Are you a wagon fan but can’t seem find the right classic you need? Perhaps you desire a classic station wagon that is more regal and classic than the great muscle haulers of the 1960’s and 1970’s? Well this 1954 Firedome wagon is Hemi powered, and relatively complete. Appearing to be quite solid with some minor rust concerns, this sleek and stylish family oriented Desoto is offered for $5,500! Check it out here on craigslist out of Los Angeles, California.
The great styling of this wagon is an easy selling point, but the 276 cubic inch Hemi V8 only makes it that much sweeter. Not currently running or checked, the condition of the engine is unknown. The seller states he did not try to turn it over, but it would seem that if it hasn’t been “touched” then there is no reason for the air cleaner to be removed? Other than some mild surface rust on the engine, the bay is quite reasonable with a lot of factory paint remaining. The wiring looks a bit crisp and frayed, but overall the engine would appear as untouched.
Inside there are a few boxes with “parts” in them, but I am assuming they are spares as much of the car appears to be complete. The interior has a rough appearance, but it would seem removing the horrible old floor padding, seats, and headliner would do wonders. The floors appear solid, and the dash and steering column appear reasonable. The door panels are trashed, and really the interior should be gutted and reupholstered to yield a nice look.
If you are looking for a great looking wagon with beautiful styling, and a solid body then look no further. Remarkably straight, this wagon is prime for a restoration or a project of your choice. The only noted and noticeable rust on this car lies in the bottom of the driver door with a few blisters, and there looks to be some surface rust near the drip rail area around the roof. Beyond those concerns this not so common wagon has excellent glass, and all of its trim in place making it that much more appealing. With classy good looks, and appearing as the prefect vehicle to tow a classic Airstream camper, is this Desoto your ideal classic station wagon?
Listing already gone!
The tailgates inevitably fill with water, rusting out from the inside… there are all kinds of trim and bits only used on the wagon… and even the WINDSHIELD is a wagon-only piece, making these extremely difficult to fix up. Still, I’ve owned two of these (still have one in mid-restoration) and absolutely love them. Classy and utilitarian – not trying to be “Nomad sporty” or “Cadillac Broadmoor fussy”, They’re just this perfect intersection of luxury and approachability.
Great post Brad C. This is what I like about Barn Finds. Good info on cars some of us may be unfamiliar with, the good and bad. Nice to see a photo of what this Desoto could look like.
Thanks, Alex; knowing this is an educated crowd, I didn’t bother mentioning mine are ’53 and ’54 Chrysler Town & Country models (a Windsor in the photo, and a New Yorker currently being restored).
Beyond the trim and different dash designs though, these ’53/’54 Desotos and Chryslers basically interchangeable. 1950-52 wagons also looked similar, but of course had split windshields; Dodge also offered a Coronet Sierra version during 50-52, but later pared down to just the square-backed Suburban.
It’s a quirky little period for Mopar, but i love these waning years of post-WWII conservatism – just prior to Exner putting his stamp on the 1950s.
I am picturing the hapless Mr. Suburbia that bought this car new. Sometime in the fall of 1954, he is smoking his pipe and reading the Sunday newspaper in his suburban tract house. There, on the back of the front section is a color ad for the all new 1955 DeSoto…….
Dear, why did you buy that so-so looking ’54 model, when you could have gotten one of these beautiful looking all new 1955 models instead (she points to the ad in the paper).
Because you kept bugging me to trade in that “boxy looking” four door 1950 Dodge “K.T.Keller-mobile”, as you called it, in which I was able to sit inside without removing my hat. I liked that car! Besides, I got a hell of a deal on the ’54 close-out clearance sale!
I am picturing this guy 6 months into his 3 year note on the ’54 suddenly realizing that his “almost new” car now looks like something from 10 years ago. And that Mrs. Suburbia is now embarrassed to drive the 54 to the grocery store and the bridge club
I really like this wagon, but I can’t think of another year model change after 1950 that went from dowdy to wowza quite as fast as 54 to 55 Chryslers.
God that thing is beautiful.
We had a two-door model. It had a better looking roofline/rear window. Oh how I begged my mother to save it for me!
Im ready for my DeSoto now, Mom
Sweet Ride! I wish I had room for it ;)
Y the “fire dome” name?
I wuz hopin to find a nice clear sun roof or something ‘different’ on it…
(May B they didn’t wanna use the word volcano?)