In the automotive world of the late 1950s, the fin was king. Buick’s 1958 Limited didn’t feature enormous fins, but the company more than compensated for this potential shortcoming by loading the vehicle with acres of chrome. That makes this car the king of bling. This is not a subtle car but is one that makes a bold statement. If the idea of that sort of statement appeals to you, then you will find the Limited located in Oakbank, Manitoba, Canada, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at C$13,333, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The 1958 Limited was a giant of a car and measured a full 19′ in total length. This one is a rust-free survivor, but it immediately throws us a bit of a curve-ball. Externally, the paint is quite faded. However, it remains well preserved in areas like the door frames. The owner refers to the color as “Coral,” and the closest match to this on Buick’s color chart is a color called Reef Coral. This seems to tie in with what we find in the door frames, but the Tag Code is 66, which suggests a GM color called Canyon Glow. This shade is similar, but there is enough of a difference between the two that they can be easily identified. Further confusing matters is the fact that Canyon Glow was not offered on the Buick color chart during the 1958 model year. That’s just a little mystery that somebody might be clear up for us. Leaving that aside, this is a structurally sound classic. The floors wear a light dusting of surface corrosion, but that seems to be about all there is in this car. The panels appear to be clean, although the vast expanses of chrome make it hard to see the lower body extremities. If you are not a fan of that shiny trim, then the Limited probably isn’t going to appeal to you. There’s plenty of it, and the majority of it is in excellent condition. There are a couple of pieces that have some minor dings, and there is some rust on the outer rear bumper. However, the rest of it presents well. The highlight is undoubtedly the grille. This is composed of an incredible 160 chrome squares, all of which were faceted to catch the maximum amount of light. The three sets of “hash marks” on the rear quarter panels are also distinctive, and these are in good condition. All of that chrome raises an interesting fact about the Limited. This is a car that tips the scales at 4,890lbs. Nearly 1,000lbs is accounted for by the chrome trim alone. That’s a staggering figure.
The Limited was offered with a single drivetrain configuration in 1958, but it wasn’t a bad one. What you found was the 364ci “Nailhead” V8, which was backed by a Flight Pitch Dynaflow transmission. Power steering and power brakes are also part of this package. The Nailhead pumps out a respectable 300hp, but as we have seen, the Limited is one heavy beast. This means that the vehicle will take 17.5 seconds to cover the ¼ mile. That isn’t hugely fast, but it’s not shabby when you consider the weight that it’s lugging. You have to wonder how much quicker it would be without the chrome! There is plenty of positive news with the Buick because the owner states that the car runs and drives very well. He also indicates that the Buick has 77,015 genuine miles showing on its odometer. What he doesn’t say is whether he holds evidence to verify this.
The Limited was Buick’s range-topping offering for 1958. Naturally, that means that it came with its share of luxury appointments. These included power windows, a power front seat, air conditioning, a Wonderbar radio, and upholstery in a combination of leather and cloth. This interior remains original and unmolested. It isn’t perfect, but it appears as though it wouldn’t take a lot of work to return it to its best. There is some wear on the seats, the door trims, and the carpet. The dash appears to be perfect and features more of the obligatory chrome. Despite the identified faults, the interior still presents quite well. That means that if the next owner wants to keep using the car as an original survivor, they could do so with their head held high.
Buick intended their range-topping Limited to be an exclusive vehicle, and its price ensured that this was so. If compared to equivalent offerings from Cadillac, the Limited was the more expensive of the two. The 2-Door Hardtop retailed at more than $5,000. That was before a buyer began to tick the boxes on the options list. The result was relatively weak sales across the Limited range. Buick managed to sell a mere 1,026 examples of the Hardtop, which makes this a pretty rare old beast. That means that they don’t hit the market that often. When they do, prices over $50,000 are not unusual. So, if you like chrome, then perhaps you’d better give this classic a closer look.
19′ feet long, 5′ of trunk. What a boat. Love it.
The only ’58 Buick rarer than the Limited line was the Police version sampled on the old HIGHWAY PATROL TV series. That show had helped sell various company’s police fleets since ’55 but the trend for Buick was passing that market by, that Chrome Xylophone on the ;rear quarters just didn’t cut it.
This car looks kinda sad, like the$500 units I recall on used car lots in the ’60s. Hope someone saves it..
The windshield is BROKEN.
Those of us who are around at the time know that this car might be very interesting but it was considered way over the top pretty close to vulgar and over decorated especially next to the very clean lines of the Chrysler products which were also considerably lower.
That’s for me the author praises it too much. Few were made because it was considered repulsive.
And showing it with blackwall tires is like showing a woman wearing an evening gown and sneakers
I guess when the pendulum swung back in the 60’s, we got the short deck, long hood, LOL!! No doubt this and the ’58 Oldsmobile contributed to the theme of “wretched excess!” Impressive vehicle, which you won’t see at Coffee & Chrome often! GLWTA!! :-)
Is that an aftermarket a/c unit with the V-Twin dual piston compressor, or is that a power steering unit?
Neither. It appears that this car doesn’t have A/C. What you are looking at is the air suspension compressor. The car doesn’t have coil or leaf springs. It has air bags, like a motor home.
The pictures show coil springs and shocks in the rear. Maybe the compressor is a relic of times past.
Then it was converted to conventional suspension. Not uncommon.
that is the ‘Air-Poise’ suspension compressor.
Jim Schuette
That’s correct, it’s also the 2 reasons why I wouldn’t consider this car: No A/C, and air ride. I had a ’59 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible with air ride, it was nuttin’ but trouble.
Car is also screaming for a nice set of wide white wall tires!
Very rarely can you expect to find a `58 Limited in such solid condition!! This appears to be a great basis for a frame-off restoration. Obviously one will need bottomless pockets when it come to re-chroming, but the end result would be stunning! I do it in it’s original shade, add the Buick wire wheels that were options that year, whitewalls, and get ready to take home lots of first-place trophies!
Buick wire wheels were not optional in 1958; they were not even offered. Perhaps some dealer might have had some leftover from 1955 or 1956 which was the last year they were offered from the factory.
The pump you see was for the suspension. Buick’s AIR POISE suspension, a major headache for owners and Buick.
And guys at Cadillac were upset that another GM car can cost more than a Cadillac. Rumor says it was the main reason the Limited was a one year only model.
Stories I got from a friend of mine who owned one in the 2000’s.
What a great looking car!!!!
This one sounds really solid and an excellent restoration candidat.
The main reason there was not a 59 Limited is that this was the GM 50th Anniversary and Buick was the Founding Division of General Motors.
Buick had new styling for 1959, and new names for all the series – including the Limited –
Special – LeSabre
Century/Super – Invicta
Roadmaster – Electra
Limited – Electra 225
The Electra 225 took the Electra (220″ long) and added 5″ to the trunk. The new “Limited” was 225″ long. Thus the new Electra 225 was born. Both Electra and Electra 225 lasted through 1961. For 1962 the Electra 225 carried on but the base Electra was gone.
I was 11 years old in 58 and was struck by the excessive chrome on the Limited parked in front of the J.C.Penney store in my relatively small home town in Northern California. My older brother was telling his wife how costly these cars were and was surprised to see one in our town. Even back then I was a car lover. But the 348 Impala was my favorite.
God bless America
John, you and I are the same age😁. my dad owned a ’57 Super convertible. the last year of single headlights. I hated the slow Dynaflow transmission. I thought that the Hydra-matics in the Olds and Pontiacs were much faster.
June 6, 1947. That’s when I started this journey through life Robert. It has been an adventure of near misses, failures and travels. But the stories and memories are best of all.
God bless America
It’s really an icon of excess. I love it for that! I wouldn’t do too much to it. It’s presence is better as is for me.
I recall that car the year it came out. Went to see it with neighbors in Falmouth, Ma. I was 14 at the time and fell in love with this car. Loved every square inch of the chrome and the huge size of the car. Don’t think I’ve ever seen more than five of them in my entire life.19 feet long was huge but the new Lincoln for 58 was six inches longer with far less chrome and I fell in love with that instead. Have had three of them over the years.
It’s not a Grand NAtional, but it’ll do.
Note the Nash reverse c pillar, styled by Pinin Farina.
My neighbor had one of these back in the day, shiny black.
Looking at that grill now, it would take half a day to polish that alone.
I owned one of these Buicks in 1964 , when I bought it , it only had 38k on it , the dealer put 2 good tires on the front , changed the oil/filter replaced the battery ,all for $500.00. What a tank around town huge gas sucker , on the road not so much , it had the dyna flow tranny and take off was slow but once it got going it would roll. Sold it when I went into The Coast Guard , never saw it again . Always liked the 58 Buicks .
I can see it taking a little time to get this big heavy beast going, especially with the Dyna Slush. Now, how about getting it to stop? Definitely upgrade the brakes, for safety reasons.
The second picture, of the side profile shows just how big this car truly is. I love it, If someone else owns it.
SKIRTS? An option?
Yup. Some cars came with them and some you had to order. MY 65 Catalina didn’t have them so I ordered them.I thought they looked great.
In 1958 every car GM made was hideous. Even the Corvette was not immune from the styling excesses if to a lesser degree.
Jokacz how can you say that? Those cars were fabulous in their day and they still are for a lot of people. Look at the junk we have to drive today that looks all alike, now that’s hideous I think. Given a choice I’d take anything from 58 over something new today but that’s just me.
Personally, I’d rather have a 58 Chevy than any of the tri 5s. I never cared for the 55-57s that much
Norman, I agree with you. I’ve had a 58 Caddy convert, a 58 Buick coupe, and a 58 BelAir coupe. I loved each one. They were all terrific cars. They were all unique designs because 1958 was the 50th Anniversary for General Motors.
Adam, you were dead on with the header, that is some serious bling!
Cool car.
I was 8 years old in 1964 and we lived by a fire station in Chicago. The chief had this car in black, with the green and red lights behind the grill, siren, and spotlights. I remember the guys always cleaning and polishing it. It was impressive.
Finasaurus.🤐
Guess you could say that Phil since 58 was a long time ago. Ya gotta admit those were flashy days of excess and the country deserved the splash after winning WWll. The people were ready to buy and Detroit was ready to give them all the pizazz they wanted. I guess it worked ok and there are still tons of Iron from those days laying around waiting to be resurrected by a fan. Actually these old behemoths have created their own industry and that can’t hurt at all. Who ever thought that 58 Lincoln convertible I bought in 69 for $200 would ever be worth 50K? Even this huge lunker of a Buick that sold for 5K new is now worth 30K or so. Amazing when you think about it. An old junk yard full of these derelicts would make a man rich today and there’s lots of them around too.
Norman McGill,
I used to think like that until I dated a CPA and capital investment specialist. She explained that if I had simply invested my money 50/50 in a savings account and investments, I would have far more $ in my accounts today.
She didn’t understand why I even wanted to buy such cars anyway. [We only dated for a short time!]
This was expensive in 1958. my Father bought a new 1958 Plymouth convertible for $2600. 318 V8. Torqueflight, and am radio. A 1958 Coupe Deville must not have been much over $5000.
My old guide to 1959 cars shows a Cadillac 62 2 door hardtop at just over $4800.
GM designers saw the new 1957 Chrysler products in the fall of 1956 (before the official introduction) and were amazed at the low, sleek lines as well as the use of colour instead of chrome. GM’s head of styling Harley Earl loved chrome.
The designers went back to work and decided to clean up the excess chrome on the 1958 models. This Limited is an example of what the 1958 GM cars looked like after removing excess chrome.
The Buick Limited was a new model for 1958. The Limited shared GM’s C body Super and Roadmaster models along with their 127.5″ wheelbase, but added an additional 8″ of trunk for a total length of 227.1″. Only Lincoln and the Cadillac 75 were longer.
Bill-W,
The trunk lid, trunk floor, & inner rear fenders the same as on the 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special, as are the smaller panels surrounding the trunk lid.
Not surprised. The 60 Special was another “extended wheelbase with more trunk” model. The wheelbase was extended 3.5 inches while the length went from 216.8 inches to 225.3. An increase of 8.5 inches.
I would suspect with both the Limited and 60 Special using the same rear trunk and other inner rear body panels, GM could cover the costs of producing the Limited which totalled 7,436.
She would have been short-lived with me too.
Bill-W,
You are correct. General Motors, under Billy Durant, began using the same basic body shells for various different makes almost 100 years ago. Same body shell, different fenders, hood & grill, for different makes & models.
Chrysler did the same as well, Ford finally began doing it in 1939, with the advent of Mercury. And in the post war era, Mercury and Lincoln also shared body shells and wheelbases for certain model lines.
As I heard the story, Harley Earl saw the ’57 Chryslers and put a rush development program in for GM’s ’59s. Normally their ’58 redesign would have continued for another year or two with evolutionary changes as they did in ’55-’57.
Good old Harley Earl. I loved his cars.
I guess I should have kept my ’58 Buick Limited 4 door hard top? It was Blue Mist, with a pale blue cloth interior. I never had a problem with the air ride (was it an option? Maybe I didn’t have it?) If I had A/C, I didn’t know it. Out side of fuel mileage, my biggest problem was the broken power antenna that flopped over and hung down beside the right front fender when extended, but it was so much fun for my friends and I to watch, and when it snapped upright upon retraction, that I just couldn’t see my way to replace it.
I think I paid about $500 for it, around 1964.
Looks like the air suspension pump is in place but the undercarriage shots show coil springs not air bags. This a good thing, way better than having a 5k lb lump laying on the ground.
All this talk of a ’58 Buick Limited reminded me of what I found in the mid 1980s, a very real 1958 Buick Limited 4-door hardtop STATION WAGON.
Before you start writing to say they didn’t make Limited wagons*, well GM made one. I’ve seen it, driven it too. It’s in a huge collection of vintage cars, still in the hands of the original family. Most of the cars were bought new by various family members, or were gifts from people seeking access to the family head. The Fisher data plate on the firewall has blank spaces for the body style and trim, and the Fisher body number is stamped 1.
The man who owned it was incredibly rich in 1958 [the family is still very wealthy today] and he decided he wanted a Buick Limited station wagon, to go along with his Limited 4-door hardtop. When you are that wealthy and influential, General Motors listens, and built the car for him.
The car is black on the outside, and black & silver interior. It’s loaded with all options. It is only driven a few miles each time it’s taken out, and it had done only a few thousand miles when I saw it last in 1987. It’s “as new”. I’m sure it’s still in the car collection, as the family never sells anything. [The total number of cars in the collection is likely almost 900 vehicles.] And no, I am not going to disclose the location or even the country, per family request.
* 1958 Buick wagons were made in the Special [model 49], Super [model 49D], and Century [model 69] NO RoadMaster or Limited wagons were ever made in production.
Ignorant seems a bit harsh @Dave.
Let us hear your thoughts on the removal of the air suspension and installation of shocks and coil springs.
Whitewalls were always a more expensive option for cars. That’s why police cars have black walls, cheaper. The fact that this Buick has black walls in no way diminishes it’s value although it does tone down the looks a bit. Also wide white walls were from the thirties. This car is best with the three inch white walls and later into the 60’s it was a two inch white wall. The best looking WW I ever had on any car of mine was on my 65 Pontiac. The Goodyear Double Eagle’s. Remember those?
Can’t you replace the air suspension with regular air shocks? Sems like that would be a bit less expensive. Does this Buick have all four wheels with air suspension?
I believe that on the recent Mercedes S class the air suspension gets replaced to keep cars running.