American Car Spotters Guide - 1958

American car designs for 1958 featured new high-scolloped tail fenders, low, wide body lines and full-length "dollar grin" radiator grilles. General Motors spent over $730 million dollars on re-tooling and assembly of its production hoping to recapture the boom market of 1955 / 1956. It shaped up as a year in which there would be a real battle between G.M., Ford and Chrysler, the "Big Three".

Most of the 1958 designs featured double headlights and very low silhouettes. The length of G.M. cars for 1958 was about 9 in. greater overall and, on Chevrolet, air- suspension was offered for the first time. Most of the G.M. line had about 300 b.h.p. and top speeds round the 108 to 118 m.p.h. mark. Improved suspensions and transmissions were also featured.

For 1958 the traditional Buick port¬holes were missing for the first time in many years and the lines of the car were much cleaner. Buick were attempting to regain third sales place which it had lost in 1957 to Plymouth. Oldsmobile also undertook a cleaning up process and for 1958 had optional engines available with outputs up to 312 b.h.p. The Olds also got the air-suspension ride.

American Motors discontinued production of Nash and Hudson cars, while the Rambler remained as the sale produce in the motor car field. The lines of the 1958 Rambler Station Wagon offered more individuality than perhaps any of the other makes, with the exception of Chrysler products.

Five from Ford

There were five new models by Ford of America for the 1958 sales race. Bold styling changes were made throughout the range and there was also the extreme-design Edsel. All 1958 models were fitted with twin headlights, in some models in horizontal line and others in near vertical line. Air-suspension was available on all models as an optional extra. Fuel injection was not yet available on Ford cars, and the 1958 models had improved carburation only. Power was increased through the series. The "Six" cylinder model remained available. For 1958 the Ford Thunderbird was a four-seater with a very hot engine. But Ford's hottest product was the Lincoln which was putting out 390 b.h.p.

Beautiful New Chryslers

After their great leap in sales for 1957 the Chrysler products were set to dominate in a market which was insisting on advanced styling. The new Chrysler range was beautiful and, here at Unique Cars and Parts, we feel they lead the field. Engine powers were also way up, for average models the power output was around the 335 b.h.p. mark while on the Imperial power went up to 390 b.h.p. The engines were new and other changes to the cars included new headlights, tail lights and radiator grilles. A new bubble windscreen was also fitted to increase general all- round vision. Optional on Chrysler's Imperial were 11.00-14 tyres, claimed to be the largest passenger car tyres in the world.

Oldsmobiles New Type Radio

The 1958 Oldsmobiles were fitted with a then new type of radio - all transistor, and portable. The radio would slide out from its dash mounted housing so that it could be used as a portable battery-operated type. When replaced into the dash for driving, the radio would plug in automatically to the cars electrical system, and it even featured a self locking mechanism to help prevent theft. It weighed only 3lb., was 6.5 inches long, 4.5 inches wide and 2 inches deep, and came standard with dry cell batteries that would provide around 160 playing hours when the radio was used outside the car. A chrome plate flipped down to cover the dashboard slot when the radio was taken out.

Suddenly It's 1960

That was the slogan used in 1957 to boost sales and the experts were predicting that the same slogan would hold good for them again in 1958. But passenger car sales during 1958 were down again, to just over 4½-million. Truck sales were down also, to under 900,000. General Motors and Ford may have been celebrating their golden anniversaries, but it was not a great year in thd showrooms. Ford commemorated theirs, i.e. their Model T's, by reassembling a 1909 'Tin Lizzy', and produced their 50-millionth vehicle. Ford also introduced the Edsel car, which featured push button automatic transmission controls in the centre of the steering wheel, self-adjusting brakes and other attractions.

The car did not live up to Ford's expectations, however, and was discontinued in November, 1959. Chrysler Corp. produced its 25-millionth vehicle. Most 1958 cars had dual headlights with four 5inch 'Sealed Beam' units. Air suspension was optional equipment on all General Motors' car makes and both Chrysler and Cadillac offered a device designed to hold a car at a preselected speed - a precursor to modern day cruise control. Studebaker-Packard decided to drastically curtail their production programme and to concentrate on their new Lark compact car.

Also see: 1958 Automobile Ads Published in the USA