For Sale: 1955 DeSoto Fireflite in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1955 Desoto Fireflite 2 Door Hardtop

"DeSoto was clearly onto a great thing with the fire themed names, or so they thought. The Fireflite was introduced in 1955 as the range topping model in an attempt to expand the DeSoto model lineup. The Firesweep followed in 1957 as a Dodge based entry level model." Curbsideclassics.com

For consignment, a 1955 Desoto Fireflite 2 door hardtop showing 5,933 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This custom street rod was built by The Hobby Shop in Glendale, California and has been featured in American Rodder several times as well as other rodding publications. It also has a long list of awards and was even replicated in diecast form by M2 Machines, an example of which is included with the sale.

Exterior
Definitely has a SoCal vibe with a low slung body wearing two stage fuchsia alternating with bright white that covers the roof and fills the distinctive panel on the sides. Polished trim borders all of the white including a robust trim piece on the C-pillar. The car's been expertly decked, nosed, and shaved and the Fireflite name bears out in flame outlines on the sides and along the roofline, while pinstriping encircles the car with elaborate flourishes front and rear. Ornate wheel covers cap the 15-inch wheels that emit a ring of teal colored steel. Imperfections include some light pitting on a front window frame, several scratches including a pair of sizable ones on a door, touched up chips, edge chips, spider cracks, peeling paint on a door sill, peeling chrome from a bumper, pitting in stainless side trim, ding and disconnection of another, filler evidence in door jamb, scuffs throughout, and some bubbling.

Interior
White vinyl door panels include a pleated center insert and polished trim as well as a fuchsia and white detail in the corner. The vinyl is fully intact and shows some typical and slight discoloration in spots but overall clean. A big split bench and equally large seat in back are the laps of luxury and elegant in white, pleated vinyl, both with purple seat belts. The color palette continues up front, this time including black in the two tone steering wheels with polished features, leading to a white dash with black faced gauges flanking the vintage speedometer. Chrome trim continues to the passenger side of the where a pinstripe flourish accompanies the Fireflite name in mid century font, all under black dash pad in nice shape. In the glovebox is a JVC AM/FM/CD player and on the floor, a Lokar shifter over black carpet along with a custom cup holder. The trunk also benefits from black carpet and walls of pleated white vinyl and houses a spare covered in white with fuchsia piping for the finishing touch.

Drivetrain
Covered by a custom painted and matching shroud, we have a 291ci Hemi V8, rated at 200 horsepower and fueled via a single 4-barrel although the shroud is topped by six pack style triple air cleaner covers. Chrome valve covers are stamped with Fire Dome, painted to match, and the engine is mated to a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission routing power to a 8 � inch rear. The bay presents cleanly and show ready.

Undercarriage
Generally clean underneath with some typical surface rust and some Swiss cheese rust on an inner panel. Dual exhaust runs through glasspack style mufflers and exits through square polished tips. Power brakes are on board as front disc and rear drum and suspension consists of coil springs in front and leaf springs in back with a 2" drop.

Drive-Ability
We bring the V8 to life and roll onto the tarmac with a little bit of Santana playing in our head. The car delivers a comfortable ride with decent power, smooth shifting and straight tracking. Of note are things not working including the reverse lights, AM radio, and passenger door exterior popper. We also note the tires rub during sharp turns. Beyond that, all functions operate as intended and we return to the mall so this car can begin its purple reign! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

There are more than 130 images of the car's build included with receipts for all the parts and labor so you'll have a documented history of the car to answer all the questions you'll inevitably get at car shows. We don't see too many Desoto's at Classic Auto Mall and a customized one is, as they said back in '55, the cat's meow!

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!