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In 1955, DeSoto unveiled Virgil Exner's fresh new 'Forward Look' lineup, and sales nearly doubled over the previous year. Their flagship for 1955 was the FireFlite. It had a plush interior and, like all DeSotos, was powered by Chrysler's Firedome Hemi V8 engine with a choice of either a 3-speed manual or push-button operated Powerflite automatic transmissions.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony Hulman and his organizing committee chose the FireFlite as the Official Pace Car of the 1956 Indy 500, citing its 'outstanding performance and superb handling characteristics.' DeSoto produced about 400 Pacesetter special-edition convertibles with White and Gold paint to commemorate the honor and supplied dealerships with stencils to recreate the lettering on the official race vehicles.
This particular restored example is formerly part of the Charlie Thomas Collection. It has seen little use in recent years. It has vinyl lettering, a power-operated Saddle vinyl top, Gold vinyl upholstery with tweed seat and door inserts, and a rare Highway Hi-Fi 45 RPM record player. Other features include special-edition Gold wheel covers, a power front seat, power steering, a dash-mounted clock, a push-button radio with dual power rear antennas, and a well-detailed trunk and undercarriage.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2016
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony Hulman and his organizing committee chose the FireFlite as the Official Pace Car of the 1956 Indy 500, citing its 'outstanding performance and superb handling characteristics.' DeSoto produced about 400 Pacesetter special-edition convertibles with White and Gold paint to commemorate the honor and supplied dealerships with stencils to recreate the lettering on the official race vehicles.
This particular restored example is formerly part of the Charlie Thomas Collection. It has seen little use in recent years. It has vinyl lettering, a power-operated Saddle vinyl top, Gold vinyl upholstery with tweed seat and door inserts, and a rare Highway Hi-Fi 45 RPM record player. Other features include special-edition Gold wheel covers, a power front seat, power steering, a dash-mounted clock, a push-button radio with dual power rear antennas, and a well-detailed trunk and undercarriage.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2016
2015 Mecum : Monterey
Sale Price :
USD $75,000
2012 RM Auctions - The Charlie Thomas Collection
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $100,000-USD $125,000
Sale Price :
USD $115,500
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the DeSoto Fireflite
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible Chassis#: 50386682 Sold for USD$187,000 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible Chassis#: 50368711 Sold for USD$143,000 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Pacesetter Convertible Chassis#: 50385872 Sold for USD$45,100 2021 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1956 DESOTO FIREFLITE SEDAN Chassis#: 50368342 Sold for USD$9,350 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Fall Auction | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Pacesetter Convertible Chassis#: 50385872 Sold for USD$67,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sold for USD$22,000 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sold for USD$23,100 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Pacesetter Convertible Sold for USD$104,500 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | |
1956 Desoto Fireflight Sedan Sold for USD$9,075 2019 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale | |
1956 Desoto Fireflite Sold for USD$14,850 2018 Mecum : 2018 Chicago | |
1956 Desoto Fireflite Convertible Sold for USD$121,000 2018 Mecum : 2018 Chicago | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible Chassis#: 50381576 Sold for USD$100,100 2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Adventurer Chassis#: 50386077 Sold for USD$45,100 2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1956 DESOTO FIREFLITE CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 50384411 Sold for USD$225,500 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Indy 500 Pace Car Sold for USD$175,000 2017 GAA : November | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Sold for USD$66,000 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Four-Door Sedan Sold for USD$4,070 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Spring | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sold for USD$32,000 2017 Spring Carlisle Auction | |
1956 DE SOTO FIREFLITE Sold for USD$42,000 2016 McCormick's - Palm Springs # 60 | |
1956 DE SOTO FIREFLITE Sold for USD$42,000 2016 McCormick's Auction # 60 |
DeSoto Fireflites That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 DeSoto Fireflite's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Convertible | 50381983 | 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : West Palm Beach | $135,000 | $170,000 | |
1956 Desoto Fireflite Convertible | 2022 Mecum : Orlando | $55,000 | |||
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible | 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | $110,000 | $155,000 | $175,000 | |
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Hemi | 50368342 | 2018 Silver Auctions Arizona : Fall Auction | $8,000 | ||
1956 Desoto Fireflite Convertible | 2018 Mecum : Hershey | $90,000 | |||
1956 Desoto Fireflite Convertible | 2018 Mecum : Indianapolis | $125,000 | |||
1956 Desoto Pace Car Convertible | 50382605 | 2016 Dragone : The Boston Cup Auction | $145,000 | $175,000 | |
1956 DESOTO FIREFLITE CONVERTIBLE | 50366059 | 2016 BarrettJackson : Northeast | |||
1956 DeSoto Fireflite | 2014 Leake Auction : Dallas Spring | $140,000 | |||
1956 Desoto Fireflite Coupe | 62050931 | 2013 Russo & Steele Newport Beach | $57,500 | ||
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible | 2011 Leake Auction Dallas, Texas | $146,000 | |||
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible | 2011 Leake Car Auctions Tulsa 39th Annual Leake Auto Auction | $267,500 | |||
1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible | 2011 Leake Car Auctions Tulsa 39th Annual Leake Auto Auction | $165,000 | |||
1956 DESOTO SPORTSMAN HARDTOP | 2011 Auctions America Spring Carlisle | $25,000 | |||
1956 Desoto Sportsman 2D | 2006 RM Auctions Michigan International Spring Classic Car Auction | $6,600 |
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1956 DeSoto Fireflite
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