1958 Edsel Villager

Up for bids is my 1958 Edsel Villager 6 Passenger Station Wagon. I bought it with the hopes of restoring it myself but have too many projects going right now between another Edsel and 2 '59 Mercury Wagons so I would like to find it a good home. It is I'd say 98% complete.

This car was bought by the previous owner in the early 80s and driven until approximately 1997 when the owner wanted to do a full restoration. Unfortunately between the beginning of the body work. the previous owner did professional body work and had possibly replaced the drivers side door sills and installed a new rocker panel. He stripped the car clean of its trim but then the project took a back seat to another '58 Villager 9 passenger wagon. While on that car. the gentleman unfortunately found he was terminally ill and passed away. The car appears to be unmolested except that the original Teletouch Automatic Transmission controls have been replaced with the correct 1958 Edsel Column shift control for the Fordomatic type transmission.

After decoding the dataplate. I spoke with my friend. Edsel historian Phil Skinner and he said the following:

“Of the 2. 94 Villager 6-passenger station wagons produced for 1958. I have recorded 197 of them. I have color code information for 193 and out of that total. this is the only Villager 6-passenger wagon ever found in this color-trim combination. In fact it is the ONLY station wagon for 1958 I have found in this attractive color combo. Truly unique. ”

Phil owns the world's greatest Edsel registry. recording over approx. 11. 00 Edsels. or 10% of all production 58. 59 and 60.

Of over 11. 00 cars recorded. It is the only 1958 Edsel Station Wagon in this color combination known to exist.

W8ET700940- Fairly early production. scheduled Edsel #940 built at the facility.

The dataplate shows that this car was built at the Mahwah. NJ Edsel plant scheduled on August 1. 1957.

Of all the Edsel plants. the Mahwah plant built approx. 6200 Edsels. and of Edsels still in existence. the Mahwah built ones are one of the rarest due to being sold throughout the northeast US. being exposed to harsh road salt winters and rendering most of these cars rotten and scrapped by the 1980's.

Interior Code: BA - White boxcalf vinyl bolsters with Light Green vinyl inserts

This Villager is equipped with the following:

E400 361 cu. In. V8 engine (Turns over freely. has never been locked up)

For the past 15 years or so the car has sat out behind his shop until I acquired it this past year. The car has rust in the hood. front fenders. I would suggest replacing fenders and hood) passengers side floor (same floor pans as 57 and 58 Ford). passengers side rocker panel (same as 57 and 58 Ford). and a small area around one of the cargo area body mounts and below one of the taillights. The tailgate is also in need of rust repair (same as 57 Ford). The spare tire well is rust rot free. The wagon specific quarters are solid.

While it sat. unfortunately it had the radiator stolen out of it and since the trim was stripped off it for bodywork. the stainless “V” trim that goes on the front doors was misplaced as well as one of the thin strips that go on the window sill of the passengers rear door. I put all of the trim the car has on it in the photos to show how complete it is. It is missing the hood ornament however the base is still there yet damaged. The taillight lenses are damaged and need to be replaced. The passengers side glass is cracked however they are all flat so worst case scenario a local glass shop could replace them but a good front door FoMoCo glass is included.

The windshield wiper motor and wiper transmission have been removed from the car however are included. I took photos of all the parts the car comes with. some of the parts have been removed beginning the restoration process and others are extra. I was told that the jack may be correct for this wagon. as it does contour the rear bumper correctly as it is wagon-specific. and that is included.  

The drivetrain in this car is good as the engine turns over and the car was driven and registered until the restoration process had began. The frame is solid. The odometer shows 49. 82 which may be original mileage. judging by the seats fairly decent but dirty condition and it being a Vermont car until 1997 when the owner moved to North Carolina. The door panels are in good condition. I believe they don't need to be replaced. This vehicle comes with a clear 1997 Vermont registration. which is equivalent to a title as cars in Vermont built in 1958 do not have titles. It also does come with its original set of Edsel keys and matching locks. I forgot to add the key fob shows evidence that this Edsel was sold used at a Rambler dealer in Pennsylvania in the early 60's. If you have any questions. please ask!

Thanks. Ben.

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