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
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
- Top model year production for 1958