History

The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's DeSoto Fireflite page on 21 July 2023, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

The DeSoto Fireflite is a full-size premium automobile which was produced by DeSoto in the United States from 1955 until 1960.

The Fireflite was introduced in 1955 as De Soto's top trim package of the DeSoto Firedome. It was wider and longer than the Firedome and it came equipped with a 325 cubic inch displacement (5.3L) V8 engine producing 200 hp when equipped with the 4 barrel carburetor (190 kW) and PowerFlite automatic transmission. The transmission was operated by a Flite-Control lever located on the dashboard. The car weighed 4,070 lb (1850 kg) and cost US$3,544 ($38,715 in 2022 dollars). AM radio was a $110 option ($1,202 in 2022 dollars).

The 1956 model car was best known for its long, tapering tail fins, often accentuated by a two-tone exterior finish. The interior offered bench seating that could accommodate six passengers. The Fireflite had a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of 11 seconds and a top speed of 110 mph (175 km/h).

The Fireflite’s bold design increased sales for DeSoto. In 1955, DeSotos sold well with over 114,765 examples produced, making 1955 the best year for the company since 1946. By 1956, DeSoto placed eleventh in U.S. production with an annual production of 110,418 cars. The success was short-lived, however, and Chrysler Corporation discontinued the Fireflite models at the end of the 1960 model year, and the DeSoto brand effective in November 1960.

In 1956 a gold and white Fireflite convertible was the Official Pace Car for the 1956 Indianapolis 500. While no official production figures for the pacesetter convertibles was ever released, research from National DeSoto Club members has narrowed it down to between 390-426 produced. Indianapolis 500 President Tony Hulman said the DeSoto was chosen unanimously by the track committee because it delivered outstanding performance and had superb handling characteristics.

Photographs

	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.6MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.5MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.5MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 4.3MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.9MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.8MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.9MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 4.0MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.8MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.2MB
	Subject:  1955 S-21 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe Photographer:  Bill Crittenden Event:   Green Street Cruise Night: September 10, 2012 Additional Info:  #2339 of 2,585 Fireflites assembled in Los Angeles; 292 Hemi Engine View photo of 1955 DeSoto Fireflite S-21 Sportsman Coupe - 3.6MB