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