1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Retractable Hardtop

In post-recession 1958, Ford sales were down compared to 1957, but Ford Dealers still sold a respectable 14,713 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable Hardtops. Following the same style as the previous year, the 1958 Ford Fairlane Retractable used the same basic body panels as the the 1957 Ford Skyliner, but the front and rear clips were enhanced substantially. With a new front bumper and mesh grill, and 4 headlights instead of just 2, the 1958 Ford Fairlane had a wider more aggressive look. At the rear, the '58 fenders now held 4 taillights in 2 "pods", similar to Ford's new 4 passenger Thunderbird. 1958 Ford Skyliners were 1" longer and roughly 180 lbs. heavier than the previous year, depending on which engine you ordered (from the standard 292ci V8 - 212bhp and new 332ci engines, to the asphalt-rippin' 352ci "Interceptor" motor putting out 300 bhp!). Mechanically, the new 332 and 352ci motors received larger valves, larger bearings and a stronger molded (instead of forged) crankshaft. Structurally, new reinforcement bars were incorporated into the Retractable's Hide-Away top, to correct metal flexing issues that were reported with some 1957 Skyliners. In the styling department, the 1958 Ford Skyliner showed off a new "indented scoop" in the hood like the rest of the 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 models. And new wider "swoosh" molding with an anodized gold insert, ran along the sides panels. New for 1958, was the optional ($197) Cruise-o-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission - Ford's first major transmission offering since 1951! Other options included Polar-Aire air conditioning ($271), dual 4-barrel carbs, dual exhaust and the mildly complicated Ford-Aire "air suspension" system ($156) that rode on rubber air bags at each wheel that were inflated by an on-board air compressor! Like it's 1957 and 1959 brethren, the 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Retractable Hardtop is an engineering wonder and a Classic example of 1950's exuberance and flamboyant automotive styling.
Length: 211.0"
Height: 56.0"
Width: 78.5"
Weight: 4094 lbs.
Wheelbase: 118"
Production: 14,713 units
Base Price: $3175
Wheel Size: 5.5x14"
Tire Size: 8.00x14"
Ground Clearance: 7.5"
V8: 292 ci 2bbl (212 bhp)
V8: 332 ci 4bbl (240 bhp)
V8: 332 ci 2x4bbl (265 bhp)
V8: 352 ci 4bbl (300 bhp)
 
1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Retractable
in Colonial White #M0524
Gulfstream Blue Interior in
1958 Ford Skyliner Retractable
1958 Ford Retractable Hardtop
Luggage Bin in Trunk
1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Retractable
Hide-Away Top Mechanism



Enclosed Auto Transport services for the some of the finest classic automobiles in the world Reasonably priced and reliable classic car insurance for your vintage auto, truck, motorcycle or boat






Go to the Classic Cars Photo Gallery main page.
Return to the MadChrome.com home page.

www.MadChrome.com
copyright © 2011- MadChrome.com
All content contained within this site is the property of MadChrome.com, and may not be copied or reproduced
by anyone for any purpose, without explicit permission from MadChrome.com.