1958

The 1958 Ford F-100 brought two significant changes to the second year of the third generation: quad headlights and the first FE-series V8 engine. Both updates kept the F-100 competitive in a truck market that was evolving rapidly as manufacturers pushed more passenger-car features and power into their light-duty pickups.

The most immediately visible change was the move from dual to quad headlights. Following a trend that swept through the entire American auto industry for 1958, Ford replaced the single headlights on each side with a pair of smaller sealed-beam units. The new arrangement required a redesigned grille, which featured a wider, more horizontal appearance compared to the 1957 model. The quad headlight setup gave the front end a more aggressive, contemporary look and improved nighttime visibility. Combined with revised trim pieces and updated badging, the 1958 F-100 had a distinctly different face from its predecessor despite sharing the same basic cab and body structure.

The bigger news was under the hood. Ford added the 332 cubic-inch FE V8 to the F-100 options list, producing an impressive 265 horsepower. The FE engine family — which stood for “Ford-Edsel” — was a modern overhead-valve design that would go on to power Ford trucks and cars for decades. The 332 FE gave the F-100 a serious performance advantage over the Y-block engines that had served as the V8 options since the truck’s inception. For buyers who did not need that much power, the 223 Six, 272 Y-block V8, and 292 Y-block V8 all carried over from 1957.

Transmission choices remained the same: a standard 3-speed manual, an optional 4-speed manual for heavy-duty applications, and the Ford-O-Matic automatic. The 118-inch wheelbase and fundamental chassis dimensions continued unchanged from 1957, maintaining the improved ride and handling characteristics that the third generation had introduced.

Inside the cab, changes were minimal. The dashboard, seating, and trim carried over largely unchanged, though the Custom Cab package continued to be available for buyers who wanted upgraded appointments. The Styleside and Flareside bed configurations both remained in the lineup, with the Styleside continuing to outsell its stepside counterpart.

Production numbers for 1958 dropped to approximately 67,275 units, reflecting the broader economic recession that hit the United States that year. The downturn affected sales across the entire auto industry, and truck sales were particularly sensitive to economic conditions. Despite the lower volume, the 1958 F-100 remains notable in the model’s history as the year Ford began its transition from the Y-block to the FE engine family — a shift that would have lasting implications for the performance and capability of Ford trucks through the 1960s and beyond.