The DeSoto Fireflite Pacesetter Convertible was released by DeSoto to commemorate the fact that the Fireflite was chosen as the official Pace Car for the 1956 Indianapolis 500. Because there were no official production numbers retained by DeSoto, there is some conjecture as to the exact number of Pacesetter built, but reliable estimates place the total at around 400 cars. This particular DeSoto needs a lot of work, but there are some real possibilities there. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Quincy, Michigan, it is offered with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN price of $25,000 for this DeSoto, but the option is there to make an offer.
There is certainly no end of rust issues to address on this car, but there is some good news as well. As you can see, the car has a really nice, rust-free frame that is now under it, and there is also a rust-free trunk floor as well. There is rust in the lower rear quarters and small amounts in the bottoms of both front fenders and both doors. The seller does state that the car will require new floors and new rockers. On the plus side, it appears that all of the exterior trim and chrome is present, although some of it will require restoration. The seller also has a set of restored correct gold wheel covers. The car will also require a new top, although the frame appears to be present and in reasonable condition.
The interior has not weathered well, and it will require a full restoration. Judging by the supplied photos it appears that everything is present, and no major items are missing. Once again the seller comes to the party with some good news. The material for the interior trim is not particularly common, but the seller has obtained some brand new correct cloth, and this is included in the sale.
Under the hood is the 230 hp 330ci V8, which is backed by the PowerFlite automatic transmission. The seller does not indicate whether the engine turns freely, but I would be expecting a fair amount of work to bring the drive-train back to life. Given the age of the car and its relative rarity when new, it could be time and effort well spent.
With only around 400 of these Pacesetters built, that makes this particular car one of the rarest of the DeSoto range. When new it must have been a striking car. Restoration of this one is going to be a fairly big job, but it does have the potential to be a beautiful car when completed. For me, one of the motivations for restoring this car would be to then take it to car shows. Just imagine how much this car would stand out parked among a group of Indy Pace Cars from subsequent years.
Well now you’ve done it. I won’t bore y’allsusus (many plurals) about my engineer dad that worked for Chrysler. His first assignment was in KC as a customer service engineer.
He picked me up at school in an Adventurer of this color scheme to deliver it to his boss’s wife. He got into trouble drag racing a new ‘Vette. The cop was most understanding and later bought a ’56 Fireflite for himself, and a ’57 Firemite for his sons. They lived the next block down from us.
KC put on the best auto shows back then. Seeing the Paceserter on a turntable resplendent with two long-gowned ladies demonstrating the golden prize. Long before Goth-dressed heroin addicted looking girls with facial piercings using their I-phones to light up their car’s boom box and strobe interiors, with laser lights shooting out of the open top.
Glad to be a dyin’ breed.
Wasn’t this the model that offered an actual LP player? Talk about being in the forefront of technology.
Yup. Hiway Hi Fi. Not to mention the gasoline fired heater.
Not an LP player…only 45’s.
Ohio Rick,
Actually, the early [1956-59] Hi-Way Hi-Fi record players played special 16 2/3 RPM records, the same size as a 45 RPM, but with the small spindle hole in the center, like a 10″ 78 RPM, or 12″ LP. You had to buy the records from MoPaR. They were made by CBS Labs for Chrysler, and it’s said that they made 18,000 units. However it’s also said that many were trashed by the dealer networks because they were almost unsalable. They chose the VERY slow speed in an effort to keep the stylus in the groove when driving the car over bumpy roads.
When I lived in Europe in the mid 1970s I had a 1956 Imperial with every option available, as it had been the Paris Auto Show car. Back then it was almost impossible to find the special records. I was able to put together a selection of 3 records, all classical music.
I’m attaching a photo of the unit in a 1956 DeSoto.
Can’t remember the year of the Plymouth, but when it showed up at a local dance we “borrowed” a 45 rpm record from the DJ’s stack (“Love You So” by Ron Holden) and the driver put it in the player and we were impressed at the sound. Of course the car was standing still.
Dean, Chrysler’s ‘Highway Hi-Fi’ was available on any Chrysler product in those years. My Mom’s `57 New Yorker hardtop had one, but I don’t ever recall hearing it play.
Awesome rare car
Definitely worth restoring although expensive project
Big dollar car when done
I owned one of these 4 decades ago. These were Indy pace cars in this exact color combination. Wonderful car in all ways. I also had a 1956 Imperial Convertible at the same time but preferred the Desoto. It had every imaginable option. This will be a beauty. As I remember, this was the last year before the introduction of the Chrysler Corp Torsion bar suspension that raised the ride and handling to legendary levels.
Dave Wright,
If you had a 1956 Imperial convertible, you owned 33% of the production run, as they only built three, # 1 was built for the President of Chrysler!
That said, I know of at least 7 1956 imperial convertibles, the others started life as a 1956 New Yorker convertible.
Bill, not long ago a guy was selling a turquoise `56 Imperial cvt. in sad shape for $40K. It was indeed one of the 3 built, and it was specified for an exec. Are you aware of this car? The ad disappeared, which tells me someone snagged it, or he didn’t have any takers at that price. It’s my understanding the 3 built were:
1. Black, with black/white interior/top
2. turquoise with turquoise/white leather/white top
3. Salmon pink, with salmon/white interior/white top.
So far, I’ve seen photos of only the turquoise one. You know of the others? Have they survived?
If I sound like a broken record, let me know. Sorry to see this beauty in this condition, Hope the frame is from a convertible. Not for the faint of heart but done this is one for a museum. Driving would be a gas with the baby hemi. Wonder if this is one of the Hemi’s that would float the valves?? Think they fixed the problem early on. Worked for a guy with one with the baby hemi, bought it new, sister took it out and floated the valves, 300 miles on the car, Dems was the days….
Cheers
CPC
Come home to Daddy!
Ridiculous price for what is offered.
Forgettaboutit
Ridiculous price for what is on offer.
Forgetaboutit
1st car a 56 Desoto Hemi sedan. Great date car, and fun to drive. Powerflite was only 2 speeds but that hemi loved to rev in low. Dual exhaust. Cost me $20.00 and sold it after the power brakes went out for $25.00, That was 1964.
So sad to see it in this condition. Here’s a picture I took at Auburn Auction a year or two ago.
And one more from the rear.
Ohio Rick,
That Plymouth had the second series of Highway Hi-Fi, produced by RCA for Chrysler for only 2 model years, 1960-61, before lagging sales did them in. The other problem was by then Chrysler didn’t have an exclusive on this type, and the same identical player [with an Allstate logo instead of Chrysler] was sold thru Sears stores and catalog.
Shortly after these came out, Earl “Madman” Muntz introduced the 4-track endless tape cassette. 4 years later in 1964 Bill Lear improved upon the idea with what we know as the 8-track cassette, and the rest is history . . .
I believe I seen this Desoto Indy pace car at the Hershey, Penna. antique auto show back in the 1980,s. I believe I actually took / Have pictures somewhere of it. Back in around 1961 my mom bought a 1957 Gold and white Desoto Adventurer which had the 2 four barrel Hemi engine with the same looking gold hubcaps as on this pace car. I really loved that car. I found a toy company online that had a model of the same as my moms in a clear plastic showcase. To bad its the 1/16 scale model instead of the 1/25 scale I would prefer. If you cannot have the real thing you can at least have and enjoy a replica of it and a lot cheaper also. LOL.
Far, far too few of the `56 Pacesetters built, making this WELL worth the investment. It’s in better shape than expected, and a buyer can get PLENTY of help restoring it via Walter P. Chrysler club members. These are $130K restored, easily. If I could, believe me, I WOULD!! Anyone who can should give this car serious consideration.
Will Fox,
As to the 3 ’56 Imperial drop tops, I have only seen recent [I.E. in the last 40 years] photos of the turquoise car. I know of 2 black ones, in northern Virginia and in New Jersey, however both started out as Chrysler versions [I checked the body tag behind the front bumpers on both cars to confirm.] There was another one at the Hershey AACA event years ago, but the car was missing the body tag to confirm it as original.
It’s been 30 years since I saw it last, but the black one in Arlington, Virginia I believe was a New Yorker convertible that had been converted to an Imperial by the selling dealer [Al’s Chrysler-Plymouth], because a wealthy regular repeat buyer of new Chrysler Imperials wanted an Imperial convertible like the one he saw on the news. Back then it was sitting in the side driveway of a house, under a tarp, rotting, not for sale.
It will be an amazing car all restored. What bugs me is how the old owner of this rare car allowed it to deteriorate this badly to begin with. Anyway, hope this baby gets the love it deserves!