Where To Go From Here

The magazine said Fairlane wagons offered a "strong, large-automobile feel, low noise level," however six-cylinder engines have been deemed insufficient to cope with a station wagon's weight. Naturally, MT deplored Ford's two-speed automated transmission for the wagon, suggesting that a 195-horsepower, 289-cubic-inch V-eight with Cruise-O-Matic could be your best option. (The 271-horse V-8 was not offered in wagons.) Not like the prior yr's wagons, seat cushions were not included to make what Motor Trend known as an "virtually ineffective" third seat from the rear well. As a substitute, that area was now helpful just for storage.

It was Harlow Curtice, then chief of Buick Division, who tried to determine the large Buick as a competitor to Cadillac, an effort that his superiors finally torpedoed. However now, in 1958, snake venom Curtice was himself president of GM and all people knew that he continued to take a special curiosity in Buick.

In line with Motor Development, Ford relied on its "intensive shopper research program," which, except for the Edsel, "seemed to repay for them." By the tip of the Fifties, analysis prompt a market for an "in-betweener" model somewhere betwixt the gradually growing commonplace Ford and the upcoming compact Falcon. (Don't forget these have been the times when American Motors was thriving quite properly on the power of its Rambler Six/Rebel, which fit virtually smack-dab between the 100-inch-wheel-base American and the 117-inch Ambassador.)