Car Search

[John M]

Back in the mid to late 80s, when I was a teenager, my friends and I came across a 1958 Edsel Villager. There were a couple of other old cars in the place, one was a Hudson, I forget the model but I know it wasnt a Hornet, and I think it it was a 39 Ford. But the only one I was ever drawn to was the Edsel. What drew me to that gigantic gold and white behemoth I dont know, but my friends and I would often times drive by and check them out often, but the dealership would never sell them, even after nearly 20 years . Fast forward to 2006, I learned the building was being torn down, and before I could find out what happened to my beloved Edsel, the cars and the building were gone. Now, to my search. I have found what happened to all of the cars to a point, and hopefully one of you is the guy Im looking for. The Edsel, along with the Hudson and Ford were given to the gentlemen who tore down the building, each of them taking one. They kept them up until sometime around 2010. The company they owned shut down, they all retired and their lots and building cleared. Each car was sold at auction and the same guy bought all 3. I tracked him down, and he sold the Edsel to a gentleman who is a Ford tractor collector. He also bought 2 Ford trucks, and remnants of a Forson he has as well. He couldnt remember for sure where he was from, but said it was either West Virginia or Virginia. So my question, by chance are one of you the guy who bought this stuff from dealer in SC called Classic Cars of SC in or around 2010 - 2011. It was gold and white, with a mostly white interior with the same gold trim.

 

[teddy52food]

There was an Edsel near the deer shack that my friend was interested in. He went to look at it & see if he could buy it. But then changed his mind when he saw it full of salt blocks for the cows!

 

[miner09]

A Edsel villager is for sale now on Hemmings. Been rebuilt. You never know. Don’t remember the location.

 

[miner09]

It’s in California asking price $42,500

 

[NDIHC]

A co-worker always called Edsels "Oldsmobiles sucking on lemons"!

 

[Janicholson]

A similar era car with the Ford origin is called a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. There may be more of them to be found.

 

[Mule Meat]

"Each car was sold at auction and the same guy bought all 3. I tracked him down."

Just wondering with it being a 1958.

If you tracked down the last known buyer. Could you possibly contact him and ask if he knew or has the VIN number? If so then take the VIN number to the DMV or Police Station and ask if they could run it?

If they ask. . You could tell them that you found the VIN going through some of your grandparents old papers...

 

[John M]

"Each car was sold at auction and the same guy bought all 3. I tracked him down."

Just wondering with it being a 1958.

If you tracked down the last known buyer. Could you possibly contact him and ask if he knew or has the VIN number? If so then take the VIN number to the DMV or Police Station and ask if they could run it?

If they ask. . You could tell them that you found the VIN going through some of your grandparents old papers...

Already did. Hes the one who told me where the Edsel went. Well, where he thinks it went. He doesnt keep records more than 10 years is what he told me, BUT one of the guys who works is trying to see if by chance he kept a record on it. He very vividly remembers it, and would also like to know the outcome of it as well.

Im not looking to by another one. Im not even looking to buy this one really. I just want to know what happened to the one from my youth.

 

[Smalltowner]

A co-worker always called Edsels "Oldsmobiles sucking on lemons"!

That’s exactly what my dad always called them.

 

[Vito]

Interesting quest. Good luck

Vito

 

[ufdaland]

Been reading your old car stories and wondered if there is anyone here that would be interested in a 1992 Mercedes 300 SD. The car sold new for $68, 000 or so I'm told . I bought it in Philly and have enjoyed the car but I passed the 93 mark last month and am thinking it may be time to pass it on . I will sell for what I have invested.

 

[Goose]

I repainted and Edsel once. I kind of liked them as a vehicle, but they were hard to prep for painting. A lot of concave surfaces.

Years ago, I read a story about a guy in California who kept seeing what looked like a 1960 Ford convertible sitting in some weeds on a vacant lot. He stopped and checked it out one day and it was a 1960 Edsel convertible that someone had put Ford front end sheet metal on. It had a stick shift transmission. The fellow found the owner and acquired the car cheap.

He replaced the front end sheet metal with the proper Edsel stuff and cleaned the car up. Along the way, he did some research. 1960 was the year they stopped production on the Edsels and he found there had been 73 1960 Edsel convertibles built, at that time and Edsel club could account for 68, and only one had been built with a stick shift. And he had it. I can't imagine what that car would be worth today.

 

[Ozlander]

0 bucks 2 me.

 

[Tom in TN]

A similar era car with the Ford origin is called a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. There may be more of them to be found.

I seem to remember that the Mercury Turpike Cruiser had a rear window that was mounted verically. I think that the window was operated with a motor that allowed it to go up and down. I think that the window disappeared into the car when it was lowered. But then again, that was a long time ago and I never actually owned one of them. Anyone know for sure about that rear window?

 

[NIK OWEN]

Been reading your old car stories and wondered if there is anyone here that would be interested in a 1992 Mercedes 300 SD. The car sold new for $68, 000 or so I'm told . I bought it in Philly and have enjoyed the car but I passed the 93 mark last month and am thinking it may be time to pass it on . I will sell for what I have invested.

HOW MUCH, MILES, COLOR, WHERE?? THANX, BE BLESSED, GRATEFUL, PREPARED...

 

[Frankinfl]

I seem to remember that the Mercury Turpike Cruiser had a rear window that was mounted verically. I think that the window was operated with a motor that allowed it to go up and down. I think that the window disappeared into the car when it was lowered. But then again, that was a long time ago and I never actually owned one of them. Anyone know for sure about that rear window?

I had and uncle and cousin that owned Turnpike Cruisers. The back window was vertical and went down.

 

[showcrop]

I seem to remember that the Mercury Turpike Cruiser had a rear window that was mounted verically. I think that the window was operated with a motor that allowed it to go up and down. I think that the window disappeared into the car when it was lowered. But then again, that was a long time ago and I never actually owned one of them. Anyone know for sure about that rear window?

Yes, my aunt and uncle had one. I think that rather than vertical that the window leaned outward.

 

[560Dennis]

Interesting car story ,thanks for sharing ,good luck

 

[ufdaland]

HOW MUCH, MILES, COLOR, WHERE?? THANX, BE BLESSED, GRATEFUL, PREPARED...

4700.00, 179K, Black, Wisconsin.

 

[used red MN]

I seem to remember that the Mercury Turpike Cruiser had a rear window that was mounted verically. I think that the window was operated with a motor that allowed it to go up and down. I think that the window disappeared into the car when it was lowered. But then again, that was a long time ago and I never actually owned one of them. Anyone know for sure about that rear window?

The “Breezeway” rear window was reintroduced in the 60’s as an option on some of the other Mercury sedans. I remember a family from our country church having a Monterey with this option. I wouldn’t think it would be of much use on a dusty gravel road. This was also an option on some Lincoln models.
Breezeway Models and Years:

• 1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser:
  These models were the first to feature the Breezeway.
• Specific Models with Breezeway:
  The Breezeway was available on the Monterey, Montclair, S-55, and Park Lane models during the 1963-1968 timeframe