LOT 202 •
1957 DeSoto Fireflite Sedan Chassis no. 50406683
Estimate: US$12,000 - US$15,000
Lot 202•
1957 DeSoto Fireflite Sedan Chassis no. 50406683
The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia|7 June 2009, 12:00 EDT|Connecticut, Greenwich
1957 DeSoto Fireflite Sedan
Chassis no. 50406683
Chassis no. 50406683
DeSoto, originally intended to be Walter Chrysler’s mid-priced car, was re-positioned in the corporate lineup after Chrysler purchased Dodge. From 1933, DeSoto was an upscale “idea car,” countering GM’s Oldsmobile. Advanced features pioneered by DeSoto included an attractive, Miller-inspired grille in 1932-33, hidden headlights in 1942 and a long-wheelbase, highly-trimmed Suburban prestige utility sedan built from 1946 to 1952.
Of relatively modest mechanical specification for most of its life, DeSoto became the second Chrysler Corporation marque to get V8 power, with a smaller version of Chrysler’s new hemi-head V8 in 1952. Named “Firedome,” the new model developed 160 horsepower from 276 cubic inches, only ten percent less power than Chrysler from 55 fewer cubic inches.
Virgil Exner’s new Forward Look styling in 1955 helped all Chrysler marques to prosper; DeSoto’s sales nearly doubled. For 1957, Exner pulled out all the stops, taking the Forward Look even farther forward with tall fins, so advanced that the ads said “Suddenly it’s 1960.” It wasn’t, quite, but it was sufficiently far ahead that General Motors redesigned their whole lineup several years early just to stay competitive.
This four-door Fireflite, DeSoto’s most expensive 1957 sedan, is an excellent original car with only a modest freshening. The attractive Charcoal Gray and White paint scheme presents as new, with only minor touch-ups. Despite its age the paint exhibits a deep shine, and the car’s body is unblemished. The interior is all original, and shows only slight wear. Recent work has included a professional rebuild of the Torqueflite pushbutton automatic transmission and installation of a new fuel tank. The 341 cubic inch hemi engine runs extremely well, as befits the recorded mileage of just over 44,000.
Always garaged and never driven in winter, the car is remarkably well preserved. Presently with its third owner, who purchased it in 2006, it comes with records from recent work, a service manual and the original tool kit. One of the nicest DeSotos to be found in the northeast, it is ready to drive, to show or to embark on a cross-country tour.
Of relatively modest mechanical specification for most of its life, DeSoto became the second Chrysler Corporation marque to get V8 power, with a smaller version of Chrysler’s new hemi-head V8 in 1952. Named “Firedome,” the new model developed 160 horsepower from 276 cubic inches, only ten percent less power than Chrysler from 55 fewer cubic inches.
Virgil Exner’s new Forward Look styling in 1955 helped all Chrysler marques to prosper; DeSoto’s sales nearly doubled. For 1957, Exner pulled out all the stops, taking the Forward Look even farther forward with tall fins, so advanced that the ads said “Suddenly it’s 1960.” It wasn’t, quite, but it was sufficiently far ahead that General Motors redesigned their whole lineup several years early just to stay competitive.
This four-door Fireflite, DeSoto’s most expensive 1957 sedan, is an excellent original car with only a modest freshening. The attractive Charcoal Gray and White paint scheme presents as new, with only minor touch-ups. Despite its age the paint exhibits a deep shine, and the car’s body is unblemished. The interior is all original, and shows only slight wear. Recent work has included a professional rebuild of the Torqueflite pushbutton automatic transmission and installation of a new fuel tank. The 341 cubic inch hemi engine runs extremely well, as befits the recorded mileage of just over 44,000.
Always garaged and never driven in winter, the car is remarkably well preserved. Presently with its third owner, who purchased it in 2006, it comes with records from recent work, a service manual and the original tool kit. One of the nicest DeSotos to be found in the northeast, it is ready to drive, to show or to embark on a cross-country tour.
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAuction Viewings
Lot symbols
| • | Exempt from tax |
| Zero rated for tax, no tax will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. |