1958 Ford Fairlane Spring Model?

[mercman from oz]

I have pictures of 2 distinct 1958 Ford Fairlanes in my Brochure collection with variation in the side trim. One is of the regular issue Ford Fairlane, which was the more economical model in the Fairlane range for 1958. The second set of illustrations shows an added "insert" on the front fenders extending into the doors. Was this addition to boost sales? I know that the more expensive Fairlane 500 are frequently seen, but the plain Fairlanes seem to be fairly thin on the ground. So, how many of these Fairlanes with the updated side trim are still around, as I have never even seen one in a picture, let alone in real life?
Are Ford Barners aware of these variations in the side trim on these cars?

 

[mercman from oz]

No "true" 1958 Fords were ever sold in Australia, so any that are here have been fully imported. Most people import the upmarket Fairlane 500, however, here is a nice Fairlane Club Victoria that has found its way to Australia. They are very nice looking cars, but seem to be overlooked by a lot of enthusiasts.

 

[Ford Freak]

Love them '58's !!

 

[mercman from oz]

For the benefit of Ford Freak, I am attaching some photos of an unrestored 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria that now lives in Australia.

 

[mercman from oz]

Here are some pictures of a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Convertible that now reside in Australia.

 

[mercman from oz]

Want more? Here are some pictures of a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner that has also found its way to Australia.

 

[mercman from oz]

Here is a neat 1958 Ford Custom Tudor Sedan with the optional "Glamorous Trim Panel" of Ribbed Anodized Aluminium. The standard models only got a single chrome strip. This car was photographed at Lake Tahoe last year.

 

[mercman from oz]

This is the Page in the new car Sales Brochure that lists the Options available on the 1958 Ford Customs including the "Glamorous Trim Panel" of Ribbed Anodized Aluminium.

 

[Ford Freak]

Thanks Mercman , great pics ! I also like 1960's too. I have heard many a staunch Ford guy say that 58's & 60's are they're least favorite years , but they are two of my favorites ! They are two years ( among many ) still on my bucket list . I previously owned & enjoyed a '57 Fairlane 500 for many years , but always wanted a '58 ! - Bernie

 

[34pickup]

I don't know how many were ever made but I have seen an original one with the additional factory trim at one of the shows in North Alabama, I think it was at Gadsden. I asked the owner about it since I had never seen one trimmed that way either. He told me it was a special version made for just part of the year. He might have called it a spring model, I don't remember. I liked it, it was different from all the Fairlane 500s you see around.

 

[Jimz Bird]

Rock salt on the roads played havoc with the '58 I had in '65. It was a 4dr, 6cyl, 3spd.
Above the headlights and the rockers were almost gone even then. It was affectionately called the "Crusty8". This was in Eastern Ohio around Youngstown.
I admire those who get them back in pristine shape.

 

[Ford Freak]

Rock salt on the roads played havoc with the '58 I had in '65. It was a 4dr, 6cyl, 3spd.
Above the headlights and the rockers were almost gone even then. It was affectionately called the "Crusty8". This was in Eastern Ohio around Youngstown.
I admire those who get them back in pristine shape.

The salt ate up the '57s in the same areas , too !!

 

[mercman from oz]

You guys in the USA don't realise how well off you are when it comes to cars & the variety that was available. As mentioned earlier, Ford Australia decided not to release the true 57 or 58 Fords, but offered a restyle on the 55/56 Fords for both years. The following pictures are of Australian 1958 Fords. The ones with the additional narrow chrome strip starting on the front door & extending to the rear with the added third colour were called Fordomatics, & naturally came with an Automatic Transmission. For those that wanted a stick shift, they could choose the cheaper Customline, which lacks the extra rear trim. The White & Maroon car is such a car. While you see the occasional 1958 Fordomatic at car shows, the Customline with the 3 speed manual is hardly ever seen & are extremely rare, as by 1958, nearly all buyers opted for an automatic transmission. The styling of these cars is a mix of 1955 & 1956 Canadian Meteors. The Grilles came from the 55 Meteor, while the side & rear trim came from the 1956 Meteor. Now you can appreciate why Australians go shopping in the USA for the true 1958 models. I hope that Ford Barners enjoy this little bit of Australian History.

 

[Ford Freak]

I have enjoyed it . ^^^^ Thanks !! - Bernie

 

[darrell]

the 58 ford is a rare car today.just look in hemmings or anywhere and see how few their are.i owned a fairlane 500 4dr h.t. and a custom away back.always liked them.

 

[scicala]

Very enjoyable and educational.

Sal

 

[mercman from oz]

As mentioned in my previous Post, the range of new cars that Ford Australia offered was restricted to 2 sedans, the manual transmission Customline & the automatic transmission sedan that was called a Fordomatic. If you didn't want a sedan, you could have settled for a Ute. These pictures are of the 1958 Ford Ute, which was called a Mainline. Unfortunately, the front styling didn't extend into the rear part, as these Utes were made for working, not to be glamorous.

 

[mercman from oz]

The owner of this 1958 Ford Mainline Ute has tried to make his ute more glamorous by adding extra side trim & a rear mounted spare wheel. Also, he Taillights are not original.

 

[mercman from oz]

Just found these pictures of 1958 Ford Fairlanes with the updated Side Trim on the Internet. Not many showed up, so they must be extremely rare. In addition to the extra "flash" on the front fenders extending into the doors, they also seem to have added "port holes" on the rear fenders, where the earlier models had the Fairlane Script. All very interesting.

 

[mercman from oz]

Does anyone have the updated Factory 1958 Ford Fairlane/Fairlane 500 Sales Brochure showing these revised models that they could scan for me & send to my personal email address? I got these pictures from the Sales Brochure for the 1958 Custom/Custom 300 models & it is dated Rev. 3-58. (See attached pictures) On the last page, there are small pictures of the various models in the Fairlane Range. I have a Fairlane/Fairlane 500 Brochure, but it is an early revision & does not show these new changes for Spring. I presume that it would have to be dated 3-58? Can anyone help me?