Vehicle Description
1959 Edsel Villager Station Wagon
During his early childhood, Edsel and his father worked side by
side on cars. Later on, Edsel became more fascinated by the shapes
of automobiles than by their inner workings. As a teenager, he
built several speedsters, mostly T-based. Edsel was indulging in a
common pastime of the day, one shared by quite a few young men with
money, the difference being that Edsel had an unlimited supply of
parts. This love of styling and building cars would come in very
handy as time went on. As for the actual car, buyers didn't
purchase the Edsel, because it was a bad or ugly car. They didn't
buy it because it didn't live up to the expectations the company
created in the prior months with the epic advertising campaign. So
actually, the first failure occurred for the Ford Edsel before
anyone even saw the automobile.
For consignment, an original Edsel Villager Station Wagon, kept in
dry storage for the last 30 years and part of a larger collection,
but never shown to the public. Thought to be mostly original this
car presents with patina and early pre-Mercury class that the
eventual line took on.
Exterior
Not perfect but certainly solid as President Red bathes this long
and mighty car, with straight steel panels, and decently minded
gaps. A Snow White spear trimline runs the length of the car at the
belt line. A Snow White hardtop, and lower tailgate trim are seen
as well. With the dual headlights flanking the horizontal grille
ends, and the iconic vertical center known as the "toilet seat" or
"vulva" grille, it was either loved or hated. This one presents in
good condition, as does the grille, and chrome bumpers. A wrap
around windscreen fronts a massive chrome trimmed greenhouse topped
by the Snow White metal roof. The rear of the car sports a tailgate
and a pop-up rear window for easy access to the cargo area. (no 3rd
row of seats on the Villager). All badging and brite-work is
correct and attached and in good condition throughout, as over
embellishment abounds, right down to the complex design and the
Edsel oval logo chromed side view mirrors.
Interior
This spacious interior with 2 full benches and seating for a
comfortable 6, is covered in textured gold puff cloth and red
vinyl, all in used but good condition with no rips our tears. A
textured thin pile carpet in red covers the floors, and the cargo
area is painted metal with a flip up panel for the spare. (which is
nonexistent on this car). The dash takes design queues from the
overall design with a rectangular starburst style speedometer, with
2 oval gauge/warning light clusters below it. This if fronted by a
3 spoke steering wheel, all original and a shift lever on the
column and the steering wheel push buttons done away with for this
year. The red metal and shiny chrome dash continues across the
front bench with heater controls, an AM radio, clock which still
works! and a large glovebox. The massive headliner is tight and has
chrome panel dividers curved to match the ceiling. Door panels show
some wear and tarnishing of the vinyl, but typical use for an
original car this age.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood we note an assumed original engine that does
look like it has been restored. Noted are new hoses and valve
covers and air cleaner cover have retained their silver matte
factory spray. All in its 332ci V8 glory, it starts quickly and
runs smoothly after some warmup time. This engine is topped by a
2-barrel carburetor, and a 2-speed Mile-o-Matic (don't you just
love these 50's transmission names?!) automatic transmission.
Undercarriage
With loads of rustproofing spray, still black it is hard to tell if
it is over spraying rust, however based on the condition of the
rest of the car we can only assume it is rust free. Structure seems
sound, floorpans are sprayed but solid. Drum brakes are all around
and lower door panels are clean, and have good rubber weather
stripping, and are rust free.
With an intensive interest in my test driving this vehicle not only
for this description, but having accomplished the drive, I can say
I drove an Edsel. What I discovered is a smooth cloud like ride,
smooth shifting of the 2-speed, and good acceleration after a
warmup. I also noted that something is awry in the driver's front
wheel area, whether it be a wheel bearing or something with the
suspension. There is also a pretty good pull to the left when the
brakes are applied. I noticed the brakes were sticking, and when
you first drive away, the car tends to stick a bit until it gets
going. But hey, after 30 years in a dry storage environment, and 60
years old, she's looking really good for her age, and in the scope
of things, these are minor problems.
VIN Decode
B9UT713388
B-332 CUI V8
9-1959
U-Louisville, KY Assy Plant
T-Villager 4 Door 6 Passenger Station Wagon
713388-Sequential Unit Number
Warranty Tag
BODY-71F=Villager 4 Door 6 Passenger Wagon
COLOR-FE1=President Red & Snow White
TRIM-31=White & Red Vinyl With Gold Puff Cloth
DATE-12M=December 12, 1959 Build Date
TRANS-3=Mile O Matic 2 Speed
AXLE-1=3.10 Gears
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
