Projects 1959 edsel ranger build

10 days ago, I bought this car. Thought this would be a good thread, as my work continues. I have a lot of work to do. But so far I already have the interior stripped and primed, and it running off it's own power. Ice got a long way to go! But I'm excited with the progress I have made.

When I first looked at it

First day home

Interior stripped and primed

Headlights work



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Yesterday I got it running and moving under it's own power! Looking for parts! post up some pictures of your edsels!





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That should be a fun project. I Love Edsel's.

 

Yes you have made a wise choice.Solid car that you were able to get running right away.Keeps you motivated and encouraged.Will you stay with the black or go with something else?

 

I sure would like to have a front clip off of a 59 in the east Ok, east Tx, La or Ark area

 

Neat, how far are you from being able to drive it? Brakes? Gas tank? Transmission? How are the seats?

I did one last year, 59 ranger with the 292 and 3 speed manual trans. I got it driving reliable, and left the cosmetics alone. It was a fun car to drive. Not fun in a "comfortable" way, but fun in an "entertaining the observers" way.

If you put a lot of money into it, you'll never see the money again, but it will be a fun experience. If you don't put much money into it, you still won't see that money again, and it will still be a fun experience.

 

Yours is like mine. Its been fun and a good experience. Like Squirrel said, no money in it though. It really gets a lot of attention at cruise ins because most people have never seen one. Very easy to get and keep running and uses Ford parts mostly except for a few body parts. Looks like you got the big 361 V8. What tranny do you have? Mine has the 2 speed which is no thriller but very reliable.
Here is a link to several of my pics when I got mine. <iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s791.photobucket.com/user/wbedwards/embed/slideshow/59 Edsel"></iframe>

 

"Black Edsels Matter"

I have the shirt.

Oldmics

 

I got my '59 to this point a few years ago but has not been finished yet, one more project on the list somewhere. I had to make the lower quarter panels, they are not available new. But it's a neat looking car and I'm into it fairly cheap I guess, lots of trading went into this one. Will be very mild custom, lowered with the '58 color keyed caps and Turnpike Cruiser mirrors on the fenders, custom colors, dual exhaust.

What's the plan for yours?

 

You've got the original Edsel mirror too. They are rare

 

I had a '59 Ranger back in the '90s and I have a '60 now and I had four others in between. Here's a pic of my '59 Ranger. If you get a chance could you please post a close-up pic of your data plate (by the driver's door hinges)? There's a guy in California who keeps a registry of them and he may not know about yours. Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming. Good luck....

 

Looks like you got a pretty good deal on her. Good luck with her and keep us update on your work. Thanks Bruce.

 

A lot of '59 Ford parts work on the Edsel. I think Dennis Carpenter has an Edsel section in his printed catalog.

 

I have thought about doing mine red and white, I really wanted to do it turquoise and white. But the edsel look awesome red and white!

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The tranny is the big 3 speed.

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I have no brakes, the gas lines seem to be working, but haven't had much time to really look at them. The transmission is good, and shifts smooth. But I'm sure it needs a service. The seats are rough. I will be getting the re-upholstered, I'm thinking tuck and roll.

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I love edsels. I'm a 15 year old girl. And I've always wanted an edsel. When I found this car, I did whatever I could to get it. I am thinking about turquoise and white. But I keep seeing red and white ones, and they look so good. I want to put skirts on it as well. So I just have to wait and see how things go!

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Okay guys, here's a question for you. My data play says "AA" for the color. Which translates to "black, black" But this car is black and white. And the white appears to have been on there for a long time. The car came from Idaho. Possible cop car? Any thoughts?

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Thanks for the pic of the data plate. I agree with you about the red and white. Also, in case you're interested, the U in the serial number means that your car was built right here in Louisville, Kentucky-same as mine and the 05-A means it was scheduled to be built on January 5, 1959...

 

Look for signs of holes in the roof or body for lights and antenna or holes in the dash for the two way radio.

The floors look amazingly good for a 50's car, nice score.

 

not likely to be a cop car....

Red/white would look good, so would turquoise/white. There are lots of nice original color combinations, and also some rather ugly ones (like mine was). And you can paint it whatever color(s) you want, it's your car.

Gas tanks on 59s are a problem...I figured out how to install a cheap, new chevelle tank in mine, but you might get lucky and yours is in good condition? Be sure to clean it out well, or at least inspect the inside.

The brakes usually just need the hydraulic parts rebuilt/replaced. Wheel cylinders and master cylinder, and the rubber hoses. If the steel lines are rusty, then you need to replace them, as well. And get the parking brake working, too, for safety.

 

I suspect that my '59 Ford was a cop car in a former life. It had an extra bulb under the dash on the passenger side, a lot of extra wiring under the dash too and under the hood. Some used light bars that clipped on the rain gutters. So no holes in the roof.

I got most of my brake parts at Rock Auto, but did convert the fronts to disc and used a dual master.

 

Hey! This is awesome! I've always wanted an Edsel too, there's a website that has everything you'd need to know about Edsels! http://www.edsel.com/pages/edsel59.htm


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Yes my gas tank works. But I will definitely clean it out good anyway. My emergency brake does work, but I do need to look further in to my brakes and see why they won't work. Thank you for the tips!

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I have looked for holes in the doors, as well as on the rear fenders. I have found nothing. The roof looks like it might have had possible holes for lights, the doors look like they might have had decals on them at one point. I'm hoping to sand the dead paint off the car and paint it soon, so I will know for sure. The floor is in very nice shape. Just one little hole that will need to be patched and that's it!

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Great to know, thanks!

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Here's some inspiration for you. I've had this one since just out of high school in the early 80's and just finished redoing it last summer.

 

I know of one local Wisconsin police station that had a '58 Edsel as a squad car, and a green 2 door hardtop to boot! The station bought it really cheap as it was an unsold leftover at a local dealership. It was being restored when I saw it.

What year/model Chevelle was that? I have a '70 Cutlass tank that looked like it will fit in mine pretty easily but it's an old one that had been boiled out and sealed and I'd much rather just buy a new one to avoid issues. If a Chevelle tank fits better (maybe they're the same as the Cutlass?) I'll go that route. A new gas tank really saves a lot of headaches on an old car.

 

I used a 65 Chevelle tank in my 59. I had to cut the filler neck so I could extend it. Also the sender for it reads backwards from a Chevy, and I added a 10 ohm resistor in series (30 ohm sender) to make it read pretty close. F is E, E is F.

 

E is for Enough
F is for Finished