The 1958 model year was not a good one for the U.S. auto industry. The economy was in a downturn and that stymied car sales. From some 700,000 units sold in 1955, Buick could barely muster 242,000 vehicles in 1958. The Buick Special remained the entry-level product, and all hardtops (2 and 4-door) were referred to as a Riviera. We’re told this ’58 Special is largely original, including its two-tone paint with patina. Located in Salem, Virginia, this “Fireball” V8-powered machine is available here on eBay. The opening bid of $15,000 has had no takers, nor has anyone gone for the $19,500 Buy It Now price.

All Buicks for 1958 now had quad headlights, a new thing allowed by the DOT. The seller’s car wears them along with what might be a record amount of chrome (maybe only the Cadillac wore more). The Special was in its last year as a full-size model, disappearing until 1961 when it returned as Buick’s new compact car. The machines were large, including a 122-inch wheelbase and a platform that required a 364 cubic inch V8 (250 hp) to get the automobile from points A to B. For the times, these big cars were fast enough, able to reach 60 mph from a dead stop in 11.6 seconds. If you were easy on the gas pedal, you could squeeze out 17 mpg.

Even with a down economy, Buick managed to build and sell nearly 35,000 Special 2-door Rivieras in 1958. The seller’s car has amassed 78,000 miles which we have no reason not to believe is correct. It’s a great running vehicle that has received some recent mechanical work to keep it on the road. While the interior is mostly new (the dashboard is not with some surface rust as they were made of metal in those days), the two-tone white over copper/bronze paint is said to be from the factory. If you’re into patina, then you’ll love the paint, otherwise, you might want to send it in for a respray (and a little metal work).

Other new items include the glass, all of which has been replaced (kind of an odd project). We’re told the Buick has been garage-kept over the past five decades so that no doubt has contributed to its survivor status. Besides running well, the seller says the 2-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission shifts as it should. The owner has decided to sell the Buick to make room for his/her “dream car” – I wonder what it is!