Did the 1958 Ford’s Thunderbird-Inspired Facelift Backfire?

The 1957 Ford models are widely celebrated for their design, but their successors underwent a substantial facelift for the 1958 model year. This redesign aimed to align the family car’s aesthetic with the popular 1958 Thunderbird. However, this decision has been subject to debate among automotive enthusiasts and historians. Was aligning the Ford family car with the Thunderbird a misstep that negatively impacted sales? Let’s delve deeper into the design choices and market performance of the 1958 Ford.

Was Family Resemblance a Design Mishap?

The heart of the controversy lies in whether mimicking the Thunderbird’s design language was the right approach for the 1958 Ford. Some argue that inheriting styling cues from the sportier Thunderbird compromised the family car’s identity. Jim and Cheryl Farrell, noted automotive historians, suggest in a Dean’s Garage article that the attempt to infuse Thunderbird elements into the 1958 Ford’s design was misguided (Farrell, 2022).

However, the concept of family resemblance wasn’t new to Ford. Lewis Crusoe, a former Ford Division head, had implemented a similar strategy during his tenure, which was lauded by many. This begs the question: was the family resemblance approach inherently flawed, or was it the execution of the 1958 facelift that fell short?

The 1958 Ford’s taillight design, featuring prominent pods, sparked debate and differed significantly from its predecessor. Image: Indie Auto

The Quad Taillight Quandary

One of the most debated styling choices of the 1958 Ford was the adoption of quad taillights, mirroring the trend of quad headlights that was gaining popularity at the time. This marked a departure from the iconic pie-plate taillights of the 1957 models.

See also  American Cars: A Comprehensive Guide to Postwar US Auto History

While the quad taillights aimed to create a more modern and cohesive look, they divided opinions. Some argue that the execution of this design element on the 1958 Ford’s boxier body felt forced and less elegant compared to the Thunderbird.

Re-evaluating the 1957 Ford’s Design

The argument against the 1958 facelift often hinges on the belief that the 1957 Ford’s design was superior and should have been left untouched. However, design appreciation is subjective, and even the highly regarded 1957 models had aspects that haven’t aged well.

The 1957 Ford Fairlane 500, for instance, featured elaborate rear-quarter chrome trim and two-tone paint schemes that accentuated the tail fins’ height, making them appear excessive by today’s standards. In contrast, the 1958 models sported more understated fins, aligning with evolving design preferences.

Advertising for the 1957 Ford emphasized its visual appeal, setting a high bar for the 1958 redesign. Image: Indie Auto

Additionally, the single headlights on the 1957 models, while contributing to a clean fascia, didn’t integrate seamlessly with the fender canopies. This design quirk was addressed in the 1958 models with the introduction of quad headlights, resulting in a more harmonious front-end appearance.

The 1958 Ford’s bumper also saw a redesign, moving away from the bucktoothed look of its predecessor. The new bumper was more integrated with the grille and featured a more modern shape, particularly for a car in its price range.

1958 Ford Skyliner rear quarter retracting1958 Ford Skyliner rear quarter retracting

The 1958 Ford featured a retractable roof design, showcasing the model’s technological advancements. Image: Indie Auto

While the iconic pie-plate taillights of the 1957 Ford are undeniably memorable, the 1958 model’s horizontal pods, with taillights integrated into the trunk lid, hinted at the sculpted rear ends that would become prominent in the 1960s. Additionally, the 1958 model boasted a less massive rear bumper than its predecessor, contributing to a more refined rear design.

See also  When Did Ford Start Phoning It In With Mercury?

It’s important to note that these observations aren’t meant to diminish the 1957 Ford’s significance or to declare the 1958 facelift as objectively superior. The goal is to highlight that even celebrated designs have their shortcomings and that the 1958 model introduced evolutionary refinements that deserve recognition.

Did Design Derail Sales?

One of the main arguments against the 1958 Ford’s design is that it negatively impacted sales. While it’s true that Ford’s family car line experienced a significant production decline in 1958, attributing it solely to the facelift might be an oversimplification.

Several factors contributed to the sales dip across the auto industry in 1958, including a recession. It’s worth noting that all three major American automakers—Ford, Chevrolet, and Plymouth—experienced sales declines in 1958, suggesting that broader economic conditions played a significant role.

It’s also important to consider that Ford’s sales strategy in 1958 emphasized the Fairlane 500, a model positioned toward the higher end of the market. This approach may have inadvertently made the brand more vulnerable during a recession when consumers tend to gravitate towards more affordable options.

The 1958 Ford Thunderbird, a sales success, served as the inspiration for the family car’s controversial facelift. Image: Indie Auto

While the 1958 Ford’s design has been a subject of much debate, pinpointing its impact on sales requires a nuanced perspective that considers the broader economic climate and Ford’s market positioning during that time.

The 1958 Ford: A Design in Context

The 1958 Ford’s facelift remains a fascinating case study in automotive design history. While some argue that attempting to emulate the Thunderbird’s aesthetic was a misstep, others contend that the execution, rather than the underlying concept, was flawed.

See also  The Untold Impact of Ralph Nader's Crusade on the Auto Industry

Ultimately, judging the aesthetics of a car is subjective. However, understanding the context in which the 1958 Ford was designed, including the prevailing design trends, the intended market positioning, and the economic climate, provides a more holistic perspective.

It encourages us to see the 1958 Ford not simply as a failed attempt to mimic the Thunderbird, but as a product of its time—a time when automakers were navigating a rapidly changing market and experimenting with new design languages.

References

Farrell, J., & Farrell, C. (2022, September 4). The 1958 Ford—An Indirect Casualty Of The Edsel. Dean’s Garage. Retrieved from http://www.deansgarage.com/2022/the-1958-ford-an-indirect-casualty-of-the-edsel/

Further Exploration

  • Explore archival images and advertisements for the 1957 and 1958 Ford models to form your own opinion on the design evolution.
  • Research the design philosophies of Joe Oros, a key figure in Ford’s design department during that era.
  • Investigate the sales figures of competing models from Chevrolet and Plymouth to contextualize the 1958 Ford’s market performance.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *