1958 Ford Fairlane 500

Description

Don't be fooled by the flashy wheels, because this 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 convertible offers a pretty good glimpse into late-50s motoring style. There's no sneaking around in a red and white convertible this big, but once you feel the smooth power and incredible ride, you'll be hooked for life on the fabulous '50s.

The original door tag is still in place, so we know this one was originally a little more subtle, wearing Colonial White and Palomino Tan paint, but we think the red looks about a thousand times better. There's no point in trying to be subtle with a car that offers this much chrome, and the '58s are arguably the best-looking of the late-50s Ford models. It was refinished a few years ago and the work was incredibly thorough, because there's no trace of the bland old tan paint, even in the door jambs. The long streak of trim running from the headlights to the rear bumpers makes the perfect separation point for the two colors, making the massive Ford look long and lean, and with an anodized gold insert, the contrast is extremely appealing. Fit and finish are pretty good for the age of the restoration and the big doors close with a reassuring sound. Ford included a cool faux hood scoop on the '58s and they're easy to spot from behind with those big oval taillight housings and twin lenses that are an echo of Ford's jet-age infatuation. The giant chrome bumpers are in excellent shape and all the original emblems were reinstalled to retain a correct look.

The two-tone treatment extended to the interior, where the original seats wear recent upholstery that mimics the original look with more modern materials. Suede inserts make the seats comfortable even on hot days (an important consideration in a convertible!) and the matching door panels seem to echo the exterior styling. You'll note there's a modern leather-wrapped steering wheel and an AM/FM stereo head unit, but otherwise it's quite stock. Again, the color change was complete enough that the dash looks the way the factory intended and the plush carpets make this big luxury cruiser smooth and quiet on the road. All the original gauges are fully functional and the dash is more cool 1950s art that looks fantastic. Overhead there's a white power convertible top with a crystal clear rear window, and this is one of the rare convertibles that looks as good with the top up as it does top-down. There's also a massive trunk with good floors and a full-sized spare tire that still leaves lots of room for your gear.

Ford's top engine in 1958 was a 352 cubic inch V8 and in the big Fairlane, performance is smooth and effortless. The underhood area looks pretty stock, from the big, round air cleaner to the stamped steel valve covers with proper reproduction decals on their faces. It starts easily and runs great thanks to a new QuickFuel carburetor and new plugs, but other than those items, the engine bay presents as fairly stock. A 3-speed automatic transmission and a 9-inch rear end with 2.69 gears inside mean that this is a fantastic highway car with a luxurious ride. A burbling Flowmaster exhaust system, new shocks, and a fresh gas tank all mean it's ready to cruise at a moment's notice, and those 17-inch Boyd Coddington wheels and 235/45/17 radials make for a great custom look.

Compared to its Chevy competition, this Fairlane is a screaming bargain. V8 power, dramatic styling, and all-day comfort, this is a great cruiser for Blue Oval fans. Call today!