The 1957 model year was a big one for Ford. All its cars were redesigned and fresher in appearance. And two new models were added, the Skyliner retractable hardtop and the Ranchero wagon-based pickup. All that added up to a sales performance that bested Chevrolet for the first time in 22 years. 1958 models gained quad headlights and new taillights on the body from the year before. This two-tone ’58 Fairlane looks mighty nice, though some history on the car would be helpful. Located in a garage in Platteville, Wisconsin, this white-over-rose sedan is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,500 OBO. A nod to “Zappenduster” for the cool tip.
Just as Ford had the upper hand over Chevy in 1957 (new car vs. refreshed model), the roles were reversed in 1958. Ford had the warmed-over product while the Chevies were all-new, sporting what would be a one-year-wonder before introducing the “batwing” Bow-ties the following year. The basic drivetrain was a 223 cubic inch inline-6 with a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission, and that’s the setup in the seller’s car with a purported 70,000 miles.
The 1958 Fairlane would be the last time the nameplate was at the top of the pecking order. The Galaxie would come along as a sub-series in 1959 and take over the top spot in 1960. The moniker, which was in play from 1955 to 1970, was a nod to Henry Ford’s estate in Michigan. The seller says this car is a 4-door hardtop, but it’s really a sedan with pillars and framed glass. We’re told it runs great, thanks in part to a new clutch and radiator three years ago.
Cosmetically, the Ford looks to have been restored inside and out. The paint and interior look too nice to be nearly 70 years old with the indicated mileage. But no information along those lines is known or shared. We don’t see any wheel covers, so we assume they’re inside the trunk (for safekeeping?). If the powerplant or door count doesn’t turn you off, do you have room for this Fairlane at your estate?
I bet it’s more than a handful on the road.
The second of three cars my grandmother had while I was old enough to notice was a 58 Ford. Might have been a Fairlane, and it did have the three-speed column shift.
What it had over this example was a “Thunderbird” V8 in front of the firewall. My older brother was driving before she replaced the car with her last one, and he took me for a ride to “blow the cobs out.” Plenty of power.
It sure has a pretty face
I wouldn’t say “pretty”, but I do like the front of the 58 Fords, ever since I worked at a ranch in N California back around 1973. There was a BIG man named Dana who drove a 58 Ford tudor in red oxide primer with the V-8 and dual exhaust. It rumbled down the dirt road. I once said something that he didn’t like and all he had to do was pin me down until I apologized. No other choice if I wanted to move.
I always liked the 58’s better than the 57’s and 59’s. This doesn’t look like a bad deal for a more door car. It looks like it has new rocker panels, but an in person inspection would be a good idea. One thing I could never figure out was the different side trim on the 57 & 58 fords. I know the Tri-five Chevys, 150, 210 and Belair. But Fords for 57-58-59 I could never figure out.
Ah, (S)Platteville. Ton of history, supposedly the 1st outpost in Wisconsin. It’s hard to believe, the ’58 and ’59 were from the same company. The ’58 was a knee jerk reaction to the changing styles, and the ’59 was a refined version. What’s amazing, is ’57, ’58, ’59, ’60. ’61, were all 1 year styles, something, for the most part, we never saw again. I happened to like the ’58, these cars will continue to surface for years to come. Once again, the stick will thwart any sale, it’s a wonderful find for us, but we represent a very small percentage of who will actually want these cars in the future. Just makes you wonder how many cars like this have yet to be “discovered”. Obituaries would be a good place to start,,
A friend had a new 1958 Fairlane 500 2 door Hardtop. He ordered it with the “H” code 352 300 hp engine with manual transmission. That car was fast for the times. As it turned out, the car proved to be more than he could handle. Totaled it about a year later.
First time I’ve ever seen that type of air cleaner setup on the side of the motor. I thought the photo was upside down! LOL!
The owner of grocery store in my hometown in N Mn. must’ve had a ’59 Galaxie given the photos here. Always thought it was a ’58 until I just got educated! She paid my brother and I to eash & wax it for her. Of course in ’58 I was a strapping urchin of 4 years old!
@Jon
Bet you did a great job on those bumpers and hubcaps, Jon, as your brother washed the rest of the car. 🚗
Oh, I sure (probably) did, Angel! I don’t remember, of course, but I know Madeline was proud of the car and she liked to keep it nice. That grocery store became the senior citizen center in later years. Stay cool out there!
After the beautiful 1957, the 1958 Ford was hideous! Why change those graceful 1957 tail-lights? And the swooping 1957 side-trim was perfect for the look of the car, whereas the ’58 reverse version was awkward at best. And that 1958 grille made the front look burdened with needless weight; again, the ’57 had been just right — especially in the Canadian Meteor version, which the U.S. could simply have adopted for 1958. When you have something near-perfect, don’t mess with it! Just accommodate four head-lamps as gracefully as possible, integrated into the 1957 design, is what I would have done! And leave everything behind from the nose identical to the 1957 year, right down to the finest detail.
Well, Harrison, I gotta beg to differ with you. The ’58 Ford is a much more handsome car wearing its new and fully legal quad headlamp arrangement. The only cars that were homlier in ’57 had to be the Dodge and Plymouth, all three of which were styled in anticipation of the headlamp regs being changed for 1957. Maybe not as graceful as the ’57 but it has presence and that works for me.
Well Harrison, I don’t totally disagree as I too prefer the ’57 style. But in 1979 I bought a 1959 Custom 300 for $250 from a kid who’s mom desperately wanted it out of her yard. My wife wasn’t too happy to see it in ours, either. First thing was to unbolt the huge wing that was bolted to the trunk lid and insure that the chain substituting as a left hand motor mount for the 6 standard, was secure enough to drive the car. The 4door body was solid red (paint-brush applied, I think). What a hoot! I had a personal parking spot at work and the boss never knew what the hell might show up. Didn’t like the Ford. Sold it for $300.
Then in 1993 I bought a 1958 Meteor 2dr HT. Your right. It was a better looking car design wise and this one was NICE. Very powerful, very loud and my son loved it. Still mentions it over 30 years later. That one I should have kept.
I couldn’t agree more, Harrison! Styling, like art, is subjective, I understand that, but the ’58 was, IMO, the ugliest Ford of the decade, especially coming after the nicely styled ’57s.
Wish I had the cash I’d buy it in a heartbeat
From what I remember, the ’58 Fords were unreliable and spent much time in the repair shop. I don’t know what happened in that year with Ford.
58 Fords and their chicken wire grill, I used to think they looked tacky but now I kind of like them.
This 58 look a bit ungainly from straight on in the first pic.
Was never quite sure about 58’s though I alway liked them over a 59. But, if I had a choice I’d much prefer a stripped down 57 with a healthy FE/4spd combo under the hood. 4 doors wouldn’t bother me at all. 1 color only and very minimal chrome.
This 58 would make a sweet daily driver with the inline 6 & 3 on the tree.
Back in the day my dad had several Fords of this vintage, first being a 58 wagon he bought new. It had severe rust issues from an early age. This was in spite of being garaged in a mild climate; Oregon. It must have been that car as we also had a junky 58 sedan and don’t recall any major rust issues with any of the other Fords we had of similar vintage.
The 223 and three on the tree is a great combination. Economical with enough power to get out of it’s own way.
My dad had several Fords of this vintage, first being a 58 wagon he bought new. It had severe rust issues from an early age. This was in spite of being garaged in a mild climate; Oregon. It must have been that car as we also had a junky 58 sedan and don’t recall any major rust issues.
The 223 and three on the tree is a great combination. Economical with enough power to get out of it’s own way.
My dad had several Fords of this vintage, first being a 58 wagon he bought new. It had severe rust issues from an early age. This was in spite of being garaged in a mild climate; Oregon. It must have been that car as we also had a junky 58 sedan and don’t recall any major rust issues.
The 223 and three on the tree is a great combination. Economical with enough power to get out of it’s own way.
Well, it hurts a little, but I’m on board with Harrison on this one. 1957 saw the epitome of Ford design: the T-Bird, the Ranchero, and the magnificent Fairlane in all its iterations.
Then 1958 rolled around, and everything turned to crap till 1960.
I thought 1960 full-size Fords were ugly what with the half-moon taillights and the front end look. No thanks.
Ford’s ill-fated cousin, Edsel, looked better for 1960 — except that those vertical oval tail-lights obviously had very hastily been grafted into the Ford Fairlane sheet metal surrounding them. But the front of the 1960 Edsel was inspirationally pretty. Had it been up to me, if they were going to use the Ford sheet metal in order to save cost, then they should have designed a fancier Edsel-unique set of tail-lamps to fit into a variation on the Ford sheet metal, in the same location that Ford was using — so the Edsel tail would not have looked like a bizarre hybrid and not had styling cues which the Edsel design was neither using nor complimenting. The Ford and Edsel simply would havelooked like “relatives” from behind.
I couldn’t disagree more, the Starliner was a gorgeous 1960 Ford.
Look at the 4th photo in this listing for a slant-deck COE. The car on it leaves me in awe.
https://barnfinds.com/barn-find-emergency-truck-1958-ford-coe/
There are other Starliner examples on this site. I’m mostly a GM or certain imports guy, but I’d really like to have a Starliner to cruise in!