Overture

At its Dearborn. Mich, headquarters, Ford Motor Co. gave the press a quick preview of the 1958 models that the U.S. will see for the first time next week. As promised, the new Fords have plenty of changes to show for Stylist George Walker's $185 million restyling: flashy new grilles, a lower-and longer-looking body, and a bigger, more economical V-8 engine that Ford hopes will cut gasoline bills as much as 15% (TIME, July 8). One major surprise: Ford will discontinue its famed two-seater Thunderbird, replace it with the long-planned four-seater model that is longer (113 in. wheelbase v. 102 in. wheelbase). but just as low and rakish. While the small T-bird has been a big success, with sales of 53,000 cars since 1954 (five times as many as Chevrolet's sporty Corvette), Ford thinks that the U.S. two-seater market is limited. Now it will shoot for broader fields in the growing family small-car market.

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