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1959 DeSoto

Firedome Sedan

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Body Color
Light Blue
Stock
5178
Engine Size
383 V8
Transmission Type
3 Speed Automatic
Vin
M431112320
Miles
51,880
Drivetrain
RWD

1959 DeSoto Firedome Sedan

1959 DeSoto Firedome Sedan 

DeSoto, a long-dead Chrysler brand that built heavy, unwieldy family vehicles with inline sixes, was losing momentum to the big boys – Cadillac and Oldsmobile – who had begun using V8s in a quest for horsepower supremacy shortly after WWII.  When Chrysler opted to install a brand-new Hemi V8 with 160 horsepower under the hood of the new Firedome, the 1.7-ton monster sped from 0-60 in 15.5 seconds.  Slow today, but five seconds faster than anything else on the market at the time, and DeSoto became the standard.

For consignment a consignor described space age rocket ship which will blast you to the past in the form of a 1959 DeSoto Firedome.  Bumpers and fins do not get much larger and more exaggerated.  A wonderful wraparound front glass, curved roofline which is fully encased in chrome edge trimmings and the sweep spear to end all sweep spears, this car drips 50's styling inside and outside.  This would be the nearing the final year for Desoto, but it went out in style!

Exterior
We give you 221 inches of retro styled, Bahama Blue painted Detroit iron peppered with shiny large chrome, and plenty of it.  Starting with the massive front bumper with two tiers of chromed beauteous styling, a thin horizontal grille above and flanking dual dual headlights with an eyebrow visor which goes on to create the front quarter panel top and sides.  A lazy V shaped long hood with a D E S O T O badge in its front end runs rearward to the front wraparound glass.  Some shiny gun sights are atop the front quarters as well as a side view mirror in front of the glass.  Also on the sides, beginning at a point, the chromed and white insert painted trim spear begins and tears off widening as it streaks rearward to the mid rear quarter crescendo where it makes a check mark that ends on top of the rear fins in chrome bling.  The wonderfully curved roofline is housing plenty of chrome trimmed glass and a semi wrapped around rear glass, again with more chrome edging.  The NYC two bedroom size trunk is nestled between those fins which have a trio of Dixie cup styled tail lights lining up with its vertical rise on back.  Another large and in-charge rear bumper, looking like it could be the front grille, resides on the back and has dual exhaust tips peeking out of the rear bottom.  A departure from this mid century masterpiece of wretched excess, we see American Racing Outlaw wheels wrapped in 235/70R15 rubber.  A set of wide white Coker classics with Desoto hubcaps is also available and comes with the car so you can go low and slow or add a bit of hot rod spice.  

Interior
Just lovely mid century modern styling with use of multiple colors and snazzy fabrics that could have covered the Jetsons couch and looked great!  The door panels are light blue, dark blue and mid tone blue with a lazy boomerang insert with the best fabric featuring a square stitched design with metal thread, ( to die for!).  Inside I park myself on the front bench where my behind is greeted with black and white zig zag tweed inserts and some styled dark blue vinyl with buttons and piping, and on top, some light blue vinyl to make up this wide chair.  I see a slight crack and some mild soiling on these seats.  The rear door panels and bench take in the same over the top styling and offer up plenty of romper room.  Noted is the gold “Firedome” badging on the middle upper of the back bench in grandmother's handwriting.  These chairs float in a sea of dark blue carpeting.  To the dash, which could be the interior of the Buck Rogers spaceship, with its curved speedo encasing with large round bezel inserts just below.  Push button transmission shifting, power steering and a large dealer installed option of AC unit below the dash all add up to finery and upper class motoring right out of 1959.  

Drivetrain
Under the insulated hood is a Desoto 383ci V8 with 305hp.  It is topped with a single 2-barrel carburetor and has a 3-speed smooth Torqueflite automatic tranny on back with a 3.31 Dana rear axle.  Dual exhaust with Turbo mufflers are on for the exhale.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust is peppering the edge of the rockers where the body meets the framing.  Some light, some heavy, but it's there.  Otherwise structurally sound with a like new fuel tank, power Bendix disc braking in front and power drums for the back.  Cushy independent torsion bar front suspension, and rear leaf springs provide the ride for this massive look into the future from 1959.

Drive-Ability
From this extensive expressive description I guess you can tell what is my fav era of automotive design?  Well I could not pass this test drive up and did so with a big smile on my face.  The car ran great, was an easy driver and solid stopper with lumbering but stable handling, and at 1.5 tons it has some pep.  The AC blows warm but all else is in perfect working condition.  

Not a perfect car by any means, it has its share of wear and tear, but certainly a fine piece of futuristic excessive styling from the late 50's.  It can be worked and cleaned to make it a trailer queen or left to its devices and it will turn heads either way.  Excuse me while I pull into my carport under my butterfly roof house….

M431112320

M431-1959 Desoto Firedome 
112320-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.  This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.