1959 DeSoto Firedome

The DeSoto marque, a division of Chrysler, was produced from 1928 to 1961. Along with Chrysler, all DeSoto models were redesigned in 1955 with Virgil Exner's 'Forward Look.' Sales were strong for DeSoto through the 1956 model year, the same year it received triple taillights and tailfins. Its elegant styling and impressive performance were rewarded with being tasked with pace car duties at the Indianapolis 500, the first and only time it would serve these duties at the Brickyard.

For 1957, the smaller Firesweep body shared its 122-inch wheelbase with Dodge, and the Firedome and Fireflite would share the 126-inch wheelbase chassis with Chrysler.

As the 1950s were coming to a close, the economic downturn crippled sales of the mid-priced market, and DeSoto was not immune to its effects, and with sales being 60 percent lower than those of 1957, it what would be DeSoto's worst year since 1938. A new mid-priced brand, the Edsel, was introduced for the 1958 model year, adding even more competition to the shrinking mid-price market.

As DeSoto production plummeted nearly seventy percent, the Chrysler Corporation made drastic and strategic moves, yanking DeSoto from the Wyoming Avenue assembly plant (which it had occupied since 1936), and from July 1958 forward, senior DeSotos would be built alongside Chryslers on Jefferson Ave. At 45,724 cars, DeSoto was one of only two manufacturers to score lower sales in 1959 than 1958.

1959 DeSoto models were among the most flamboyant cars ever created, with the Firesweeps, Firedomes, and Fireflites offered in twenty-six solid colors or 190 two-tone combinations. Design cues shared by all included a triple air scoop front bumper along with a fine mesh grill. The Adventurer had gold sweep spears, chrome streaks on the trunk lid, and unique swiveling front seats to make entry and exit from the low-ridding performance car easier.

Virgil Exner and his team created a radical prototype in May of 1961, hoping to revitalize the brand. It had a long hood, longer than the trunk, accentuated by menacing fender blades. The back was devoid of fins and, instead, had sculpted quarter panels and a smooth sloping trunk. This convertible, wearing a modern new interpretation of the 'Forward Look,' proudly wore the 'DeSoto' nameplate on the hood, and other Chrysler brands would take design inspiration from this concept.

1961 would be the final year of the DeSoto marque, going out of business after more than two million vehicles had been built for North American markets. 1960 was the final year of DeSoto sales in Canada.

The DeSoto Firedome was a full-size automobile produced by the Chrysler Corporation for its DeSoto brand vehicles from 1952 to 1959. During the 1955 and 1956 model year, the Firedome was the least expensive model in the DeSoto lineup before being reclassified as a mid-range vehicle from 1957 through 1959. Its move upmarket was due to the introduction of the Dodge-based Firesweep.

By 1958 the horsepower had increased to over 300 with the optional 361 cubic-inch V8 engine, bringing top speed to 115 mph and zero-to-sixty mph in under eight seconds.

Under the hood of the 1959 DeSoto Firedome lurked an overhead valve 383 CID V8 rated slightly more than 300 horsepower. Four body styles were available, including a 4-door sedan and Sportsman, and a 2-door Sportsman and Convertible Coupe. Just 299 examples of the Convertible Coupe ($3,650) were purchased in 1959, making it the rarest in the Firedome lineup. The most popular (9,171 examples) was the 4-door sedan which sold for $3,235. A total of 2,862 examples were the four-door Sportsman (3,400) and 2,744 were the two-door Sportsman ($3,340).

A three-speed manual was standard, with an automatic available for an additional cost. Silver color sweeps and swivel front seats were also optional. Standard equipment included all the items found in the Firesweep plus rear foam cushions, wheel covers, variable-speed windshield wipers, backup lights, and carpets in the front and rear. Mid-way through the production year, DeSoto added plaid upholstery, a custom steering wheel, and a padded dash to the list of standard equipment.

This was the final year that DeSoto would offer a convertible or a station wagon.

Mechanical Specification
The 1959 DeSoto Firedome had a 126-inch wheelbase and a length of 217.1 inches. The overhead valve, 383 cubic-inch V8 engine had a cast iron block, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter four-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, 10.1:1 compression, and delivered 305 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. A dual four-barrel setup was available for an additional $122. A three-speed manual was standard, and the TorqueFlite automatic was optional, adding $227 to the base price. The PowerFLite transmission was optional at $189. Among the options listed were power brakes at $43, power front swivel seat at $187, and power window lifts at $106.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012