1955 DeSoto Firedome Sportsman Hardtop Coupe, Hemi Firedome V-8, Carnival Red

1955 DeSoto Firedome Sportsman Hardtop Coupe

“Looking forward” to a new, classic car? “Drive a DeSoto before you decide!” MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to present one of the rarest of the DeSotos, the 1955 Firedome Sportsman Coupe. Debuting the new “Forward Look,” with its long, tapered fins and a 185-horsepower Hemi Firedome V-8, it’s no wonder the DeSoto was picked as The Official Pace Car for the 1956 Indianapolis 500!

Owned by the same owner for eight years, who purchased the car from the original California owner, this nicely presented Desoto no-post hardtop couple comes equipped with the aforementioned 291 CID V-8 engine, a two-barrel carburetor on a high-rise intake and is mated to a two-speed Flitecontrol automatic transmission. The car has dual exhausts and features power steering and power drum brakes. This is an original California DeSoto only showing 14,183 miles on the clock and the previous owner states the mileage is original, however, there is no documentation to support that. The wheels are 15-inch original DeSoto steelies, covered by full “DeS” crested hub caps with newer Coker Classic H78-15 whitewall tires.

Finished in bright Carnival Red, this coupe shows extremely well with only minor imperfections visible upon close inspection. The contrasting Surf White roof is a tastefully executed contrast to the rest of the exterior. All of the original Sportsman trim is present, complete and displays normal wear with only very slight signs of marring. The front grille has a brilliant finish. The front and rear chrome bumpers fit extremely tight and show well with only minor issues. The engine bay is tidy; even the words on the valve covers sport new paint. The original 15-inch wheels present well with only slight signs of marring. Car comes with dual exhausts.

Inside, through the New Horizon wraparound windshield, (a DeSoto first that year), the rich black and ivory vinyl front and rear seats show well, with little or no noticeable wear. The matching door panels, carpet and dual-cockpit dashboard (another DeS first) are a contrasting complement to the striking red exterior of the car and look great with minor wear. The fuel gauge is inoperable but all of the other gauges function as designed and all have the correct appearance. There is a factory clock and working original equipment AM radio, too. The horn is inoperable but the originally equipped DeSoto steering wheel is in good, original condition.

Lead stylist Virgil Exner employed The Forward Look on all 1955 through 1961 Chrysler vehicles. What evolved was a line of cars lower, longer and wider—and modern in every sense of the word.

The Firedome was a full-sized Chrysler automobile produced from 1952 to 1959. In 1955, Chrysler dropped its six-cylinder DeSoto Powermaster series and added the topline Fireflite series, pushing the Firedome down to entry level status. Still, the Firedome was not a cheap offering, riding on a 126-inch wheelbase, retaining its V-8 engine and increasing its 276 CID to 291 CID with a larger bore and it came with a host of features and interior upgrades that the Powermaster series lacked. While Powerflite two-speed automatics were advertised as standard transmissions on the Firedome, officially the car was offered with a three-speed manual, though few were produced. With 129,767 copies sold, DeSoto placed 12th in sales for 1955.

Comparable examples of competitors include the Buick 60 (Century) Riviera two-door hardtop, Mercury Monterey coupe and the Oldsmobile Holiday 88 hardtop coupe.

This DeSoto conjures up visions of the more relaxed, simpler times of the ’50s, weekend get-aways or a family trips to the drive-in…GET OUT AND DRIVE!

Current mileage on the odometer shows 14,183 miles, it is sold as is where is on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title.

VIN: 55186949

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