In 1957, for the first time in decades, Ford outsold Chevrolet for the model year; it wasn’t by much, but a win’s a win. Therefore, the blue oval entered the 1958 selling season flying high, but as we all know, 1958 wasn’t a good year for anyone but Rambler (and, individually, the Thunderbird). Without getting into economics, could Ford’s sales decrease (over 600,000 fewer cars sold than 1957) been partially due to its styling updates? Few think that the 1958 model was an improvement over the ’57, but you can see where Ford was going. They wanted a family similarity to the new (and very successful) four-seat Thunderbird, with bold grilles and quad headlights. And our criteria for buying a collector car isn’t the same now as it was when these cars were new; for some reason, a car tugs at our heart, and that’s it. Tireless T.J. found this Ford Country Sedan on Marketplace in New Boston, Michigan, with an asking price of $13,500. (Note to sellers: If you’re going to ask $13,500 for a car, remove your $12,500 sign from the windshield.)
The seller advertises the Country Sedan as having “plenty of patina,” but he may be taking advantage of a trend for no reason; this looks like a pretty nice wagon. Sure, the chrome is dulled and I’m sure that the paint is not perfect, but I certainly wouldn’t apologize for it. The interior fabric looks original and completely intact. One thing that Ford fundamentally left alone at the 1958 changeover was the dashboard, one of my favorites of the 1950s; that curved speedometer and subdued ornamentation might have eschewed ’50s flash, but it’s held up well. Ford Division let the others outfin each other, and for the most part, their more conservative designs of the 1950s hold up pretty well today.
This wagon appears to be the 6-passenger version (the best selling wagon at 68,772 units). The load floor has a hidden compartment, but the 9-passenger version had forward-facing rear seats, according to the brochure.
Fans of Ford’s new-for-1958 FE engine may be disappointed when they pop the reverse-opening hood, because they’ll find the base 223-cubic-inch “Mileage Maker” six attached to a two-speed Fordomatic and 3.22:1 gears out back. This one’s been treated to an alternator conversion, a flex fan, and an aluminum radiator, and given the clean master cylinder and overall appearance, I’d say that this wagon is well-sorted. You can always tell when something’s been sitting, and it doesn’t look like this.
The 223 made 145 horsepower for 1958, and the stock Holley one-barrel (a 1904, I believe) sits atop the intake manifold. Few people like the Holley 1900 series carburetor because they tend to leak from the bowls (they’re easy to warp over the years), but if the rest of the engine compartment is any indication, the current owner probably has the problem figured out.
Price inconsistencies aside, this looks like a fun summer cruiser that needs nothing but a new home. Driving season here in Michigan is upon us; there have already been a couple decent, dry days for getting the old iron out of the garage. If you have an empty garage space and understand the appeal of the longroof, here’s a car for you.
One of the few cars made in ’58 that escaped the ugly era. Nice.
Agree, and I’m more of a fan of the cars that came before and after to this one. But that fine paint job really suits this wagon.
My Dad had a 58 (ranch wagon) 2dr. He always had the back seats down and all us 5 kids would roll around in the back. Aw, the 50’s.
Nice looking wagon GLWTA.
Kid count… slam on the brakes and count the thumps! 👍🏼
Ford outbuilt Chevy in 1957 only because they pumped out a lot of fleet vehicles at the end of the model run. I like this wagon and actually like the ’58 nose better than the ’57.
Nice wagon. As noted it looks well taken care of and sorted.
I wouldn’t mind this as my daily one bit! Work, play & family car all in one. Too bad it’s not 3 on the tree, which would enhance the ’play’.
’58s look better than ’57’s? The nose looks better than a ’57? One of the few cars that escaped the ugly era. The ’58 Ford is the epitome of the ugly era. It’s true. There’s no accounting for taste. Opinions are like belly buttons. Everyone has one.
Why, yes – the ’58s DO look better than the ’57s from every angle (though the ’57s are actually very good-looking). As you said, there’s no accounting for taste – and, as an American citizen, you are free to express all the incorrect opinions you wish!
Here in Wisconsin (the rust belt) 1958 Ford’s were a rarity by 1965. These and the 1957’s were biodegradable.
My dad purchased a new 1958 Ford Custom 300, we lived in Far Rockaway, NY. We lived right by the beach. He traded it in for a new 1967 Ford Galaxie 500, because by then most of the chassis had rotted away.
Patina is not equal to oxidation. With little rubbing compound and a bit of elbow grease this wagon will look almost new.
I had a 58 wagon. Sold it a couple of years ago. Same 223 with 3spd/OD. I had been collecting parts to “Fairlane” it (clock, chrome for the glove box, etc). Was a really neat old car.
I don’t get it. For 1958, Ford had four taillights with the backup lights between the oval reds. The 1947 Fords had two big round taillights and the 500 had the backup lights in the middle of the round.
Ya’ll following so far?
So, the taillights didn’t change on the station wagon for ’57. The ’58 taillights were used on the ’58 station wagon. So, how come the ’58 Ranchero has the ’57 taillights?
They clearly could have used the ’58 tailgate as they did with the station wagon but didn’t use it on the Ranchero. Another one of life’s mysteries. Well, at least Fords mysteries.
What an interesting observation! The Ford acts in mysterious ways . . .
Ya’ll know 1947 is a typo & should be 1957.
Here’s a picture of the 1958 Ford Ranchero. Click on the pic to see the rear
a SIX ?? Hard Pass !!
My parents had a 58 Ranch wagon 352 v8 auto posi rear end 4 door , nice car served them well!
My Dad bought a 58 wagon that he ordered back when you could do such things. It had one HUGE FAULT, it needed a cure for cancer. First when the car was just a few years old the rocker panels rotted and needed to be replaced. By the time it was ten years tops of fenders were rotting as was the rear compartment and rockers again. This was not a rust belt car. It lived in Portland Or and was garaged most of it’s life. Finally junked when transmixer died twice.