Old car story: Gene and our Edsel Wagon

Part of what I like about old cars is the story behind each one. I always think about who picked that particular one off the dealers lot, what house they went home to, what news came across that old radio, and where they are now...

In the early 1990's I saw a wierd looking old car in someone's back yard when their gate blew open. I realized it was an Edsel wagon but didn't think I'd ever seen one before.

I knocked on the door. The lady said "I'd love for you to buy it, but I don't think it's for sale" As it turns out, it was owned by her next door neighbor who "temporarily" parked it in her yard about 15 years before. The neighbor was about 70 years old and said he was going to start fixing it up soon.

I watched it sit there for 15 more years.

Inspired by the "longroof" thread here on the HAMB, I went back last year and knocked again.

Same old lady but 15 years older. "Go next door and tell him I said he has to sell it to you"

I go next door and see Gene again. We talk, he's now 86 and has owned the car since about 1965 but it's not for sale, he still has plans of fixing it up someday when he has more time. I asked if I could at least look at the car. We walk over to his neighbor's yard.

Calling his bluff, I offer to help him fix it. He said he's just too busy.

It had plates that expired in 1977. I pointed out the car hadn't been driven in 30 years and I had stopped by 15 years before. I asked if he's going to let it sit another 15 years. "I'll be 100 then" he said. "Well, then when are you going to fix it?" I asked.

With perfect timing, the old lady comes out into her yard: "Gene you better sell this car to this young man (I'm 43) , he's been very patient"

I offered $500, he said $2,500. I offered $1000, He said $2,500
I paid $2,500

I told him I'd bring it back when it was running. I lost his phone number so we haven't talked in the last year. Yesterday we took the car out for it's first big drive down the freeway since it's been running again. So Sunday, we just showed up.

I knocked on the door, he answered, recognized me and my son, and charged past us, wearing only his boxer shorts and ran out to street to see the car. he kept saying "I can't believe it", and "oh my god" and wiping away tears from his eyes. He told me about how he and his late wife used to travel all over and go camping in the car.

Still in his underwear, he goes next door and starts banging on the neighbors door. "Come out here, you gotta see this"

She sees me and trots past me to the street. "God bless you" "You've done a wonderful thing" and "Good Lord" she keeps saying while looking at the car. She goes to get her camera and starts taking pictures. Me, my 9 year old son and an 87 year old man in his underwear. Despite the obvious, it was pretty cool; I felt like it wasn't MY car, it belonged to all of us, him, me and my son, I'm just the current, but temporary caretaker.

We stayed about 30 minutes, it ended up with something I know a lot of you HAMB'rs might appreciate. He said "You've done such a great job with the car, but I have to say I'm not too sure about those wheels..."

 

Looks like all it needs is a session with a grinding wheel and a coat of paint to look great!

 

The wagon looks great. I wouldn't paint it i'd just drive the hell out of AS-IS. What did you have to do to get it going again after all those years sitting? I am going to try my best to get my Edsel back on the road this summer. Here's a few pics of it.

Great story too, your son will never forget that...EVER!

Later,
Kevin

 

We had it at a car show yesterday, half said "Promise me you'll never paint this car" and the gold chainers from the Corvette section said "It'll be nice when you paint it"
Irregardless of anyone's opinion, it is staying like it it.

It wasn't too bad getting it running, The engine was not stuck but I did the Mystery oil in the cylinders, changed the oil, rebuilt the carb, put in a battery and it immediately fired up and sounded pretty good. The tank was full of gas that looked like honey, the water pump was stuck and all the brake cylinders were shot. Lots of small stuff but It didn't need anything major.

 

This is a great story. Just great.

 

Great job, way to go remembering the old man. I bet he is still talking about it.

s.

 

Really a great story the history of a car and its previous users give it some feeling of you being a bigger part of it. Maybe you will be able to keep stopping by the good man that finally sold it . Even i agree though would have been better if you got it for the $500 .

 

That is a great story, I just love reading stories like this. I'll bet the old guy has pictures of the car and perhaps his family around the car when he purchased it or on a family vacation. I would make friends with the guy and ask him. Old guy's are kool. Everybody seems to forget that they were young once.

 

Awesome. Stories like that are probably the BEST part of this hobby (obsession?)...

 

Very cool story. Hope you and your son enjoy the **** out of it..............He may be 86, but he's right about the wheels...

 

I'm with tragic59........great story. Nice ride.

Paco

 

Cool story,,now you gotta go back to the ladys house and get a copy of of the picture,,,,,,,,you,your son and the ol' guy in his boxers! HRP

 

That story with a few more pics and text would be great in some of the magazines, like Rod & Custom. Great story, I've had simular experiances with other projects I've had in the past, taking them over to the previous owner after getting it going. Like the color of the car too, is it a 59?? Looks like it to me.

Unibodyguy

 

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but stories are priceless. Thanks for another good one.

 

awesome.

 

Great, great story. It was nice of you to take it back and show it to him and his neighbor. Enjoy.
G***er Girl

 

"Me and an 87 year old man in his underwear"

if i had a nickel for every time this happened to me...

 

I'm going to visit him again in a few weeks.
I'll bring my digital camera and make him put some clothes on so we can get some decent pictures.

 

I'd go take him to lunch from time to time.
I'm sure he has plenty of stories to tell.

I have a '59 Villager too.

Thanks for posting this.

 

great story, thanks for sharing.

 

I know this is an old thread but, I thought it was great of you to take the car back and let the man enjoy it once more. My hat's off to you...

 

Thanks-
Everyone says they'll do that "someday" , but it rarely makes it onto the to-do list.

 

Update to this story:

I got a phone from Gene a few days ago. He said our visit and seeing the Edsel on the road again was the highlight of his whole year.

Yes, I took the subtle hint and we will be visiting him again soon.

 

SO FANTASTIC!!!!

I LOVE Edsels.

An unloved great old car.

Can't wait to get mine back on the road this Summer.

 

Great story! Whatever you do, never, I mean NEVER paint that car! It is far beyond cool leaving it the way it is now.

 

Thats a great story.Sounds like you really blessed that guy. My brother had a 59 Edsel wagon a few years back...that was a fun surf wagon. They look real good lowered about 3". Have fun working on it with your son.

 

Great story.It all seems more satisfying to give back.Better than any trophy you may get.

 

Update:

After 3 years, Gene (age 90!) and the Edsel are both still going and we still stay in touch. I need to take the Edsel over to visit him again.

 

Thanks for the awesome story, more pictures and more follow-up stories would be great!

 

too cool.