1958 Chrysler Cars Fact Sheet

Auto-Pilot (cruise control) was a Chrysler car’s unique option. First introduced in this year, the device allowed the driver to dial in their highway speed and cruise without using the gas pedal. Just like the units of today, brake application disabled the control.

1958 SARATOGA SERIES LC2-M (Poly 8-Cylinder): The 1958 Saratoga continued almost unchanged from 1957. Instrument panel background color changed, as did the metal background of the radio and heater control panels. On the outside, the side trim began at the forward edge of the front door and continued rearward to the tail lamp bezel. The “Saratoga” nameplate was placed to the rear of the front fender, directly in line with the side trim molding. The tail lamps were changed and the grille continued its horizontal flair, however the topmost part of the bumper horizontally divided the opening.

A color spear was available at extra cost. On cars with this option, the extra trim began at the middle of the front door and rose slightly, in a very gentle line as it ran rearward.  Dual headlamps were a standard feature.

1958 NEW YORKER SERIES LC3-H (Hemi 8-Cylinder): 1958 New Yorkers were also little changed from 1957. Changes paralleled what were seen in the less expensive Chrysler models. The Saratoga-like mid-line body trim molding was used, but a unique emblem, placed just rearward of the front door, set New Yorkers apart. A color spear of anodized aluminum graced the area between the two trim pieces and covered the rear portion of the car. While not as substantial or as long as the color sweep of 1957, it helped distinguish New Yorker models from Saratogas and Windsors. The Auto-Pilot speed control and remote-control outside rear view mirrors were new options.

Interior fabric was “Fontainebleau” Jacquard and metallic vinyl and was slightly richer than the “Chain mail” fabric and metallic vinyl used on the Saratoga. The Town and Country station wagon now had the third seat option, with the seat facing the rear of the car. All hardtops sported the new domed windshield that had been introduced on 1957 convertibles.

1958 CHRYSLER 300D SERIES LC3-S (Hemi 8-Cylinder): The 300D super high-performance Chrysler was still a sub-series of the New Yorker. It carried forward the design motifs of 1957 with only minor alterations. The windshield on hardtops now conformed to the windshield style (domed) of the convertible. Hub caps now had red finish, painted in the depressed outer areas of the wheel covers. Instrument face backgrounds were identical to those of other 1958 Chryslers. Large red-white-blue rear quarter panel medallions returned for the second year, but the letter ‘D’ replaced the ‘C’. The fuel injected models had “Fuel Injection” surrounding the two 300D emblems on the rear quarter side medallions. In all, there were ten locations for the various size 300 medallions on the car: glove box. grille, deck lid, steering hub, hub caps and the rear quarters.

A limited number of 300D’s were built with an electronic fuel injection system called the “Bendix Electrojector”. This marked the first use of a computer in a Chrysler product. The system was not fully reliable due to the use of analog signaling which could be interfered with by radio station signals, and a recall program was instituted in late summer 1958, where most of these EFI units were replaced by the standard conventional 2 4-barrel carburetors on 300D’s. It would be the last year for the “Firepower” hemi-engine.

Monotone colors were used exclusively on the 300. No two-tone colors were available.

• Ermine White
• Mesa Tan
• Tahitian Coral
• Matador Red
• Raven Black
• Aztec Turquoise

Saratoga Standard and Windsor Series Power Pack Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Polyspherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 354 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.94″ x 3.63″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 310 @ 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 405 foot-pounds at 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 256°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.389″ (Exhaust) 0.389″. Carburetor: Carter four-barrel, Type AFB Model 2589S. Includes dual exhaust and full-low oil filter standard.

Saratoga Standard and Windsor Series Power Pack Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Polyspherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block.Displacement: 354 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.94″ x 3.63″. Horsepower: 310 @ 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 405 foot-pounds at 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Compression ratio: 10.0:1.Carburetor: Carter four-barrel, Type AFB Model 2650S. Includes dual exhaust and full-low oil filter standard.

New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 392 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.00″ x 3.90″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 345 @ 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 450 foot-pounds at 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.389″ (Exhaust) 0.389″. Carburetor: Carter four-barrel, Type AFB Model 2651S.

Chrysler 300C Series Standard Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 392 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.00″ x 3.90″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 380 @ 5200 R.P.M. Torque: 435 foot-pounds at 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters with high-lift camshaft and extra-stiff valve springs. Camshaft Duration: Intake 276°, Exhaust 276°, Overlap 55°, Lift (Intake) 0.435″ (Exhaust) 0.442″. Carburetors: 2 Carter 4-barrels Front WCFB Model 2741S, Rear WCFB 2742S.

Chrysler 300D Series Optional Fuel Injected Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 392 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.00″ x 3.90″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 390 @ 5400 R.P.M. Torque: 435 foot-pounds at 4200 RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters with high-lift camshaft and extra-stiff valve springs. Camshaft Duration: Intake 276°, Exhaust 276°, Overlap 55°, Lift (Intake) 0.435″ (Exhaust) 0.442″. Bendix Electronic Fuel Injection.

NOTE: This engine had a speed density system with electronically operated injectors and electronic controlled metering of fuel. The fuel pump was electronic and installed in the fuel tank (@25-33 psi). Dual throttle bodies were used, located in the common dual 4-barrel position, however the manifold was unique as the injectors were fitted in the same location as today. See 1958 AMA Specifications Sheet page 6A for complete information. Click HERE to reach this page.