1954 DeSoto Firedome

The 1954 DeSoto model lineup included the entry-level Powermaster offered as a six- and eight-passenger sedan, a Club Coupe and Special Club Coupe, and a station wagon. Prices ranged from $2,360 to $3,280. Power was from an L-head, 250.6 cubic-inch six-cylinder unit with a Carter two-barrel carburetor and delivering 116 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. This would be the last six-cylinder model offered by DeSoto.

The Firedome model, first introduced in 1952, continued to represent the top-of-the-line offering within the DeSoto lineup and was powered by an overhead-valve V8 with 276.1 cubic-inch displacement. It had hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a two-barrel Carter carburetor, and delivered 170 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. A three-speed manual column-mounted transmission was standard, and an overdrive manual transmission was optional at $98 extra. For an additional $189, buyers could select the PowerFlite automatic transmission.

Body styles on the Firedome included a 6- and eight-passenger sedan, club coupe, convertible coupe, Sportsman hardtop (with a one-piece rear window), and station wagon. Prices ranged from $2,650 to $3,600, with the eight-passenger sedan claiming top honors. The station wagon listed for $3,360, and the convertible coupe at $3,145. The club coupe and sedan had similar pricing at approximately $2,660. The most popular was the six-passenger sedan with 45,095 sales. Next was the club coupe with 5,762 sales, followed by 4,382 of the sportsman hardtop. The eight-passenger sedan (a luxury model known as the Coronado sedan) was the most exclusive, with 165 sales.

The Firedome wore V-8 emblems on the front of the hood, rear fender sides, and near the front fender moldings. A V-shaped insignia could be found on the rear deck lid.

This was the final year the Firedome would serve as DeSoto's top-of-the-line model, relegated to the other end of the spectrum in 1955, with the lowest prices with the DeSoto line. Along with the other models, the 1955 DeSoto Firedome wore all-new Virgil Exner's 'Forward Look' styling that would carry the line into the second half of the 1950s. Sales were initially strong, then faltered partly due to the recession in 1958. Along with many other marques (including Studebaker, Packard, Continental, Imperial, and Edsel), DeSoto's existence quickly ended. Its last year of production was 1961.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1952, the FireDome became DeSoto's answer to the demise of the large family cars powered by inline six-cylinder engines. Under the hood of the six-passenger, four-door sedan was a powerful Hemi-Head V-eight engine producing 160 horsepower capable of propelling the FireDome to a top speed of around 100 mph. The 3700-pound vehicle could race from zero-to-sixty mph in 15.5 seconds, about five seconds faster than its nearest competitor.

In 1953 the entire DeSoto model lineup was restyled, adorned in chrome, and given luxurious amenities and a cozy interior, all for a base price of $2740. During the 1953 model year, around 64,211 examples were produced.

The FireDome was large and luxurious. The ride was smooth, and the list of available options appeared endless. By 1958 the horsepower had increased to over 300 with the option of the 361 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine. Zero-to-sixty now took just under eight seconds with a top speed of 115 mph.

By the close of the 1960's, DeSoto was struggling to find buyers for its automobiles. In an attempt to retain and acquire buyers, DeSoto offered the FireDome in twenty-six solid colors or 190 two-tone combinations.

The FireDome stayed in production until 1960. Production of all DeSoto's ended on November 30th, 1960, after 32 years in production.

by Dan Vaughan