The 1958 version looked pretty much the same as the 1957 model, save the above emblem, which changed slightly. What was under the hood changed dramatically, however, as was the case for  Chrysler Corporation's lower priced  lines. 

For 1958 the hemi was no longer used by Dodge or De Soto, and had never been used by Plymouth, which meant only Chrysler and Imperial had the 392. Even so, 1958 was the last year for the hemi, which would be replaced by the 413 wedge beginning in 1959. The one exception would be the top of the line Imperial limo, which had the 392 hemi under its hood. 

The D500 was now powered by the 361 single 4 bbl, producing 305 hp at 4600 rpm. The Super D500 option had  10.1:1 compression, 2 x 4 bbls, and produced 320 hp at 4800 rpm. Torque was 400 at 2800 rpm. Topping off the option list at 330 hp was Chrysler's ill fated Bendix "let's walk home tonight" fuel injection system.

The car weighed 3610 lbs and rode on 8.00 x 14 tires. Overall, it was a bit watered down compared to the 1957 model, especially the ones with the D501 option. It was still fast, however, getting 0-60 in the mid 7 second range with the standard engine. The dual quad version would get you down to the 7 flat area, pretty good for a street car in 1958. It was unlikely that anything you came up against at a red light would give you any trouble unless it was a comparable Chrysler product or a well optioned Corvette.

In the day, you have to remember what was around and what cars like this meant. Few people cared about performance, and the ones that did usually drove custom street rods. Few people could afford Chrysler 300s, and even fewer wanted the discomfort and smallness of a Corvette. Take those two out of the mix for 1958, and very little was left. 

Imagine the look on the face of some greasy, duck tailed hoodlum driving a 1940's vintage car (chopped and channeled) with a later model V8 engine (usually a Chevy small block, flat head Ford,  or maybe even a Chrysler hemi)  under the hood (if he had one) as he casually pulled up next to somebody who looked like Bill Hickman! Bill (1921-1986) was the driver in "Bullitt," "The French Connection," and "The 7-Ups." In "Bullitt" he drove the black Charger. He looked a bit nerdy, but don't take him on. He was previously James Dean's personal driver, and was first on the scene when Dean crashed his car and died. 

Here you are, casually looking over at this older guy in a new Dodge, and you rev it a bit. He looks at you, and dismisses you as he looks back at the road with a smirk you don't see. When the light turns, all you hear is an ungodly roar as your car is enveloped in tire smoke. When the smoke clears, the Dodge is gone. Congratulations, you just met up with the D500. 

Like most 1957-1959 MoPars, the Dodge suffered from quality problems and premature rust problems. Not many remain. Wish you had one? Me too. Wish Bill was here to drive it, too.