The famous Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission debuted this year, ostensibly to handle the torque of both the FE and MEL large displacement V-8s. It would be available through 1979 in various iterations and improvements.

Ford offered air suspension in 1958, but it was prone to failure, and fewer than 200 cars were ever equipped with it. It was withdrawn mid-year and never saw the light of day afterwards.

Like many makers in 1958, Ford Debuted dual headlights.  This system carried well into the 1980s, providing much better illumination on “high beam” than previous single  lamp systems.

The Fairlane model was the base trim level for the longer wheelbase Fairlane series. It included chrome window moldings, with slightly less chrome around the “C” pillar than Fairlane 500 models. Also, a different side stripe was used compared to the 500 model. The base Fairlane side chrome had two strips. The lower molding began at the rear of the front wheel opening, then went straight to the back of the front door. From there it began to gradually curve upward. The upper strip began at the front of the fender and went straight back, to the back of the front door. It then began to curve gradually downward, merging with the lower strip directly over the rear wheel opening. A “Fairlane” in script appeared on the rear fenders and directly above the grille opening.

The Fairlane was available as a 4-door Town Sedan, 2-door Town Club Sedan, 4-door Town Victoria Hardtop, and 2-door Club Victoria Hardtop,

The Fairlane 500 models had the top trim level in the Fairlane series. It included all the trim used in the Fairlane models plus slightly more chrome on the “C” pillars and different side trim. The side trim was a double runner chrome strip with a gold anodized insert. The top chrome strip began on the side of the front fender, sloped slightly, and terminated at the top of the rear bumper. The lower molding split from the upper strip where the front door began, dropped in a modified Fairlane sweep and merged with the upper strip at the rear bumper. “Fairlane” in script appeared above the grille and on the trunk lid and “Fairlane 500” in script appeared on the rear fenders, above the chrome side trim.

The Fairlane 500 was available as a 4-door Town Sedan, 2-door Club Sedan, 4-door Town Victoria Hardtop, 2-door Club Victoria Hardtop, Sunliner Convertible, and Skyliner 2 door Retractable Hardtop (V-8 only).

The Ranch Wagon was the base trim level two-door and four-door station wagons for 1958. Country Sedans were intermediate level station wagons and Country Squires were the top trim level. The level of equipment paralleled Custom 300, Fairlane, and Fairlane 500 models of passenger cars.

Station Wagons models were: 2-door Ranch Wagon, 2-door Del Rio Wagon, 4-door Country Sedan 6 passenger, 4-door Country Sedan 9 passenger, and 4-door Country Squire 9 passenger.

292 CID V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 292 cubic Inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.75 x 3.30 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.1:1.
Horsepower: 205 @ 4500 RPM.
Torque: 295 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 256°, Exhaust: 256°, Overlap: 28°; Lift: Intake 0.401″, Exhaust 0.421″.
Carburetor: Autolite 2100 Two-barrel model (manual transmission) EDB-AG;  (automatic transmission) EDB-AF.

Interceptor 240 HP V-8 All Transmissions:   Overhead valves. Cast Iron block.  Five main bearings.
Displacement: 332 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.30 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.5:1.
Horsepower:  240 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 340 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Early – Mechanical; Late Hydraulic
Camshaft timing: (Mechanical) Intake: 252°, Exhaust: 256°, Overlap: 30°; Lift: Intake 0.401″, Exhaust 0.401″; (Hydraulic) Intake: 256°, Exhaust: 256°, Overlap: 36°; Lift: Intake 0.401″, Exhaust 0.401″.
Carburetor: Holley 2300 two-barrel Model (manual transmission) EDC-A; (automatic transmission) EDC-B.

Interceptor Special V-8 All Transmissions:   Overhead valves. Cast Iron block.  Five main bearings.
Displacement: 332 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.30 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.5:1.
Horsepower:  265 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 360 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Early – Mechanical; Late – Hydraulic
Camshaft timing: (Mechanical) Intake: 252°, Exhaust: 256°, Overlap: 30°; Lift: Intake 0.401″, Exhaust 0.401″; (Hydraulic) Intake: 256°, Exhaust: 256°, Overlap: 36°; Lift: Intake 0.401″, Exhaust 0.401″.
Carburetor: Holley 4100 four-barrel Model (manual transmission) EDC-G; (automatic transmission) EDC-F.

NOTE: This engine was equipped with dual exhaust.

Thunderbird Special V-8 All Transmissions:   Overhead valves. Cast Iron block.  Five main bearings.
Displacement: 352 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.50 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.2:1.
Horsepower:  300 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 395  @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 270°, Exhaust: 270°, Overlap: 49°; Lift: Intake 0.401″, Exhaust 0.401″.
Carburetor: Autolite 4000 four-barrel (manual transmission) 5752308; (automatic transmission) 5752309.

Police Interceptor V-8 All Transmissions:   Overhead valves. Cast Iron block.  Five main bearings.
Displacement: 361 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.05 x 3.50 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower:  303 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 400 ft. lbs. @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 270°, Exhaust: 270°, Overlap: 49°; Lift: Intake 0.401″, Exhaust 0.401″.
Carburetor: Autolite 4000 four-barrel (manual transmission) 5752308; (automatic transmission) 5752309.

Torque is in ft. lbs. unless otherwise noted.