Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
With the exception of select parts and a 2014 repaint, this DeSoto is a survivor
1-owner car
Original 341 cubic inch Fire Dome V8
Original A488 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission
Mostly original sheetmetal / Original trim
Our sale includes original key tags and an original Service Certificate
Mostly original Gray and White interior
Correct Fiesta Red and Frost White paint
Virtually every classic car enthusiast knows DeSoto as Chrysler's quirky mid-lux division. And while the brand was originally envisioned as a stepping stone to the corporation's namesake luxury marque, it also spawned performance and economy models to fend off internal competition from Dodge and Plymouth. That means the '50s power monsters MoPar enthusiasts know and love often have more exclusive counterparts like this stylish Fireflite Sportsman. Wrapping a hot 341 cubic inch Hemi V8 and stalwart pushbutton Torqueflite in a tailored interior and sweeping sheetmetal, this all-American cruiser HAS to be some of the coolest metal on the planet! And with only 7,216 companion cars, it's some of the rarest Detroit iron ever produced. For fans of unique cars, it doesn't get much better than an Exner era Chrysler. And if you're a discerning collector who's itching for a classic, big-fin MoPar that'll be the star of every cruise night in town, this '57 DeSoto is your ticket!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Based on legendary designer Virgil Exner's 'Forward Look' body, DeSoto's well-known Fireflite series is some of the finest metal to ever leave an American design studio. The spectacular Fiesta Red and Frost White example you see here was assembled at Chrysler's Detroit, Michigan manufacturing facility and exceptionally maintained by one fastidious owner for close to 57 years. Its mostly original sheetmetal reflects a smooth, 2-stage finish that was applied in the summer of 2014. Yards of original brightwork and stainless feature no modern supplements, with the exception of fresh chrome on the car's taillight housings and rear bumper. And, as far as we can tell, this coupe has never been fully disassembled, with the aforementioned owner instead opting to address issues of aging as they arose.
ENGINE
All that classy metal moves thanks to a Hemispherical Fire Dome V8, which is branded with a correct S26-27094 assembly stamp. Clocking in at 341 cubic inches, the square-bore mill turns hearty 9.25 to 1 compression into 295 horsepower and 390 lb./ft. of stout torque. And naturally, given the car's ownership history, the engine appears to wear a roster of correct and original pieces, from its glossy air cleaner and rebuilt Carter carburetor all the way to its beefy radiator and tagged red cap battery. Fire is provided by a traditional points distributor, which sequences sparks between an old school generator and 7mm Copper Conductor Cables. Combustion comes courtesy of a correct camshaft, which breathes through a correct intake and original exhaust manifolds. Aesthetically, the engine's clean Aluminum paint contrasts well against a fresh Fiesta firewall and glossy black fenders. And little details like gold valve covers, vivid "DESOTO FIREFLITE EIGHT" call-outs, stainless fluid lines and a Sparton horn round out this coupe's natural eyeball appeal.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
The 1957 DeSoto was "the car that makes yesterday seem years ago". Accordingly, the division's marketing gurus drowned the print world in ads touting the brand's new Torsion-Aire Suspension. And surprisingly, that statement still holds true today, as this big boulevard king sits on a freshly detailed chassis that veils pothole-shattering solidity in a silky smooth ride. Behind the Fire Dome V8, an original A488 Torqueflite 3-speed sends power to a correct rear end. That tough driveline spins in a factory-spec undercarriage that's complete with Chrysler's robust torsion bars and stiff outrider springs. At the corners of that chassis, heavy duty drum brakes ensure solid, fade-free stops. At the center of the car's rust-free floors, a traditional true-dual exhaust system employs deep, glasspack-style mufflers. And all this road-worthy hardware rides on painted and capped wheels, which spin pliable 8.50-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls.
INTERIOR
Take a look inside this coupe and you'll find a mostly-original Gray and White interior that sports enough room to haul the whole family in comfort! Wide bench seats prop piped and stitched vinyl under fresh centerpieces. In front of those seats, a Frost White dash hangs a crack-free pad over a correct AM radio and stylish, pushbutton transmission controls. That dash and seat combo is framed by rich carpet, textured door panels, chrome pillar covers and a white headliner that's stretched across polished roof bows. In front of the driver, a 2-tone steering wheel spins a chrome horn ring around an intricate DeSoto logo. And behind the passengers, a large trunk props an original jack and spare tire on an original mat.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
A variety of original marketing materials.
An original Owner's Manual
An original Service Certificate
Two original key tags
A March, 2014 photo of the car with its only owner
This classy DeSoto is a super cool cruiser that's easy to imagine as the focal point of a cross-country road trip. With its burly V8, tailored interior and dramatic styling, it represents the pinnacle of American design and manufacturing dominance. If you're looking for a top-notch classic that'll draw a crowd wherever it goes, your search is officially over!
