1958 Buick Limited Reintroduced
As reintroduced for 1958, the Limited was basically an upgraded Roadmaster, but with an extended rear deck decorated by chromed chevrons on the fenders. "Twin-Tower" taillamps, exclusive to the Limited, brought up the rear. ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. The Limited engine was also fitted to the Roadmaster, Century, and Super. |
The odd-looking three-piece rear window was deleted in favor of an unbroken expanse of glass. “Mouseholes,” officially known as “ventiports,” disappeared. 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. Brightwork was liberally applied. For the first time, a Buick looked more like a Wurlitzer on wheels than a car. One admirer referred to it as “The Rhinestone Cowboy.” |
Nor could the big new Buick be called inexpensive. In its 1958 incarnation, the Limited cost more -- anywhere from $110 to $240 -- than the base models of Lincoln, Imperial, and Cadillac. In fact, its price was actually $33 higher than Caddy's extended-deck model.
Buick people will insist to this day that the Limited was worth the money because its fit and finish were of the highest order. The biscuit-pattern interiors came in a choice of Mojave cloth or broadcloth, with leather trim in either instance.
Convertibles sported fine leather in a wide variety of colors. Buick aficionados even claim that the Limited was a better balanced automobile than the Cadillac. And the finned aluminum brakes, which had been extended for 1958 to all but the Special series, lived up to Buick's advertising claims.
Curious about what happened to the Limited? Go to the next page and find out.
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