DeSoto Fireflite: fins, pace car and a golden year

The DeSoto Fireflite is a full-size premium automobile produced by DeSoto in the United States from 1955 until 1960. Introduced as the top trim of the DeSoto Firedome, it grew into a model in its own right, carried some of the boldest tail fins of the Virgil Exner era, and served as the official pace car of the 1956 Indianapolis 500.

DeSoto Fireflite at a glance

History of the DeSoto Fireflite

1955: a top trim becomes a model

The Fireflite was introduced in 1955 as the top trim package of the DeSoto Firedome. It was wider and longer than the Firedome and came with a hemispherical-head 291 cubic inch V8 rated at 200 bhp with the four-barrel carburettor, mated to a PowerFlite automatic operated by a Flite-Control lever on the dashboard. It weighed 4,070 lb, cost US$3,544 and an AM radio cost US$110 more. The bold design helped DeSoto: in 1955 the division built over 114,765 cars, its best year since 1946.

1956: fins and a pace car

The 1956 Fireflite is best known for its long, tapering tail fins, often emphasised by a two-tone finish. Inside there was bench seating for six, 0–60 mph took 11 seconds and the top speed was 110 mph. The engine grew to 330 cubic inches through a longer 3.80 in stroke, with compression raised to 8.5:1 and power to 230 bhp; the model accounted for 27.39 per cent of DeSoto sales that year. Power seats cost US$70 and power brakes US$40. DeSoto itself placed eleventh in US production for 1956 with 110,418 cars. In that year a gold and white Fireflite convertible served as the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500; no official figure was released, but research by National DeSoto Club members put production of the pace-car convertibles at between 390 and 426. Indianapolis 500 president Tony Hulman said the DeSoto was chosen unanimously because of its “outstanding performance and superb handling characteristics”.

1957–1960: Exner’s restyle and the end

The Fireflite’s 1957 appearance was redesigned with the help of Chrysler’s head stylist Virgil Exner: large tail fins, dual oval exhausts and triple-lens tail lamps. A four-headlamp system was optional on both the Fireflite and the Firedome, a station wagon joined the range, back-up lights became standard, and the 330 Hemi gave way to a 341 cubic inch unit rated at 270 bhp with two carburettors or 295 bhp with four. That year the Adventurer superseded the Fireflite as DeSoto’s premium model, although the Fireflite still offered high-grade appointments across the full line of bodies. A new engine was added for 1958, the car was restyled for 1959, the electric clock became standard and a hand-brake light was optional. Chrysler discontinued the Fireflite at the end of the 1960 model year, along with the DeSoto brand in November 1960.

Design and features

• Hemi power: from the 200 bhp 291 in 1955 to the 295 bhp 341 in 1957.
• Flite-Control: PowerFlite automatic worked by a lever on the dashboard.
• Tail fins: the 1956 car’s long tapering fins became a hallmark of the model.
• Pace car: a gold and white 1956 convertible led the Indianapolis 500.
• Exner restyle: the 1957 car brought big fins and triple-lens tail lamps.

DeSoto Fireflite versions

• 1955 Fireflite: the original top-trim car with the 291 Hemi.
• 1956 Fireflite: 330 cubic inch engine and the long tail fins.
• 1956 pace car convertible: gold and white, 390–426 built.
• 1957 Fireflite: Exner restyle with the 341 Hemi and a new station wagon.
• 1959 Fireflite: restyled car with the electric clock made standard.

The Fireflite topped the Firedome and was in turn outranked by the Adventurer. More DeSotos are in the DeSoto collection.

Video: 134745 / 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman

Video on YouTube.

Sources

• DeSoto Fireflite, English Wikipedia: design, engines, prices, sales, pace car, year-by-year changes