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1958 DeSoto Fireflite

The 1958 DeSoto Fireflite was an impressive and stately vehicle available as a sedan, 2- or 4-door Sportsman, Convertible Coupe, and 6- or 9-passenger Station Wagon. Power came from an overhead vale 361 cubic-inch engine offering just over 300 horsepower. The engine featured a new rigid, deep skirt block and overhead valves employing wedge-shaped combustion chambers.

Identifying the Fireflite models were specific rear fender nameplates and an upper bodyside molding that traversed the entire vehicle length. There were special medallions on the sides of the front fenders as well. Color sweep trim was standard on hardtops and convertibles. Eighty-six two-tone and 14 solid color schemes were available, and new exterior colors were announced mid-year. Around the same time, a springtime trim package was introduced as an option for all models except Adventurers. The interiors of the Fireflite were done in metallic Damask and vinyl.

An automatic transmission was standard with a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic available at an additional cost. The wheelbase measured 126 inches, and the length was 218.6 inches. Pricing began at $3,575 for the 4-door sedan and rose to $4,175 for the 9-passenger station wagon. The 6-passenger wagon saw just 318 examples produced. 4,192 4-door sedans were produced with 6,527 Sportsman (both 2 and 4 doors) vehicles found interested buyers.

The DeSoto Fireflite, first introduced in 1955, remained in production through 1960. In 1956, a gold and white Fireflite convertible served Official Pace Car duties for the Indianapolis 500.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

This 1958 DeSoto Fireflite 4-Door Sedan is finished in the correct and original factory two-tone combination of Holly Red and Pearl White over a red interior. It was sold new in the Hershey, PA area, where it saw no winters, and eventually ended up in various North Carolina collections. The car has 47,000 original miles and is equipped with power steering, power brakes, and a 361 cubic-inch V-8 engine and push-button automatic transmission.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Glenmoor Gathering Auction presented by Classic Motorcar Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $20,000 - $25,000.

by Dan Vaughan

The 1955 DeSoto Fireflite was wider and longer than previous DeSoto models. It came equipped with a V8 engine and PowerFlite automatic transmission. Multiple colors were used to highlight design details such as the fang-shaped panels. The windshield was DeSoto's first wrap-around design. The interior was new and slightly radical with a dual-cockpit gull-wing theme. The PowerFlite automatic was operated by a Flite-Control lever located on the dashboard. There was ample space to accommodate six adults comfortably. The bench seats were long and comfortable, available in leather upholstery. Under the hood lurked a powerful V8 engine producing 255 horsepower. It could propel the car from zero-to-sixty mph in less than eleven seconds with a top speed of 110 miles per hour. This was more standard horsepower than most other manufacturers offered on their vehicles.

The DeSoto was more than an exercise in design it was a unique riding experience. The engine and road noise was practically nonexistent for the driver and passengers. The suspension was smooth and there was comfortable performance. It was a lot of car for the money. The 1955 DeSoto's sold extremely well with over 114,765 examples produced, the best for the company since 1946. For 1956 DeSoto continued to climb the automotive industry ladder reaching 11th place in total production with 110,418 examples. However, this trend was temporary for the company; in five years' time, it was out of business.

In 1956 a gold and white Fireflite convertible was the official pace car for the 1956 Indianapolis 500, a prestigious responsibility. The word 'DeSoto' adorned the doors, painted in large block letters. On the raceway was a fitting slogan, 'DeSoto Sets the Pace.'

For 1957 the DeSoto appearance was modified with the help of Chrysler Corporation's head stylist, Virgil Exner. The design was bold and radical with tail fins, dual oval exhaust, and triple-lens taillights. At speed, the tail fins served a purpose by improving stability. The versatility of the Fireflite was expanded with the addition of a station wagon. The cars built in 1957 were spectacular in design but poor in quality. Some of the models leaked and could not keep the rain out of the vehicle during a storm. Others had defective transmissions, power steering units, radiators, and a slew of other problems. Many were prone to early rusting. This was the downfall that DeSoto endured and, ultimately, was unable to recover from.

The DeSoto Fireflite was an exquisite car with bold styling and proven performance.

by Dan Vaughan