Projects My 59 edsel wagon build.

One of my 2 Edsel Wagons.
I had a 3rd, a 58 Roundup 2 door wagon, but sold it to someone who could do it justice.

As found:



Cleaned up:


Next: 100% straight and rust free but needs engine:



Sold, and getting a full restoration:

 

section8, thanks for the shots. Really cool cars. That 59 looks good blue. your stuff looks like its in better condition than the one I have. But I got it cheap.
are those 15 in. wheels you used.

I cant get the front doors to open from the outside??? I took the latches out on both sides, even bought some better outside handles, but the outside button does nothing. When I have the outside handle off and push the rod up and down with my hand it does nothing but moves the inside lock????? Both sides are the same. I have yet to figure it out

 

Look up a thread here on the HAMB called "Old car story: Gene and our Edsel Wagon "



I've had lock and latch issues too, I never had to repair anything, just take them apart and clean and lube.


The wheels are 15", they actually came from a Bronco II but any mid-size Ford stuff will fit. I went with the 15's since 14 tires are getting hard to find, and if you look around, you can find a lot of good used 15" whitewalls.

 

This starts year 2 of my build story.
I wanted to keep it all on one post.

THis last summer the edsel has been behind the garage covered up while I was having fun in the 39 and 46 ford.

We made it to Beatersville, Hot Rod Reunion, Road rocket Rumble, The Road Rocket Drags at Beanblossum, and The Redneck Rumble and the VooDoo HooDoo.
This summer was a blast. But now the drivers are parked for the winter and work resumes on "MR. ED".

 

This time I am doing the drivers floor and rockers.
Here is what I have to work with. I post these pictures to give other people with rust buckets hope. Its a lot of work but I will get all this fixed. It may not be a real professional job, but it will be good enough for me.

 

I am just finishing up the floors on my '59 Villager.
I have to be done with this beast by April 1st, so we have a ride to Viva.

Looking forward to seeing your end result.

 

This is the drivers rocker. Its actually a skin that someone screwed on to "fix" them before

Here are the early stages of cutting out rust.




This is where im having to build a frame to body floor support, or something like that.


I just keep cutting a little at a time and found a part of the toe board needs patched.
This is the point to where there isnt much structure left and I am thinking,"OH CRAP".

 

This week I got my christmas lights put up, went to the sheet metal shop and got some more metal, and got my lp tanks filled for my heaters. and also went to get my Tetnis shot updated.
I should be able to spend some time in the garage now., maybe

 

My Wagon is crusty at the same places, all 4 floors. I do the same at the moment.

 

Olds 79,
Looks like your in deeper than I am , doing a frame off.
Are there any other Edsels in your area. You dont really see that many in the states.
There is a guy that drives his to work all the time. He has given me some leftover parts from his, which every little part helps.

 

Hi Greg,
I do the frame off on my 59 Corsair 2 door about the last 6 years. But now it was time to bye one to drive. Here in Germany are not so many other Edsel. I know about 2 other 59 Wagons some other 59 but no 2 door Corsair Hardtop Coupe. And some out of 58.

One other question to you: Did you make the body floor support by your own?

Guido

 

Yes, I made the floor supports. I bought the floor panels, which dont cover the whole floor, and the outer rocker panels. everything else I have to make. I am working on it today, just came in for lunch.

 

I have the 6 Floor Panels too, the outer rocker panels were installed by another owner. All the other parts I must do also by my self. I think tomorrow I show some pics of my crusty floor ;-)

 

Here is my crusty floor in front:

 

Damn guys, there was me thinking that the pans in my 59 Ford wagon weren't holding up to well having spent 20 years over here in wet old England!!!! greg great looking work there mate gives me some inspiration to make a start on my driver side panel work. Made all the panels for the other side last year, inner & outer rocker, wheel arch & lower 1/4. Keep up the great work.

 

Looks great man keep up the good work.

 

Wow, looks like you are keeping busy this winter at least.

 

Nice work Greg!.....even though it's a lot of work, it is nice to accomplish what we can on our own.....I'm a HUGE long roof addict and especially fond of the late 50's models, Fords/Edsels being on the top of the list!....I'm currently searching for my next project and hope it'll be a wagon of some kind!.....consider me suscribed and I'll be following your build.....good luck!....later, Doug

 

Thanks guys,
Olds79, I feel your pain,lol.

longrooftim, There are cars that are better than this one, but in Indiana everthing I have done so far, 39,& 46 ford, they all need rockers and floor repair.

Here are some shots of the structure around the A pillar. So far everything is held with sheet metal screws until everything is lined up. very little welding at this point.
I have worked all day, and some previous days, trying to get the doors to line up. But I believe I have it.






This is the floor brace between A and B pillar.


And this is the B pillar floor brace. you can see where I need to rebuild the bracing on the outside lower of the B pillar.

 

I have always liked Edsel wagons I really like the Blk exterior and red interior. Good luck!

 

I got to spend a lot of time in the garage this weekend.
I got the drivers rocker panel welded in.
Had to repair the area in front of the LR wheel.


A view from inside the wheelwell.



and a view from inside the car.


and a couple views of the rocker panel.

 

nice job!

 

Today I welded in the drivers front floor.

This is the floor area ready for the new metal.


The new patch panels are close. but thats about it.
There needed to be more of a kick in one area. the patch panel had less than 1/4 inch in this area.
I had to cut it then bend to match the original floor, then weld in some pieces in the gaps.


The new front floor welded in.


Next is the drivers rear floor. Will this never end!!!!
I just couldn't stand any more today, so for today, thats it.

 

Ive been pretty buisy on the ol Edsel.
This is how much of the floor the replacement floor covers. as you can see Its not quite enough to cover the bad.

I started making the rest of the floor from scratch. this one little part was a little tricky.

 

Here are the steps I took for the next area.

 

Wow, realy good job!

 

Enjoyed catching up on your build thread. Thanks for posting.

 

I havent checked out your thread in awhile , you are makin great progress !!

 

This is a low lying area and the panel I plan to install. This area on the drivers side just had a couple of small holes that I welded up. This one needed more.


Here is a view of the same area with ALL the holes welded up.


A view from the door openings. I still have to finish sand the whole floor to prep for sealer, and make the door seal plates and weld them in after sealing inside the rockers.

 

OK guys, I have made some great progress.
The floor is done, done, done!!!!!!!!
I hope this thread shows other people that anything can be fixed.
I still have a loooong way to go. I guess if you buy a rust free car to start with, then that is where im at now after 2 winters of work.
here are a few pics.






I had to repair the rear of the front fender.
there was screen door wire holding in the bondo.
I made the patch in 3 pieces. why, i dont know, it just turned out that way.