1956 Desoto Fireflite

Prosperity in the post WW2 era of the 1950’s translates to big cars, big engines, and the ability to go as far as you want with as much comfort as your own home.  The 1956 Fireflite DeSoto gave its owners all that and more thanks to the “Forward Look” style of design engineer Virgil Exner of the Chrysler Motor Corporation. A former student of Harley Earl at GM and to a lesser extent, Raymond Loewy of Studebaker, Exner gave birth to a host of Chrysler products featuring towering aircraft-like tailfins and generous use of chrome highlights in his creations, both evident in this Fireflite Convertible.

 The DeSoto model line occupied the upper-middle brand identity of Chrysler’s lineup, with Dodge and Plymouth below and Chrysler and Imperial as the premium luxury brands.  Within the DeSoto brand, the Fireflite had all the extras that appealed to new car buyers who wanted the features of the high-end Imperial or Cadillac without the luxury cost.  This car has it all, from a 330 cubic inch V8 Hemi engine mated to a dash-mounted push-button automatic transmission, chromed wire-spoke wheels, brocade interior in lavender motif, two-tone Plum and Iridescent Lavender paint, 4-way adjustable power seats, and a self-winding clock mounted in the center of the steering wheel.  When the weather allowed, you could lower the power-operated plum fabric convertible roof and drive down the boulevard in style and comfort while listening to your favorite music on the Search Tune AM dash-mounted radio.  The dashboard features a sea of shiny chrome and gold accents and even the engine valve covers, and air cleaner are finished in gold paint.  Power brakes, power steering, and power windows are all present in this car.

While the Fireflite was far more comfortable and cruising oriented, it didn’t lack for performance with its dual 4-barrel carburetors and Hemi engine offering 255 horsepower on tap.  To that end, the Fireflite Convertible was chosen as the official pace car for the 1956 Indianapolis 500 auto race. 

1956 was the high-water mark for the DeSoto brand with sales over 42,000 units, but a recession in 1958 combined with upper mid-market saturation between the Ford Edsel, Buick, Oldsmobile, and competing Chrysler products eventually shut down DeSoto production in early 1961.

Specifications:

• Engine: 330 cu in Hemi V-8

• Horsepower: 255 hp

• Torque: 350 lb-ft

• Transmission: Original rebuilt Powerflite 4-speed automatic

• Length: 220.9 in

• Wheelbase: 126.0 in

• Weight: 4068 lbs