Cadillac Models & History 1958
Thevolume Cadillacs were heavily facelifted for 1958 in a manner typical of GM that year. Perhaps the most garish Caddys yet, they were laden with chrome and far less stylish than previous postwar models. Sales were poor, though a nationwide recession was probably more to blame than the baroque styling, which was, after all, in vogue. At 121,778 units, model year production was lower than at any time since 1954. Symbolizing the fall in fortunes was a V-8 slightly detuned in a faint nod toward fuel economy, limited to a single 310-bhp version for all models.
Forecasting the future, DeVille became a 62 sub-series for ’58, and pillared sedans were temporarily eliminated. The 62 line also gained a hardtop sedan with extended rear deck. All models were available with cruise control, high-pressure cooling system, two-speaker radio with automatic signal-seeking, and automatic parking brake release. A special show Eldorado introduced a “thinking” convertible top that raised itself and the side windows when a sensor detected raindrops, but this was another gimmick that came to nothing.
HISTORICAL NOTES
1958 Cadillac Notes
- Five special Eldorado Biarritz convertibles were built with completely automatic top riser mechanisms and metal tonneaus and incorporated humidity sensors which activated the top riser mechanism in case of rain. These cars had four place bucket seating and custom leather interior trims including driveshaft tunnel coverings.
- The 1958 Eldorado Brougham is a certified Milestone Car.
- James M. Roche was general manager
- Charles F. Arnold was chief engineer
- Charles Jordan was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- Fred H. Murray was general sales manager
- Cadillac production figures
Series 6261,053 (decreased 5,794) Sedan de Ville23,989 (increased 181) Coupe de Ville18,414 (decreased 5,399) Eldorado1,671 (decreased 2,229) Series 6012,900 (decreased 11,100) Series 70 Eldorado Brougham304 (decreased 96) Series 753,447 (decreased 622)
1958 Automotive Notes
- The U.S. suffers a financial recession
- Imports secure 8% of new car sales
- Harlow H. Curtice was president of GM until the end of August when John F. Gordon became president
- Albert Bradley was chairman of the board at GM until the end of August when Frederic G. Donner took over
- Ford introduces Edsel with pushbutton transmission contols in the hub of the steering wheel
- Studebaker-Packard halts production of Packard to concentrate on compact Lark
- Chrysler slows Hemi V-8 production to offer the cheaper wedge-head V-8
- U.S. passes the Automobile Information Disclosure Act which mandates that a window sticker on new cars must show make, model, serial number, and suggested retail price
- Almost all makes adopt quad headlights
- Buick sells Opel subcompact and Pontiac sells the Vauxhall
- Ford introduces the four-passenger Thunderbird
- The Continental Mark III is now a part of the Lincoln lineup
- Lincoln has the industry’s biggest V-8 with 430-cid (7 litre)
- Rambler American is smaller version of the Rambler Ambassador
- GM offers air suspension on all cars, but it is prone to trouble and soon abandoned
- Remote controlled outside mirrors are offered on Cadillac and Lincoln
- Paper air filter elements are introduced
- Cruise control (automatic speed control) offered on Cadillac, Chrysler, and Imperial
- Toyota Toyopet and Datsun arrive from Japan
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1958
1. General Motors2,017,807 (decreased 752,584) 2. Ford1,214,010 (decreased 777,334) 3. Chrysler710,919 (decreased 589,078) 4. Others222,691 (increased 14,755)
- Top model year production for 1958
Chevrolet1,142,460 Delray178,000 Biscayne176,229 Bel Air592,000 Station Wagon187,063 Corvette9,168 Ford987,945 Custom68,145 Custom 300272,726 Fairlane118,140 Fairlane 500306,429 Station Wagon184,613 Thunderbird37,892 Plymouth438,496 Plaza94,728 Savoy110,117 Belvedere117,531 Suburban116,120 Fury5,303 Oldsmobile294,374 Dynamic 88146,567 Super 8888,992 Ninety-Eight60,815 Buick240,649 Series 40 Special139,213 Series 50 Super42,388 Series 60 Century37,558 Series 75 Roadmaster14,054 Series 700 Limited7,436 Pontiac217,303 Chieftan128,819 Super Chief27,128 Star Chief Custom48,795 Bonneville Custom12,240 Rambler162,182 American30,640 Six106,916 Rebel10,056 Ambassador14,570 Dodge137,861 Coronet Six8,229 Coronet Eight69,150 Royal15,165 Custom Royal25,202 Station Wagon20,196 Mercury133,271 Medalist18,732 Monterey62,312 Montclair20,673 Park Lane9,252 Station Wagon22,302 Cadillac121,778 Series 6261,053 Sedan deVille23,989 Coupe deVille18,414 Eldorado1,671 Series 6012,900 Series 70 Eldo Bro’ham304 Series 753,447 Chrysler63,681 Windsor25,322 Saratoga18,486 New Yorker16,208 Town & Country2,856 300D809 Edsel63,110 Ranger24,049 Pacer21,272 Corsair9,192 Citation8,577 DeSoto49,445 Firesweep19,414 Firedome17,479 Fireflite12,120 Adventurer432 Studebaker44,759 Six31,195 V-8, 25912,249 V-8, 2898,068 Silver Hawk3,252 Lincoln17,134 Capri6,859 Premiere10,275 Imperial16,133 Imperial7,063 Crown8,000 LeBaron1,039 Crown Imperial31 Metropolitan13,128 Continental12,550 Packard2,622
Keyword: Cadillac History 1958