- Seller: Ann J (Contact)
- Location: Rancho Cucamonga, California
- Mileage: 02060.9 Shown
- Chassis #: H8LC137574
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 352 cui V8 Interceptor
- Transmission: Automatic
Motor Life magazine summarized the situation at Ford best in their February 1958 road test of a new Fairlane: After an all-new and wildly successful 1957 model, Ford took “a rather unprecedented step” in introducing “a radically facelifted and re-engineered car.” Unfortunately for Ford, the results weren’t quite the same; after battling with Chevy in 1957 for sales leadership for the first time since 1935, Ford introduced their heavily restyled ’58 into a market where everyone’s sales plummeted (except Rambler’s). In that recessionary year, some lucky buyer purchased this beautiful Raven Black Fairlane 500 Sunliner and ordered just about everything on the option list, including the big, new 352 “Interceptor Special” V8. The late owner’s wife is selling this black plate convertible as a no reserve Barn Finds Auction located in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
A mere four years after releasing their new “Y-Block” overhead-valve V8, Ford launched the new FE engine (which stood for Ford-Edsel, as those two divisions would be primarily using that architecture). The top-of-the-line FE was the 352 four-barrel pictured here, which was rated at 300 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque. When optioned with the Cruise-O-Matic, as this one is, Ford specified a tall 2.69:1 axle ratio, which hampered the power of the new engine a bit. Ford’s intention was to offer solid performance with good economy, but Motor Life would have preferred the performance; their road test recorded a zero-to-sixty time of 10 seconds, but they felt that a time closer to nine seconds (or less) would have been within grasp with a less economy-oriented gear. As a collector, however, I’d be delighted with the tall gear. I like to drive my old cars as much as I can, and a highway-oriented axle ratio goes a long way toward keeping up with high-speed traffic.
One thing Ford didn’t change too much in 1958 was the instrument panel, which is one of my favorites of the 1950s: The crescent-shaped speedometer is perfect. The seller informs us that this car features a “Town and Country” radio and power windows. You can see that it’s a combination of red, white, and black, a perfect complement to the Raven Black paint.
The seller tells us that the car will come with its original owner’s manual and bill of sale, so you’re bidding on a car with a known history. You can tell from the pictures that you’re looking at a solid car that’s been sitting a long time in what looks to be a dry environment, so it’s quite possible that you’ll be able to give the car a good cleaning and a mechanical going-over and have a very, very nice driver-quality ’58 Ford, but as you know, nothing is certain when you’re reviving an old car. However, at no reserve, it sounds like a good bet, and if you think there’s a Ford in your future, bid now!
Bid On This Auction
Islander01 bid $11,500.00 2025-07-22 11:02:57
Mht06001 bid $10,250.00 2025-07-22 11:01:04- Islander01 bid $10,000.00 2025-07-22 11:00:49
1958Pete bid $9,600.00 2025-07-22 11:00:46- Mht06001 bid $9,069.00 2025-07-22 10:58:15
RustandDust bid $8,750.00 2025-07-22 10:57:27- Mht06001 bid $8,500.00 2025-07-22 10:50:38
- 1958Pete bid $7,500.00 2025-07-22 10:47:10
Anders bid $7,000.00 2025-07-22 10:36:52- 1958Pete bid $6,500.00 2025-07-22 10:33:13
- Anders bid $5,350.00 2025-07-22 10:29:13
- 1958Pete bid $5,250.00 2025-07-22 10:28:00
- Islander01 bid $4,750.00 2025-07-22 10:11:37
- 1958Pete bid $4,500.00 2025-07-21 15:15:59
Lenny Gray bid $3,900.00 2025-07-21 10:38:01- 1958Pete bid $3,600.00 2025-07-20 18:11:26
- Anders bid $2,500.00 2025-07-17 05:48:40
- Chokeandcroak bid $2,001.00 2025-07-16 15:37:37
- Anders bid $1,300.00 2025-07-16 12:21:00
- RustandDust bid $1,200.00 2025-07-16 09:10:21
- Anders bid $1,000.00 2025-07-16 05:14:23
- RustandDust bid $200.00 2025-07-15 09:13:52
The Edsel appears to be in better shape. Too bad this Ford would be a knock out if it were restored. Can’t be many with all the options this one has. I don’ see the A/C but it could be. Probably way more to restore it than it will be worth, but that doesn’t mean some one won’t do it.
It doesn’t have AC
Retractables & less Custom 300 models can be found fairly easily, but a true convertible `58? Not so easily. This one appears fairly solid, and yes–it’s loaded. It mentioned AC, but I don’t see the vents on the top edge of the dash, or even a hang-on aftermarket unit under the dash (?). Maybe it’s in the trunk?
Anyhoo, a very desirable `58 Ford with alot to offer! I say it’s worthy of a frame-off restoration and hope a buyer thinks so too. GLWTA!
Better to leave this one on the blocks. The 1958 Thunderbird had some style, this doesn’t do a thing for me, but I’m not biased. The fifty eight Chevy looked like a low rider before there was such a thing.
This 58 Ford make me think back to the 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 convertible that my wife and I rode around in for six hours over two day in Havana, Cuba back on January. That car was painted a non-factory PURPLE with a slightly modified white interior. But surprisingly it was powered by an early 70’s 302 Ford Small Block.
Lucky it wasn’t a boat engine or a diesel.
High School memories!! Got a Red/White one of these w/wide whitewalls for graduation from Dad in’67. It was a “field find” in Iowa. He had it redone and much to my mom’s dismay, gave it to me. They were very long legged, but used that to advantage when playing with ’57 Chevy’s. Would run the 1/4, then a flying mile to stop sign 13 miled down the blacktop road. Ford used the C4 Ford-o-matic which had a unique feature. If you started out in low, then shifted to Drive and back to low, it would lock into passing gear. Would start in low, lock in 2nd and catch up to the Chevy just over a 1/4 mile. Would run beside them till around 90, then shift into Drive. All they saw were taillights after that. They were a boat at near 5000#, but the 351 could push the speedometer past 120 with no problem. Otherwise a real plus were the BIG back seats for going to the drive-in. Too far away and wrong color for me, but will make a great ride for the lucky bidder, or their teenage son.
Cool memories. I remember hearing stories about the son of a family friend, who in later years confessed to racing his Dad’s ‘56 Country Sedan (!) and using that shifting trick to hold it in second. Showed tailights to a lot of tri five Chevies. Couple small points: not a C4 transmission, 352- not 351. Each of these came considerably later.
It takes a distinguished palate and an individual who knows exactly what he wants to take on the task of restoring a luxury liner like this. I am a restorer and I can tell you this: Once this car is done correctly, it will create a “standing room only” waiting line for any and all at every car show it graces. In a case such as this, it matters not what you paid for it, it will be a labor of love and every time you pass it in your garage count on having to stop and admire it just one more time from different angles.
I keep looking at this car and wondering how well the car will clean up. For a 67 year old car its overall condition is pretty amazing. The only bodywork needed appears to be replacing the hinges/hinge pins for the driver-side door. Once made roadworthy this car could easily be a weekend driver and rolling refurbishment project. It would be pretty cool even if it is a Ford.
Judging by the Officers base tag on the front bumper, and the fact it is a loaded convertible, you can bet the Navy officer who drove this onto the base in ’58 or whenever was a swinging .. well you know what :)
It will be beautiful once it is cleaned up
Survivor in the car world is overused and beat to death. This car deserves that description completely. I personally would make it fully functional but not restore it. Something about original cars and the character they possess.
One of my cars is a 67 Camaro rag top with the original top in worse shape than this Fords. It looks good overall but has scratches and nicks etc. If I restore it, it becomes just another of the thousands of shiny good as new Camaros.
Cars in this shape tell their own story how they were cared for.
Sold here for $11,500 and, to me, seems like a deal for what appears to be a solid car. Clean it up and get it moving before worrying about a restoration. This reminds me of Ford’s answer to Christine. Back in the early 70’s when I was in Mendocino County, CA, there was a BIG man named Dana who drove a coupe 58 Ford in red oxide primer. With the all new for 58 four headlights it looked mean as it drove down the dirt road to the ranch.
I had a twin to this in high school. Color in and out the same. Same powertrain. Even the power windows. Fun car. Sold it to get a Cadillac.
Very cool car. Personally I thought the 3524v was a dog compared to the competition. Mine was a 66 , not pushing 300hp like this 58. Maybe just 352 just could not keep up with cube wars.