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Topic starter
25/03/2021 11:02 am
I've always liked the CARS of FIFTY-EIGHT because they were different. All of them! There were no two '58's that looked alike. They were wild with chrome, fins and gadgets. The buying public (or perhaps better said non-buying public) certainly had comments and opinions a plenty about every Brand's cars for '58. I think it's safe to say that there was never another year before or after 1958 that offered such an assortment of outlandish designs and for that reason alone their place in automotive history is cemented, likely forever.
JEFF KOCH of Hemmings CLASSIC CAR magazine provides this nice overview of the good, the bad, and the ugly. And he offers some insightful reasons why it wasn't just the styling of the cars that prevented them from being better received than they were.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
25/03/2021 12:35 pm
1958 was a great year for cars. Too many favorites to list, but my two top picks are the Chevrolet Impala and the Pontiac Bonneville.
John Bono
North Jersey
George Schire and George Schire reacted
25/03/2021 2:18 pm
@sizedoesmatter John; Chevy and Poncho are my top faves as well. Unlike George, I think that 1958 was not as great a year for automotive styling in America compared to the 3 or 4 years before and after. IMO the styling duds for '58 were Olds, Buick, Mercury and Lincoln. In '59 Olds and Buick styling recovered very well; Mercury not until '60 and Lincoln not until '61. Just one person's opinion though.....I still enjoy them at car shows as a representation of the era.
25/03/2021 3:50 pm
@jack-dodds - Jack, we all like different things, and as they say that's what makes the world interesting. I like the overdone '58 Buick and Olds and the radically designed '58 - '60 Lincoln. I dislike the '58 Mercury, while I love the '57....go figure.
John Bono
North Jersey
Topic starter
25/03/2021 4:12 pm
@sizedoesmatter John; Chevy and Poncho are my top faves as well. Unlike George, I think that 1958 was not as great a year for automotive styling in America compared to the 3 or 4 years before and after. IMO the styling duds for '58 were Olds, Buick, Mercury and Lincoln. In '59 Olds and Buick styling recovered very well; Mercury not until '60 and Lincoln not until '61. Just one person's opinion though.....I still enjoy them at car shows as a representation of the era.
All opinions are appreciated and welcome. Whatever our likes and dislikes are for cars, it's always great discussions.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
26/03/2021 5:09 pm
OK I will be negative as usual! And to repeat myself, the only cars i actually hate are the '58 Olds & Buick. Neutral on the Chevy & Pontiac. The Caddy I love the series 62 but dislike the ElDorado & Fleetwood. Dislike the Lincoln & the Mercury & the Edsel, but like the Ford. Love the DeSoto & Dodge, Neutral on the Chrysler & Plymouth. A lot of cars I don't appreciate the styling/design but, the only year in the 50's & 60's I actually hate a car is '58. Maybe because I have seen too many with the diving platform/butt wart on them.
26/03/2021 6:47 pm
@georgeschire Quite right George. If we all liked the same cars it would make for some very boring car shows! lol.
George Schire and George Schire reacted
Topic starter
26/03/2021 8:32 pm
OK I will be negative as usual! And to repeat myself, the only cars i actually hate are the '58 Olds & Buick. Neutral on the Chevy & Pontiac. The Caddy I love the series 62 but dislike the ElDorado & Fleetwood. Dislike the Lincoln & the Mercury & the Edsel, but like the Ford. Love the DeSoto & Dodge, Neutral on the Chrysler & Plymouth. A lot of cars I don't appreciate the styling/design but, the only year in the 50's & 60's I actually hate a car is '58. Maybe because I have seen too many with the diving platform/butt wart on them.
I'm sad. I was going to surprise you with a nice restored '58 Oldsmobile for Christmas. But no problem, I'll keep it for myself. 
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
26/03/2021 8:42 pm
@georgeschire: Thank you, one of the two cars I would say no thank to. If it is in good shape and free I would gladly accept any car but the '58 pair. On second thought, please get me the '58 Olds. so I can trade it for a '58 DeSoto. No never mind, you like them so much please keep it, you will appreciate it much more than I would, make me happy to see you happy.
Topic starter
26/03/2021 8:54 pm
@brush, always remember it's not the gift that matters, it's the thought that does.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
27/03/2021 6:25 pm
@brush, always remember it's not the gift that matters, it's the thought that does.
Whats the thought of the person who gives another person a gift they know the receiving person dislikes?
Topic starter
27/03/2021 8:34 pm
@brush, always remember it's not the gift that matters, it's the thought that does.
Whats the thought of the person who gives another person a gift they know the receiving person dislikes?
LOL, point made. But what if I didn't know you didn't like '58 Oldsmobile's, but know that you're an old car lover? So I try to be nice and give you a nice gift, and you tell m you hate it. 
Just teasing with you. I understand what you're saying.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
28/03/2021 8:25 am
If I could own one of them today, it would be the Studebaker Hawk.
28/03/2021 11:50 am
@brush, always remember it's not the gift that matters, it's the thought that does.
Whats the thought of the person who gives another person a gift they know the receiving person dislikes?
LOL, point made. But what if I didn't know you didn't like '58 Oldsmobile's, but know that you're an old car lover? So I try to be nice and give you a nice gift, and you tell m you hate it.
Just teasing with you. I understand what you're saying.
No, in reality I would thank you very much and accept the gift. Within a couple of years I would find a car I love and hopefully trade it. But I would not be driving it much if at all. Besides nobody gives me large expensive gifts, I am the one usually giving the gifts, 5 kids, 13 grandkids 7 cars given away.
Yes I understand we both are teasing.
Topic starter
28/03/2021 6:40 pm
@brush, always remember it's not the gift that matters, it's the thought that does.
Whats the thought of the person who gives another person a gift they know the receiving person dislikes?
LOL, point made. But what if I didn't know you didn't like '58 Oldsmobile's, but know that you're an old car lover? So I try to be nice and give you a nice gift, and you tell m you hate it.
Just teasing with you. I understand what you're saying.
No, in reality I would thank you very much and accept the gift. Within a couple of years I would find a car I love and hopefully trade it. But I would not be driving it much if at all. Besides nobody gives me large expensive gifts, I am the one usually giving the gifts, 5 kids, 13 grandkids 7 cars given away.
Yes I understand we both are teasing.
LOL, I've only got 2 kids and 2 grandkids, and I've given away 4 cars. Guess that's what parents/grandparents do.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota