While some motoring brands disappeared due to financial collapse, others found themselves in the dusty pages of history books as their parent companies retired marques to rationalize their offerings. DeSoto falls into the second category, with the final cars emerging from the factory at the end of November 1960. Our feature car is a 1959 Fireflite that has been in the hands of the same owner for almost three decades. It has a few minor needs, but it is a turnkey classic that the buyer could lift to a higher level as time and circumstances allow. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting the DeSoto listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Jacksonville, Florida. All someone needs to do is hand the seller $22,000 and they could drive away in this beauty.
The Fireflite first appeared within the DeSoto model range in 1955, but it wasn’t until the 1957 restyle performed by Virgil Exner that it received the huge fins that were part of the iconic “forward look” philosophy. Cosmetic changes in the following years were pretty minor and were typically restricted to updated bright trim to give each model year a fresh look. The first owner ordered this beauty in a two-tone combination of Surf Green and Forest Green. The seller admits it has a few cosmetic shortcomings, but there appear to be no severe issues that might cause the buyer nightmares. The paint shines, the panels are straight, and there is no evidence of rust. The car is missing at least one badge, although the remaining trim is respectable and easily acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle. The hubcaps are not original, and it would be worth searching for the correct ones to give the exterior a more “complete” look.
The supplied photos indicate that this Fireflite features aftermarket air conditioning and an under-dash CD player with speakers mounted in the rear parcel tray. Removing these items would be easy in the search for authenticity, although other changes appear to have been made. I believe the front seats and center armrest may have started life in a Convertible, and have been retrimmed at some point. The driver’s seat is set for a repeat performance, but with the required material readily available, this shouldn’t pose a huge problem. The remaining upholstered surfaces and dash look good, although the plated items show pimples and the wheel has cracked. However, if considered purely as a driver-grade vehicle, the interior is serviceable.
Buyers were never confused when selecting an engine to power a 1959 Fireflite, because there was only one motor. It was a 383ci V8 producing 325hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed TorqueFlite, and although this classic weighs in at 4,120 lbs, its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 15.5 seconds is pretty impressive. The seller admits that this car’s shortcomings aren’t merely cosmetic, because it has a few minor mechanical faults. They don’t specify what these are but indicate that this Fireflite is a turnkey proposition. They include an embedded walkaround video in their listing that features the engine running. It sounds really sweet, with no smoke or odd noises.
I have a soft spot for the DeSoto brand that stems from personal experience. My father almost bought a modified 1959 Firesweep with a Hemi under the hood as the family car, but it suffered an unfortunate collision with a crane days before delivery and was damaged beyond repair. It was one of the few times he looked at anything but a Ford, and he was drawn by the lure of its styling and the Hemi engine. I do not doubt that he would have loved this ’59 Fireflite, because it emerged in one of his favorite automotive eras. Someone could drive away in a car that perfectly encapsulates the ’50s trend towards larger fins and a genuine sense of presence. Are you tempted to be that person?
The very 1st car I remember riding in was the old mans ’59 DeSoto. As a lad, only a few things stand out, the speedometer that changed colors, the tail lights, and the big rear package betray we would stretch out on, the old man hit the brakes, we went flying. This was another car we were told not to sit too close to the doors. It certainly must have made a poor impression on him, as his next car was a ’63 Olds 98, and of all the cars he had, he rarely had another Chrysler product. I believe this was the last car that honored the “Tell ’em Groucho sent you”, as I believe Chrysler pulled the plug on DeSoto sponsorship in 1960. “It’s De-Lovely”,,,
I can’t say I like the front end styling on the ’59 Desoto, the ’60 was much better looking all around, really not much different than the Chrysler of that year. A guy down the road from us had a ’60 Fireflite, black with a white top and red interior. What a beauty! He would park it in the shade and Simoniz it a couple times a year, keeping a cooler of beer nearby.
Truly A 🎵 Delightful 🎶 Delovely 🎵 DeSoto! After learning to drive on a55 Black Firedome, I fell under DeSotos spell, loving the brand through final 61s. One of my HS teachers had a white over turquoise 59 Fireflite Sportsman. Passing on a 59 ADVENTURER and the last new 61 DeSoto in our community, much to my disappointment, in the summer of 62 they traded our beloved Firedome for a black 62 Plymouth Belvedere. One of the ugliest cars ever built. My ultimate dream cars are 61 Imperial LEBARON and final 61 DeSoto. Unfortunately both are beyond my reach, but I enjoy them daily in the form of 1-18 scale Diecast models and collages I created from advertising brochures. A great way to have your favorites without the cost and garage space.