Hey Folks! Well - I did it - I bit the bullet, and bought the Villager I mentioned in my previous thread. She aint perfect - but she's mine....the paint is a good 20 footer. She has some very VERY minor rust - nothing through - and only in parts that are easy to fix (bottom of doors). She is pretty much all there. There were some hacks done to it by a previous owner. The radiator is NOT original and needs to be replaced. It's missing the turn-signal quadrant. A few bits of trim - which I've already have lined to get from another guy. Mechanically - nothing TOO scary. The engine has a miss - but the plugs are not oily or sooty. I think there's a stuck valve on number 6. Nothing big. That's fixable. No major smoking - and no blow by. Other than that she ran fine - shifted fine - and braked fine. She has the original 332. It also has - 2 barrel carb - which is SHOT. You could wiggle the jets. It came with an extra carb which will need to be rebuilt. The only major issue cosmetically is the grill. Someone hit something - and all the chrome bent. I double checked all the braces and mounts - nothing bent there save for one bumper mount. I have a complete replacement grill lined up as well. The one cool thing she sports is factory air --- the Polar Air with the Edsel "E" embossed on the top. Also all the interior window trim is chromed - and i have all but one piece. I had never seen that before (see pics). Some paint and minor body work on the rust areas, some mechanical work, and she'll be cruising along fine - and then the minor mods will begin as I drive her! I also got her for a great GREAT price - and the seller was VERY kind to let me have her at that price. He'd had issues trying to sell it - and in the end figured since I bugged him and was so serious about the car - it must be fate. VERY kind! Anyway - enjoy the pics - and I will keep you all posted.
Thanks Thunder Rocket! I've been watching the Edsel Longroof's threads - and Edsel Lover's thread - and have a LOT of drool stains on my keyboard LOL.... She's pretty solid - but has a LOT of little things that need to be fixed. Hood latch Door latches Weather Stripping Radiator Grill Minor trim Tail Light Lenses Cable Control Issues Wiper Motor Carb Engine Exhaust Front End.... The list goes on. There go my bored and slow evenings! LOL! But...no major rust Body and paint are presentable Interior is pretty OK (needs cleaning - fixing) Runs - drives - steers stops I guess in reality - everything else is gravy!
so you going out cruising fry tonight? looks like it might not rain....I might text some of the guys, see if they're up for it
Drugasm....I noticed you didn't clarify positive or negative attention! Lol Already got the 'you're number one salute' for taking a turn slowly Squirrel....I will as soon as it's shipped home and I get a few things sorted out on it! Super stoked!
Drugasm....I noticed you didn't clarify positive or negative attention! Lol Already got the 'you're number one salute' for taking a turn slowly Squirrel....I will as soon as it's shipped home and I get a few things sorted out on it! Super stoked!
Dood, that's is in AWESOME shape! Now, you going to use this thread to post yer fellow HAMBers/Edsel-lovers on progress? Good score.
Love the car. You won't meet yourself driving down the highway for sure. FANTASTIC base material for a killer cruiser! Congrats!
jimi - but of course I'll post updates - etc. I love following other people's threads on their own progress. Since some of them slowed down - I decided to pick up the slack and start one myself....j/k! She's solid - very little rust. Tiny bit on the drivers rear fender lip - minor bubble - and some minor bubbling on the drivers side lower doors exterior skin only. That's it! Mechanical - well - she drove straight and had about 6 inches of slop in the steering. All the window felt is gone from all four doors, as are the rubber stops on all four doors - so....it was a little rattly of a ride!
Congrats. It looks like a solid wagon. I ran into one of these wagons in a small junkyard about 1/2 an hour from where I live. Let me know If you need anything yarded off of it.
OK Folks - I'm researching like mad so I am prepared when the Edsel gets home. What kind of headers do I get for the dual exhaust setup? Or do I use the stock exhaust manifolds and go from there? Any source for a gasket kit / rebuild kit for the stock 2sp auto? Also I'm trying to determine a good source for a new radiator? I've already found Mac's parts website....impressed on parts availability!
A few more pics I can NOT wait for it to get home. Notes: Pics of the rear - I already the curved chrome piece and backup light replacements on order! Need to locate "E" and "S" and some lenses. Pic of the AC Unit. The embossed Edsel "E" above the "MAX" setting dial Pic of the Front: Note the damage - center is pushed in - missing pieces on the other parts.
Its really tight between the FE and the steering box. That manifold is specific, I just got one from "Flat Top Bob"
That's a pretty fine 59! As for exhaust, save yourself the headaches and just keep the factory exhaust manifolds on it.
heh, a grill only a mother could love. i dig wagons, so its all good. looks like a solid car, and should be lots of fun. sure do not see a lot of them on the road. rock on. chris.
I also would just recommend keeping the stock manifolds. If you are looking for more power look elsewhere ha ha. Good luck on the parts hunt....
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