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1958 Buick Series 700 Limited

The late 1950s were the zenith of automotive excess with large cars, lavish trim, towering tail fins, space-age inspired design themes, and flamboyant chrome. The 1958 Buicks were dubbed the Air Born B-58 and were stated to have been birthed from aviation principles, starting with the extensive new use of aluminum throughout, more than any car before. The flight persona continued with the mechanical aspects topped by 364 cubic-inch 300 horsepower Nailhead V8 providing performance associated with jet fighters. The Limited featured the Flight Pitch Dynaflow transmission, which featured three turbines and a variable-pitch stator.

Buick revived the 'Limited' name which had previously been used on the Roadmaster and the pre-War Series 90. For 1957, the Roadmaster had two series, the 70 and 75. The 75 consisted of just two body styles, a Riviera hardtop sedan, and a Riviera hardtop coupe. The following year, these became the Limited Series 700, and a convertible coupe model 756 joined the lineup. Priced at $5,125, these were the most expensive Buick. Just like the 1936 Buick Limited, where the name actually meant 'limited,' just 839 examples were built in 1958 making them the rarest stateside Buick offering.

The 1958 Buick Limited were among the most excessively chrome-covered vehicles on American roads. The 1958 Limited was the company's top-of-the-line model, with the same dynamic Fashion Air Dynastar styling as other Flint products of the year, including a remarkable grille composed of 160 faceted chrome squares. The brightwork detail continues along the car's exterior flanks, as well around the rear fascia and throughout the interior.

The wheelbase measured 127.5 inches and its length was over 227 inches. Unique features of the three Limited body styles were the hash marks along the rear fenders. Another distinct feature on the 1958 Limited was the bright lower rear quarter panels that blended into the large rear bumpers. Each wheel opening was surrounded by jewel-like chrome bands. The taillight towers and luxurious interior were also unique.

The 1958 Buick Limited were marvelous vehicles with nearly 1,000 pounds of chrome and trim on the car alone. The sluggish sales are attributed to the high price tag and the severe recession that began in late 1957, leaving just a few people who could afford to purchase one.

With the slow sales, the departure of Harley Earl, and a rough economy, GM management canceled the project the very next year making the Limited a one-year-only model.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

Buick knew that radical changes would have to be made if the 1958 models were to have any chance of receiving widespread acceptance. As reintroduced for 1958, the Limited was an updated Roadmaster with an extended rear deck with chrome chevrons on the fenders. Convertibles sported fine 'Cape Buffalo' leather in a variety of colors.

A new 'Fashion-Aire Dynastar' grille dominated the front end. It consisted of 160 chrome-plated squares, each designed with four triangular concave surfaces calculated to reflect a maximum amount of light. The Limited also had quad headlamps with broad chrome rear quarter side panels, unique Limited 'Twin-Tower' wraparound tail lamp lenses enclosed in chrome housings and rear bumper 'Dagmars' housing 'Dual Jet' back-up lamps.

The Limited may not have saved Buick's tarnished image in 1958 but it was regarded as the high water mark of flamboyant luxury of its time.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

The Buick Limited was offered by Buick from 1936 to 1942 and then revived in 1958 as Buick's top-of-the-line luxury car. The 1958 Limited had a 127.5 inch wheelbase (which it shared with the 50 and 75 Series) but a unique and very length of 227.1-inchs. The 1958 models featured a 'Fashion-Aire' grille cast with 160 chrome squares shaped to maximize the amount of reflected light. They had quad headlamps with broad chrome rear quarter side panels, a unique Limited wraparound tail lamp lenses enclosed in chrome housings and rear bumper 'Dagmars' housing 'Dual Jet' back-up lamps. The Limited was offered in three bodystyles, including a 2- and 4-door hardtop, and a convertible. Power was from a 364 cubic-inch V8 engine delivering 300 horsepower. With prices over $5,000, they were more expensive than most Cadillac models. Total production for 1958 was just 7,438 examples. The Limited Series 700 was a one-year only name usage, as the following year it was changed to the Electra 225.

This elegant convertible - of which they only produced 839 examples, was priced at $5,125 with air conditioning, the only option available on the fully-loaded Limited.

Convertible Coupe

This is a one-year only styling and series. Production was low with just 839 examples produced. Equipped with a powerful V8, smooth automatic transmission and full power options, they were elegant and exclusive. This example has been treated to a full frame-off restoration.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

This 1958 Buick was used as a promotion for the TV show Wells Fargo Tales starring Dale Robertson. Custom features include two chrome-plated Winchester rifles exposed in the console area and each door panel was covered in Danish calfskin with Western-motif leather inserts and holsters holding a set of pearl-handled .38 caliber Colt revolvers. Jersey hide carpeting was used on the floors and lower door panels. A longhorn steer's head is overlaying the stock V8 hood emblem. This chrome encrusted luxury series lasted just one year. It competed with the Cadillac in prize and size and was clobbered by the recession plagued economy in 1958. The car is amply powered by a 365 cubic-inch V8 engine developing 300 horsepower coupled to a Dynaflow automatic transmission. The 4,710 pound vehicle was priced new at $5,125 and capable of 115 miles-per-hour.

Convertible Coupe

1958 was a year of considerable amounts of chrome and flash for General Motors products, and nothing illustrates it more than the top-of-the-line 1958 Buick Limited. Buick introduced the Limited for those that wanted to step up from the previous top-of-the-line Roadmaster series. The marketing theme for Buick in 1958 was the Air Born B58, which paid homage to a recently announced new military jet fighter named the B-58. Some would suggest that the large expanse of aluminum and chrome trim along the sides of the 1958 model lineup was similar to the shiny polished aluminum on the new jet fighters.

The Limited model was built on the same chassis and power-train as the Roadmaster, but with a considerably higher level of trim applied, inside and out. Powered by the 300 horsepower overhead valve V8 and riding on a 127.5-inch wheelbase, this was a king of the road.

The Limited model was further distinguished by the mock louvers along the rear quarter panels. This particular example includes the Miracle Ride Plus Air-Poised suspension, otherwise known as air bags. This offered a new level of comfort for gliding over the road. Unusual for its time, this convertible is also equipped with factory air conditioning for those really hot days when you don't wish to put the top down. Another rare option, the Autronic Eye on the top of the dash, was a means to recognize oncoming traffic and automatically dim the headlamps.

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 8E4012620

The top-of-the-line Buick model for 1958 was the Limited. It had a grille composed of 160 faceted chrome squares, a long 127.5-inch wheelbase chassis, and a length of over 227 inches. Distinctive to the Limited were the 'hash marks' along the rear fenders, two-speed Flight Pitch Dynaflow transmission, and a more luxurious interior.

Few examples of the 1958 Buick Limited were built, partly due to the 1958 flash recession. The rarest Buick sold in the United States that year was the Limited Convertible, of which just 839 were built.

This particular example, a Convertible, is one of fewer than 20 extant. It was acquired by the current owner from a Midwestern collection, in which it had resided for 25 years. The car was shown at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance in 1990.

This car is finished in Warwick Blue with a two-tone leather interior and white power top. The car has the standard automatic transmission, a dual-range heater, Wonderbar radio, power windows, dual spotlights, and chrome fender skirts. The engine is an overhead valve V8 displacing 364 cubic-inches and offering 300 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

Striking in its Sable Black over red Cape Buffalo leather, this 1958 Buick Limited is top-of-the-line all the way. The wheelbase measures 125.5 inches and the overall length is just under 19 feet! With a 364-cubic-inch, 300-horsepower V8 engine and silky smooth 'Flight Pitch' transmission, the Buick was ready to float down the new American expressways. Listing at over $5,000, our featured Limited was costlier than most Cadillacs. It is believed that the so-called Chrome Goddess featured more chrome and bright stainless steel than any other car ever produced.

Only 839 Limited Convertibles were produced and less than two-dozen are known to exist. Not surprisingly, this particular example was located only after the current owner conducted an intense search. Upon acquisition, he commissioned an extensive 3-year restoration to bring it to its present better than new condition.

The exclusive Limited nameplate, applied for the first time since 1942, represented the very best of Buick for 1958. Eyecatching style elements included a 'Fashion-Aire Dynastar' grille with 160 individual chrome squares, 'Twin Tower' wraparound taillamps and 'Dual Jet' backup lamps.

Unfortunately, the 1958 Buick's appearance, which Harley Earl patterned after the 1950 LeSabre show car, was not well received and sales slumped alarmingly. The Limited would not re-appear in 1959 and the Buick line would be completely redesigned.

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 8E1010461

In 1958 Buick reintroduced one of their grandest named in the top-of-the-line LImited. It rode on a large 127.5-inch wheelbase and was given generous amounts of chrome, plus no less than 12 vertical louvers in the rear quarters. The front grille had 160 chrome square insets and twin chromium bullets flanked by turn signal lights that are housed in their own streamlined nacelles. The Buick name is spelled out in separate die cast letters and twin 'V' styled gun sight ornaments ride on each front fender. Also in the front are Buick's new-for-1958 quad headlamp set up. At the rear of the nearly 19-foot long body are twin jet-like fins that carry a sharp angle into tail lamps that are louvered. There is a large rear bumpers that runs all the way from the rear wheel arches and is smothered in chrome. The Limited name appears at the front of the rear quarter panel. The interior futuristic gauges, jet-like pods, and chrome.

This particular example is finished in Seminole Red with a matching red leather interior. It retains its AM radio and a clock above the glove box. It has GM's Autronic Eye that uses a light-sensing phototube to automatically switch the headlamps from high to low when an oncoming car approached. Power is supplied from Buick's 364 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 rated at 300 horsepower, mated to a two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission.

Buick built just 839 examples of the Limited Convertibles in 1958.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 8E5017973

It is believed that this Buick was sold new by C.H. Haines and Sons in Palmyra, New Jersey to Dr. Don Koerner. It wore a Garnet Red Metallic over a two-tone cream and beige leather interior with numerous power features and a Sonomatic radio. It is believed that the Buick remained with Dr. Koerner for over three decades before it was sold to Sam Robbins of Skokie, Illinois, in April of 1989. In 1992, it was purchased by Ed Kucuhar in Cleveland, Ohio. The previous owner acquired it in 2002 with 20,465 miles on the odometer and had it exported to Sweden. The current owner acquired the Buick in 2015. Currently, there are 22,100 miles on the odometer.

This Buick Limited Convertible is powered by a 364 cubic-inch overhead valve 'Nailhead' V8 engine with a single Downdraft four-barrel carburetor and delivers 300 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. There is a four-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission and four-wheel power-assisted hydraulic drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan