DeSoto was a storied division of Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 1961. It was part of a four-division family that also comprised the Dodge and Plymouth. But by the late 1950s. things were getting crowded and Chrysler discovered there wasn’t much of a market anymore for DeSoto, much like Ford learned with the short-lived Edsel. This Fireflite is from 1959 and was a step away in the trim department from the top-line Adventurer. The Fireflite was retired in 1960 and the whole division was gone a short way into the 1961 model year.
The beginning of the end for DeSoto may have come in 1958 when the automobile industry had a big drop in demand due to a recession in the U.S. economy. Sales never did recover even though the DeSoto also had the “Forward Look” styling that all Chrysler products were granted in 1957. While Plymouth and Dodge started to bounce back as the decade ended, demand for the DeSoto was going the other way.
This Fireflite (spelled Fireflight by the seller) looks like a solid ride, either very original or it has had an older restoration although we’re told the paint is mostly original. Photos are few with different versions of the same angles and none are provided of the interior or the engine compartment. So, we have to assume it’s at least cosmetically solid.
Under the hood is a 383 cubic inch V8, the first year in a Chrysler product. It has a 4-barrel carburetor and push-button automatic transmission, all of which run great (per the seller). The DeSoto has 90,000 miles, so it’s hardly been a garage queen. Interested parties can find the Mopar in Gillett, New York, and it’s available here on craigslist for $12,500. Why have a Forward Look Plymouth or Dodge when you can own a DeSoto? Thanks, Gunter Kramer, for this finned tip!
Here is yet another different Mopar from that late-50s era that I haven’t seen.
It blows my mind how many different models over all the divisions there were at that time.
Chrysler, Imperial, Dodge, Plymouth, DeSoto, trucks……sedans, hardtops, wagons, convertibles….The variety seems endless. So many stampings, so many different interiors/glass/chrome pieces etc etc, and then in so many different colors!! How did they ever keep track of it all?
I have read that they were indeed overwhelmed, and as such, the build quality suffered, which led to a stigma about Chrysler quality through the 1960s.
I believe by ’65 they had righted the ship, but then the gas crunch hit and it was yet another hurdle for father Mopar to overcome.
I find this car to be very intriguing. The single-tone black paint combines nicely with all the chrome to give it an upscale air. Pity about the front bumper. Perhaps an experienced body guy could get it back into shape. I was surprised to see two 1959 DeSoto bumpers pop up when I searched, but both were around $500 and damaged, as well. It’s not hard to see why DeSoto was on borrowed time: both bumpers are advertised as fitting DeSoto or Chrysler.
C.C.Fisher, I can’ tell you that late 50’s Chrysler and DeSoto’s front bumpers are the same, but my Hollander’s Interchange Manual says that 1960 and 1961 models will interchange. My guess is that 1959’s are also the same, but that’s only a guess.
As a long time DeSoto devotee, I’m happy to see this Delightful, Delovely DeSoto Fireflite. The chrome strips on the trunk lid might have been an option or added, as they were standard on ADVENTURER. With limited sales and relatively few survivors, finding parts could be a challenge, but IMO worth the effort. The National DeSoto Club would be a good start. The price is reasonable for a piece of American Automobile History. Unfortunately, Chrysler Corp is no longer really Chrysler and focuses on vehicles in no way remotely similar to ANY fabled Chrysler Corp products. As once advertised, Drive A DeSoto Before You Decide. And be sure to tell them Groucho sent you! 😉
Just saw one of these at our local father’s day car show. 1959 4 door, burgundy roof over a cream body, wide white walls, original wheel covers and clear plastic covered seats. I’d upload a picture, but not a member.
1st car I remember riding in was the old mans ’59 DeSoto. They had 4 models, Firesweep, Firedome, Fireflite and Adventurer. ( had a fire thing going). I’m sure the Firesweep was the cheapie, and probably what the old man had. To show the influence a TV show can have, dad never liked Chryslers, and probably bought one surely on Grouchos approval. Chrysler sold a lot of DeSotos, ( 45,000 in 1959 alone) thanks to that man. I don’t remember much about the car, except the useless dash mounted mirror, or the speedometer that changed colors, the rear package tray we used to ride on, it was his last Chrysler, and switched to Oldsmobiles. And I’d leave the dents, adds a little character. I would lose the corny exhaust tips, however. Great find.
ROCK HUDSON did at least one TV commercial for DeSoto. Back in the day, many celebrities did car commercials and were featured in print adds. Several years ago Matthew McConaughey did TV ad for Lincoln.
Seller must not be serious. No interior pictures, no under hood pictures, no underneath pictures. Interesting car, seller wasting everyone’s time.
He cannot spell either!
Hands down, the BEST tails on any car in 1959! (Park this next to a Caddy!)
Try finding another…I just wish more pics were taken. Presentation and salesmanship go a long way.
As much as I like Chrysler’s “Forward Look”, GM did a HUGE styling leap-frog over Chrysler in ’59 and “Suddenly, it’s 1960” became dated.
Harley Earl overreacted to the 57 Forward Look Chrysler lineup, creating some of the most bizarre styling in Detriot history for 1959; specifically with the bull-nut tail lights on the 59 Caddy fins.
FYI….Dick Teague first and famously addressed the taillights mentioned. In 1954 James J. Nance told Teague to DO Something about those damn BULL BALL taillights used on Packard. In a single weekend, Teague designed the famous Cathedral tail lights introduced on 55 Packard. The Packard taillights were
an even more representational! 😲.
@ Gary
This is a common misconception. Harley Earl didn’t design the 1959 models, Bill Mitchell did.
Harley Earl was retiring in 1959. These were to be his Swan Song, but as fate would have it, he went on either an extended business trip or vacation (can’t remember which) which left Bill Mitchell in charge.
Mr. Mitchell made a few radical changes to the start of design for the 1959 model year. By the time Harley returned, it was really too late to redesign back to what Harley had originally proposed, so he approved the designs and everything went into production.
1959 was Bill Mitchell’s charge, taking over for Harley Earls retirement.
Bill Mitchell was head designer well into the 1970s. I think that’s why General Models had the most beautiful cars throughout the 1960s.
I may be a little off on some details so if anyone would like to add and corrected info please do.
Angel , have you seen Harleys proposals for 59 Cadillacs? Face-lift 58s with Even MORE CHROME! 👍 I also once read that the Buick front doors for 59 were the basis for all divisions! 🤔 For me,only the 59 Fleetwood Sixty Special could be close to the 58 full line of Cadillacs. Viva Las Chromas!
I don’t know if it’s the elongated hood and trunk with those fins, but the 4 door version does not suffer when compared to the 2 door.
Wow, just wow. Those exhaust tips gotta go, though. I like the chrome strips on the trunk. Much classier than the toilet seat. I’ve always loved the late 50s Desoto’s. One of my favorite cars would be a 55 DeSoto Firedome 4 door sedan in coral and white.
Blake, I learned to drive on a black 55 Firedome (fresh from service as a family car at a local funeral home). My parents passed up trading for a 59 ADVENTURER and the last 61 DeSoto in our town, only to trade my beloved 55 for 😲 a 62 Plymouth Belvedere! 🤮. Loved my parents but never understood that decision. Well, that’s my sob (definitely not SAAB ) story! I’ve always wanted a 61 DeSoto, but with limited production, never could find one I could afford.
Blake, how about a 55 DeSoto Coronado in tri tone, black, white and turquoise? I believe one of the first tri tone combinations. Even these offered choices of how where the colors were applied. Another Forward Look from DeSoto. Today monotones are as monotonous as the vehicles.
Looks like the car in the Leave it to Beaver closing credits.