The DeSoto Firedome Years, 1952-59

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The fifties were DeSoto’s most glamorous years, and the Firedome models were a major part of the scene.   

 

1952 Firedome Sedan

Fun fact: The 1952-59 DeSoto Firedome was named after a combustion chamber. Introduced in 1952, DeSoto’s first overhead-valve V8 was branded the Firedome for the “fire dome” of its hemispherical combustion chambers. This new V8 was smaller than its Chrysler Hemi sibling at 276.1 cubic inches, but nearly as potent with 160 hp. To promote the V8, a new DeSoto flagship model was rolled out at the same time with the same name, Firedome. The Firedome engine was exclusive to the Firedome model, which was initially marketed as the Firedome 8. (V8 badges were added a short time later.) DeSoto’s other two models, DeLuxe and Custom, got along with the old L-head six.

 

1953 Firedome Club Coupe 

For 1953, the entire DeSoto line received new exterior styling, Firedome included. Six body styles were offered, including a Club Coupe with B-pillar and a pillarless Sportsman Hardtop Coupe. In the following year the Powerflite, the Chrysler Corporation’s first fully automatic transmission, was introduced as a $189 option. Power steering, pioneered by Chrysler in 1952, was another popular extra. In both ’53 and ’54 the Firedome was DeSoto’s best-selling model, outpacing the six-cylinder Powermaster base model by a healthy margin.

 

1955 Firedome Special Hardtop Coupe

The big buzz for ’55 was the introduction of Virgil Exner’s Forward look styling theme, applied to the cars of all five Chrysler divisions. It’s often been said the DeSoto version was the most handsome of the group in ’55. With the old L-head six discontinued, the Firedome V8 (now enlarged to 291 CID) was now the sole engine at DeSoto. However, the Firedome was no longer the flagship at DeSoto as a new model, the Fireflite, took its place. A slightly less fancy version of the Firedome Sportsman Hardtop called the Special (above) was offered for a single year. At $2,541, the Special came in at $113 less than the Sportsman.

 

1957 Firedome Sedan

The Forward Look design theme at Chrysler received its first major overhaul in 1957, and with its low roof and tall tail fins across the board, DeSoto included, it was the sensation of the Motor City that year. The Firedome no longer rested at the bottom of the product line as a new model, the Dodge-based Firesweep, was slipped in. With its lower price, the Firesweep gobbled up a significant portion of the Firedome’s sales volume.

Nineteen-fifty-seven was also the last year for the Firedome hemi V8, as it was replaced by a wedge-head B-Series corporate V8 for ’58. However, the Firedome model continued, powered by a 341 cubic-inch version of the B-Series V8 with 270 hp. The ’59 Firedome was offered in 15 exterior colors—while it’s not so often mentioned, color was a key element in Exner’s Forward Look concept. But now DeSoto’s annual sales were in steep decline, falling below the 50,000 level. In 1960, the Firedome was dropped, leaving just two models, Fireflite and Adventurer, and for 1961 there was but one model, DeSoto. The ’61 DeSoto was introduced on October 14, 1960, but on November 30, the division was officially eliminated. The 32-year history of DeSoto was concluded.

 

1959 Firedome Sportsman Hardtop Sedan 

12 thoughts on “The DeSoto Firedome Years, 1952-59”

  1. I’m a bit surprised that Groucho Marx wasn’t mentioned.( unless I missed it) Considering MCGs audience, Groucho and DeSoto went hand in hand. From 1952 to 1958, Groucho pitched DeSotos on his TV show “You bet your life” ( a name that would never fly today)and was so popular, he probably helped sell half of them. My parents and grandparents never missed a show. Me and my brother took that time to rummage through grandpas junk downstairs. He was one of the 1st to promote DeSotos power steering, a huge milestone, as women, who made up most of his audience, could now maneuver a car with ease.
    I had, as a kid in the late 60s, a neighbor friend a bit older, and a bad influence, his 1st car was a 1954 Chrysler 4 door, with a bad 6 and automatic. The car was spotless, got it from some old ladies, who he had to promise he’d fix it, maybe $100. He fixed it alright. He then found a ’54 DeSoto with a hemi and automatic, in poor shape, but ran okay, $50, I believe, and we all helped swap out the 6. It wasn’t a bad car after that, but he “took care of it”. It did wicked burnouts and the tranny puked, and it was hauled away.
    The 1st car I remember my folks having, was a ’59 or ’60 DeSoto, 4 door like the last one pictured. My dad never liked Chryslers, but I think he got one on Grouchos recommendation. Don’t remember much except the ribbon speedometer changed colors. They were great road cars, and “tell them Groucho sent you”.

  2. November 18, 1960:
    “Chrysler Corporation is discontinuing production of the 1961 DeSoto. Your factory dealer council has been informed of the decision. Sound business judgement dictates concentrating selling effort in the low priced segment of the market where volume potential has been steadily improving. With two highly acceptable entries, Plymouth and Valiant, your profit and volume forecast is excellent. Public reception of these fine cars has been gratifying and confirms that another high volume year is ahead for all of us. Letter Follows.”

    – E. C. Quinn, General Manager, Sales Division Chrysler Motors Corporation.

    • More great history MCG, thank you! The ’58 DeSoto Fireflight V8 was the 350 cu. in. version of the new wedge engine. The bogus ’58 Firedome wedge V8 displaced 361 cubes, enlarged to 383 in ’59…

    • Interesting that it wasn’t mentioned that any customers with DeSoto orders whose cars were not yet built would get Chrysler Newports.

  3. Not directly related to Firedome, but a great pity that MoPar didn’t kill the ’62 Dodge and produce the ’62 DeSoto proposal that you wrote about earlier.

  4. Ford and Chrysler had such a hard time following the GM multi-marque example that it’s a wonder GM itself was able to make it work for so long.

    Fifties DeSotos hardly differed in appearance from Chryslers and the engines were the same, so different brands didn’t make sense. Which is what ultimately killed Pontiac and Oldsmobile.

    • Yes indeed. The Chrysler brands were so close in product and price that they would often poach each other. The Dodge-based DeSoto Firesweep took Dodge sales. Then in 1960 the Plymouth-based Dodge Dart took away Plymouth sales.

    • I believe in part what killed DeSoto was similar to the Edsel fiasco. Like Edsel, there just wasn’t a market for another full size car between Mercury and Ford. Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler were all the public wanted, apparently.

  5. Surprised the author didn’t include the ‘56 DeSoto, in my opinion the sharpest looking car of the bunch, and the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car.

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