Did Sheriff Bill Abbott’s opponent break the back window? Can the “Chevrolet Super Service” and “Oldsmobile Service” technicians work on a Ford?
CC Outtake: 1958 Ford Custom 300 – Support Your Local Sheriff
– Posted on August 24, 2012
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Curbside Classics Archives
Paint the green parts black, put a star on the door (the spear may have to go), pop four new radials on it and Sheriff Abbott’s got his squad car.
The broken rear window just adds a certain Buford Pusser “danger may strike at any minute” mystique. I’d leave it.
Must be the sheriff’s platform! That’s the way to cut government spending!
The comment I passed on: This is what happens when you take your Ford to an Oldsmobile service center.
If Abbott was Sheriff, those dang kids wouldn’t be out causing mischeif and bustin’ out my damn windows!
That’s a very fitting picture of that car, considering it was just about the ugliest car made during the late 50’s. We’re all familiar with the story of “one group worked on the front, one worked on the rear, and neither group spoke to each other”. In this case, I get the feeling that there were four or five different groups, each working on a section of the car, and not only not speaking, but downright hostile to each other.
This car made the ’58 Mercury and Edsel look good.
The Custom 300 is my favorite 58 Ford. I always thought that the side trim was so much better looking than that of the Fairlane 500.
1958 had to be the high water mark of Ford trying to be GM. Not only did you have a Lincoln bigger than a Cadillac and an Edsel, but you had TWO separate and distinct Fords.
I wonder how history would have been different if the 57 Ford had been the smaller car only, leaving the Fairlane 500 body for the Edsel in 1958. I suppose that a 116 inch wb Ford would have gotten its head kicked in by the larger Chevy and Plymouth. I almost wonder if the 1957-58 116 inch wb Ford was a more expensive failure than the Edsel.
I like the 57 that I owned better than the 58. A neighbor had the 58 with the retractable hardtop (sunliner I think). It was fun to watch it work but I still like mine better.
We never got the 2door variety but the 4door cars were popular back in the day
I have the 4-door version of this car–black and white 2 toned, 6 cyl., Fordomatic. One family owned (before me). Surprisingly solid–the 6 has some pep. Classic example of a ’50s “Golden Era” car. So few survive out of a total series production of 340,871 units (2 and 4 doors).
Here in deep South America those cars were ridiculously expensive. My dad got a 58 Custom 300 4 door, 6 automatic with power steering in 1963. Black on black on black….He kept it for 10 years. It was absolutely bare bones and had feeble power but he liked it. It was replaced by another stripper…a 68 Nova 4 door. Tinted glass and power brakes. Light blue, dog dish wheel caps. First owner…Soviet Embassy, Montevideo!! Both cars endured 10 years of doctor’s house calls until being eaten by rust. Regards from Uruguay!
Mine has power steering too–unusual for a six, I think. That, combined with Ford’s new “Magic Circle Steering” makes for light and easy handling.
his car was an all original 1958 Ford Custom 300 4 door sedan.
Hello my name is Walter I live in B.C Canada . This car was my Dads first car when he was young. I would very much like to buy it for him if you’re willing to sell.
Hi, Walter! I really like my car and I’m not planning to sell. However, if you send me an email I can send more pictures of it and some history. Also be sure to check out this CC post:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/multiple-curbside-classics/curbside-comparison-1957-ford-custom-1958-ford-custom-300-getting-the-most-for-your-money-in-the-late-50s/
I’ve seen some of these Custom 300s pop up on eBay, so if you really want one, check eBay every once in a while.