1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria with Cold Vintage Air

Wearing its new-for-1958 conservative cloaking of angular sheet metal with quad headlamps, the full-size Ford line entered the model year with a new optional automatic transmission, the Cruise-O-Matic, and some revised model nomenclature. For instance, the Fairlane 500's two-door hardtop, with its new, squarish formal roofline, was officially known as the Club Victoria. This 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria is a visually impressive example of that car, one of 80,439 produced, that the seller acquired at the at auction in 2012. The Ford is said to have received a body-off restoration in 2001, and to have spent its pre-auction lifetime in North Carolina and Tennessee. It only had 42,000 miles in 1979 when it was 21 years old per the inspections sticker found during restoration. Not an everyday sight today, this 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 is completed to what appears to be a high degree of accuracy, and besides the Cruise-O-Matic, the car is optioned with the most powerful engine V-8 Ford offered that year. It's been more recently retrofitted with climate control with cold Vintage Air. The decals on its air cleaner proclaim that this Fairlane 500 is optioned with Ford's Interceptor Special 352-cu.in. V-8, the highest-output engine on the option list. Also new for 1958, this H-code FE-block engine had a compression ratio of 10.2:1, received its fuel mixture via a Holley four-barrel carburetor and was rated by the manufacturer at an even 300 horsepower. - the engine in this Fairlane 500 is original to the car, and says it was rebuilt at the time of restoration. An electric fuel pump was installed in 2020, and the vacuum pump is now used only to power the windshield wipers.- the engine runs readily on non-ethanol premium unleaded fuel. A new dual exhaust system with glass pack-type mufflers has been fitted.- the automatic transmission was rebuilt shortly after he bought the car, and reports no issues with its operation. Fluid leaks from the engine are described as minimal. The engine bay presents as stock and clean. I have stored the Ford in a climate-controlled garage and describes the paint finish as excellent-. - the Fairlane 500 is devoid of visible rust, including the floors and trunk, with the body panels appearing to be original, with no signs of accident repair and only minor corrosion visible in photos of the car during restoration.- the side trim is entirely straight and free of damage. No exterior trim appears to be missing, and the remaining chrome presents as being in excellent condition. The Ford is equipped with fender skirts that appear to fit properly. The glass is said to be free of cracks, with the windshield exhibiting a minor wiper rub at the top. All exterior lighting is described as functional. The undercarriage appears to be nearly spotless - The original-style seat facings and interior panels in this Fairlane 500, which has its original seat framing, present as being in excellent condition, with no visible tears, pulls or soiling. The front seat is said to have full adjustment range. The carpeting looks to be in excellent condition and is protected by mats with Ford logos. The headliner quality is described as excellent. The painted steel dashboard, with Vintage Air vents underneath, presents beautifully, with no evidence of missing or damaged trim. The gauge package is said to be fully functional, with the fuel tank and sending unit replaced in recent years. The factory AM radio is described as operable, with a new speaker. Both the air conditioning and heater are said to be functional. The trunk, with a floor mat, presents as spotless. - The Ford has seen recent chassis service, during which the front end was aligned by a franchise dealer and front bushings replaced, along with a power steering cylinder adjustment. A certified mechanic replaced the steering cylinder and replaced the 4 hoses that run to it, and is said to operate quietly. The shock absorbers are reported to be in good shape. The rear brakes were recently replaced and the power-assisted system is said to work properly. The disc wheels, including the unused spare, painted in the primary body color, are said to be undamaged and mount Coker American Classic whitewalls that are reported to be about four years old with less than 1,000 miles. Photographs of the restoration and receipts for all work commissioned since 2012 will be included. Not a common sight today, this 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria has the most potent engine Dearborn offered, the added treat of cold air conditioning, and has been finished to what looks to be a remarkable degree.