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1957 DeSoto Firesweep

DeSoto produced the Firesweep from 1957 through 1959, with 81,517 total examples built. Within the DeSoto lineup, it was the entry-level model, and for 1957 prices ranged from $2,775 to $3,300. Body styles included a two- and four-door Sportsman, a sedan, and a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon.

DeSoto vehicles received new chassis and styling for 1975, with bodies that were longer and lower than the previous year's designs. There were new sweep treatments, a larger bumper grille combination, new side trim, and new upswept rear fender tailfins.

The DeSoto Firesweep was powered by the overhead-valve, Dodge 'Poly' 325 cubic-inch V8 with 8.5:1 compression, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 245 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. This engine was essentially a detuned polyspherical combustion chambered version of the Dodge 'Red Ram' 325 Hemi. With the optional Power-Pack four-barrel V8, the engine delivered 260 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. Transmission options included a two-speed PowerFlite, a three-speed TorqueFlite, or a three-speed column-shifted manual. All 1957 DeSoto vehicles came standard with automatic transmissions, with the lower-cost models receiving a slight additional cost. The PowerFlite automatic transmission, only offered in the Firesweep, added $180 to the base price. The TorqueFlite automatic, available in all models, was approximately $220 extra. Both of these automatic transmissions had push-button gear shifting. The three-speed manual with column-mounted gearshift was an uncommon 'deduct option' request.

The Firesweep rested on the shortest wheelbase platform in the lineup, measuring 122 inches compared to the 126-inch of the other models. The Firedome and Fireflite were powered by a 341.4 CID V8 (the Firedome had a Carter two-barrel carburetor and delivered 270 horsepower, and the Fireflite had a four-barrel Carter carburetor with 295 horsepower). The top-of-the-line Adventurer had a 345 CID V8 with 345 hp.

Standard equipment and features on the Firesweep included Torsionare torsion bar front suspension, Oriflow shocks, Total Contact brakes, Power-Tip spark plugs, and Safety-Lock door latches. Power window lifts, a six-way power seat, dual exhaust, power steering, power brakes, Air conditioning with Fresh Air heater, and tinted glass were among the options.

The best year for the DeSoto Firesweep was 1957, with 41,269 examples produced, accounting for nearly 33 percent of DeSoto's total production.

by Dan Vaughan

Sportsman
Chassis number: 60017227
Engine number: 526A-23625

The Firesweep was DeSoto's entry-level model in 1957, built atop a 122-inch wheelbase chassis and offered in two- and four-door hardtop Sportmans body styles as well as a sedan and two station wagons.

This particular DeSoto Firesweep Sportsman Coupe was one of the final examples built for 1957 at the Los Angeles factory and was likely originally sold on the West Coast. Beneath its bonnet is an upgraded Adventurer-specification 345 horsepower Hemi V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors, a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission, manual steering and brakes, and both heater and radio delete. It has Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels, and the trunk is finished as the rest of the car, with correct carpets and a full-sized spare wheel and tire.

This DeSoto was restored by prior owner Bob Schmidt in the colors of Dusty Orange and Black, with a matching interior finished in a combination of flat and heat-pressed vinyl with print cloth accents. Since the work was completed, the Firesweep has been driven a mere twelve miles.

Since 2013, this DeSoto has been in the care of the Gateway Automobile Museum.

by Dan Vaughan

For nearly thirty-three years, the DeSoto name was a fixture in the automotive world and offered advanced engineering, economy, and style.

Walter P. Chrysler launched the DeSoto and Plymouth lines in May of 1928 to compete with the GM mid-prices lines, Oldsmobile and Pontiac. The appointed president of the new DeSoto Motors Corporation was Joseph E. Fields.

Production of the original 1929 Model K DeSoto 6 began in July 1929 at the Dodge Highland Park plant and the launch was August 4th of that same year. The appeal was immediately stunning, and within one year, a total of 80,000 units of the new model had been sold. Setting a sales record for new model introduction, the 100,000th DeSoto was sold in November of 1929, resulting in a record that wouldn't be topped until almost 1960. The sales reached a level that required a new plant to be opened for DeSoto, and her sister line, Plymouth. The Lynch Road facility was opened in 1929.

The Desoto Model CF with a straight-eight engine was introduced in January 1930. Though too expensive to be marketed as a mid-priced vehicle, the following year, Chrysler introduced its version with a straight-eight, based on the DeSoto tooling. By 1933 both DeSoto and Plymouth had outgrown their Lynch Road home, and production was moved to the Jefferson Avenue Plymouth plant.

Sold through the DeSoto brand of Chrysler Corporation, the Firesweep was an automobile produced from 1957 through 1959. Though resembling current models at the time, the DeSoto might just as well have been a Dodge; as it consisted of a DeSoto body on Dodge chassis, with Dodge engines and Dodge doors. The front clip was based on the Dodge Coronet, while the signature tail fins were directly from the DeSoto's lineup. Typical of Dodge, the headlight design was located under heavily chromed lids. The grille on the Firesweep was also very similar to those on other DeSoto models. The Firesweep was also built at the Dodge Main facility in Hamtramck.

The Firesweep was sold in a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 5-door station wagon or a 2-door convertible version. The Firesweep could seat up to six passengers. Weighing between 3,660 and 3,980 lb depending on body style, the Firesweep's power came from Chrysler's 361 V8 overhead valve engine capable of 295 hp at 4,600 rpm. Standard was a 3-speed manual transmission, and an option was Torqueflite automatic transmission. The automatic transmission was found on the majority of 1959 Firesweeps.

Offered in one and two-tone exterior finishes, the base price on the 1957 DeSota Firesweep was $3,169. Available features included power brakes and steering, push-button radio, dashboard clock, and whitewall tires.

The most lucrative year for Firesweep sales was 1957. Unfortunately, by 1959, the decline in DeSoto quality and increasing market pressures led to the demise of Firesweep's production. At this time, all vehicles carried only DeSota external nameplates.

The individual companies were downgraded to divisions of the parent Chrysler Corporation in June 1958, and the presidents 'demoted' to general managers. DeSoto was downgraded from an independent division in October, and Harry E. Cheseborough was named the general manager of the new Plymouth-DeSoto-Valiant Division.

The once-proud DeSoto line was reduced to the final two series introduced in 1960, the Adventurer and Fireflite. The marque was merged with the Plymouth line. In this same year, the two millionth DeSoto was sold. Lacking a series name, for the 1961 model year, the final DeSoto model was introduced. In November of 1960, DeSoto production ended. The marque was relegated to history as the remaining stock of 1960 parts was used to build the last few vehicles.

by Jessican Donaldson