Vehicle Description
1955 Desoto Fireflite Sedan
In '55, there were no different bodies. Just different emblems and
the Fireflite had dual exhaust. Fireflite was a high-end car with
good performance and luxury options. Always Hemi powered like the
Firedome, but with a 4-bbl carburetor. DeSoto suddenly changed in
1955; so much so even Betty Grable was forced to stop and stare.
She and husband Harry James, with Groucho Marx hiding in the back
seat, appeared on national television extolling the virtues of the
"Styled for Tomorrow" 1955 DeSoto.
Some car stories revolve around courting and love, dating and the
process of eventually getting married. As is the case with this
car. Our retired AIU Philadelphia Policeman consigner was starting
to date his now long-term wife in a version of this car our
Policeman had in 1959. I guess it worked, because the couple got
married, and began a family, and had to expand from the original
1955 Fireflite. In the back of his mind though, kind of like his
first love, was always the first car owned, the '55 Fireflite.
Exterior
Starting out with a rust-free Arizona car, this find is now
sporting enormous white fang shaped insert panels on either side,
surrounded by beautiful straight black panels, and loads of
pristine chrome, this now restored edition of the Fireflite
presents beautifully. From its toothy grille (toned down from
previous years) to its chromed trim, rocker covers, headlight
bezels, bumpers and drip moldings, this car is worth its weight in
just chrome! "Fireflite" badging in mid-fifties style is worth the
price of admission as well. A white painted contrasting top over
the black gives this tuxedo like car the look of the king of the
prom.
Interior
A swing of the door and one gets the illusion that there seems to
be miles between the driver and front seat passenger. Black leather
bolsters with patterned inserts in gray and surrounded by white
piping, shows almost showroom. Large chromed base surrounds on the
front bench house the power seat controls. These two long benches
stretch from excellently restored door panel to excellent restored
door panel. A simplistic yet stylish dual eyebrow dash houses the
gauge and knob control cluster on the driver's side, and a glovebox
which contains a modern radio on the other side. Fronting the dash
and awaiting capable hands is a perfectly restored steering wheel,
which is in black and white, with grille like chrome spokes, and a
gold center medallion. Carpet and headliner present just perfectly
as well, when looking skyward or to the floor.
Drivetrain
A like new 291ci Hemi V8 sits within a restored engine bay, which
one could eat off of. A 4-barrel carb, (the Fireflite's signature)
is connected to a PowerFlite automatic transmission which is
actuated courtesy a "Flite" control lever located in the dash. I'm
beginning to feel like I need a pilot's license instead of a
driver's license for this car!
Undercarriage
As expected nearly showroom, with no surface rust or any structural
issues anywhere. All in excellent condition under here. Even clean
dual exhaust are noted.
Reigniting the spark of youth, our Policeman consigner spent many
and hour with his Arizona acquired Desoto Fireflite to get it just
right. But it's the memory it brought back that make it really
special. A true labor of love in more ways than one, now ready to
move to the capable hands of the next appreciator of mid-fifties
automobile finery. Also, a note this back seat looks like it's
never been sat in!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania,
conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76
Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and
our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for
more information or to come see the vehicle in person.