134995 / 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman

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Wrapping a hot 341 cubic inch Hemi V8 and stalwart pushbutton Torqueflite in a tailored interior and sweeping sheetmetal, this DeSoto HAS to be some of the coolest metal on the planet! And with only 7,216 companion cars, it's likely some of the rarest Detroit iron ever produced. If you're a discerning collector who's itching for a classic, big-fin MoPar that'll be the star of every cruise night in town, this '57 Fireflite Sportsman is your ticket!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Based on legendary designer Virgil Exner's 'Forward Look' body, DeSoto's well-known Fireflite series is some of the finest metal to ever leave an American design studio. The spectacular Fiesta Red and Frost White example you see here was assembled at Chrysler's Detroit, Michigan manufacturing facility and exceptionally maintained by one fastidious owner for close to 57 years. Its 100% original sheetmetal reflects a smooth, 2-stage finish that was applied in the summer of 2014. Yards of original brightwork and stainless feature no modern supplements, with the exception of fresh chrome on the car's taillight housings and rear bumper. And, despite what some might call exaggerated proportions and excessive ornamentation, this graceful coupe is every bit as striking as it is handsome!
ENGINE
All that classy metal moves thanks to a Hemispherical Fire Dome V8, which is branded with a correct S26-27094 assembly stamp. Clocking in at 341 cubic inches, the square-bore mill turns hearty 9.25 to 1 compression into 295 horsepower and 390 lb./ft. of stout torque. And naturally, given the car's ownership history, the engine appears to wear a roster of correct and original pieces, from its glossy air cleaner and rebuilt Carter carburetor all the way to its beefy radiator and tagged red cap battery. Fire is provided by a traditional points distributor, which sequences sparks between an old school generator and 7mm Copper Conductor Cables. Combustion comes courtesy of a correct camshaft, which breathes through a correct intake and original exhaust manifolds. Aesthetically, the engine's fresh Aluminum paint contrasts well against the car's Fiesta Red firewall and Gloss Black fenders. And little details like gold valve covers, vivid ˆ**DESOTO FIREFLITE EIGHTˆ** call-outs, stainless fluid lines and a Sparton horn round out this coupe's natural eyeball appeal.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Behind that Fire Dome V8, an original A727 Torqueflite 3-speed sends power to a correct rear end. That tough driveline spins in a factory-spec undercarriage that's complete with Chrysler's robust torsion bars and stiff outrider springs. At the corners of that chassis, heavy duty drum brakes ensure solid, fade-free stops. At the center of the car's rust-free floors, a traditional true-dual exhaust system employs deep, glasspack-style mufflers. And all this road-worthy hardware rides on painted and capped wheels, which spin pliable 8.50-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls.
INTERIOR
Take a look inside this coupe and you'll find a mostly-original Gray and White interior that sports enough room to haul the whole family in comfort! Wide bench seats prop piped and stitched vinyl under fresh centerpieces. In front of those seats, a Frost White dash hangs a crack-free pad over a correct AM radio and stylish, pushbutton transmission controls. In front of the driver, a 2-tone steering wheel spins a chrome horn ring around an intricate DeSoto logo. And behind the passengers, a virtually untouched trunk props an original jack and spare tire on an original mat.
With its burly V8, tailored interior and dramatic styling, this classy DeSoto represents the pinnacle of American design and manufacturing dominance. If you're looking for a top-notch classic that'll draw a crowd wherever it goes, call, click or visit RKMotorsCharlotte.com today!

[@larryfriend2584]

Back in th 60's My Dad Had a 1958 in two tone Green. I remember that Car well it was huge. It was one of only two 2 door Cars other than the 2 Volkswagen Beetles he had from 1964 to 1967 The Other was a 1955 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible in Red and Black with a White top. I loved all of the Desoto 's he owned The 58 was one of my Favorites it was a Fire-flite Sportsman with Power Windows and a Bad Fuel Gauge Sensor, My Mother would put a Dollar's worth of gas in it anytime she went anywhere so she wouldn't run out ( Gas was like 27 cents a gallon for Premium) One Saturday Dad went to Fill it up for a Road trip and it only took like 80 cents to fill it because Mom had made so many short trips that it was nearly full. Dad Liked to take it out on Long Deserted Highways and Blow the Cobs out. He got a ticket doing that one time for 96 in a 65, the Highway Patrol said he was doing over 120 but he'd give dad a Break since he was a Family Man. The thing had an Oil Leak and Dad had the Engine Steamed Cleaned so he could find out where but I guess water got in the Engine and Him and My Uncle Pulled it out a few days Later and Tore it Down and they did an Overhaul and while it was out I asked my Uncle why it was called a Hemi and my Uncle showed me the Cylinder heads and pointed out the Hemispherical combustion Chambers. I found out Years Later that only a Hand-full of 1958 Desoto's got the Hemi. Well I knew that Both of the 1955's had Hemi's also. Well I just wanted to Share those Memories of those wonderful Late 50's Desoto's.

[@alanstrong3295]

De Soto was a legendary car.

[@shoominati23]

My 'one day' car. If that day ever comes, It will be my daily driver and I will cherish and cruise the thing at every chance I get. I like the 60/61s too

[@StillHip4AnOldGuy]

Such a beautiful, deep rich red

[@simoncutler5542]

Beautiful car

[@ohiorivercats]

When I was a little kid my Uncle had one exactly like this, he was taking me on a joy ride and he kicked it and the throttle stuck wide open. It scared the heck out of him but I was thrilled out of my 4 year old mind ;)

[@rockguitarist931]

It's funny how 1957 Chevy's have become so iconic. In 1957, the new low and wide MoPars were hot items and everything else was considered dated and stodgy. It wasn't until 1959 that GM actually regained their dominance in the design department. The 2nd generation of Forward Look cars was actually rushed into production; the first generation was supposed to last three years (55-57) and the low-slung body styles were set to be released in 1958. Releasing the radical new styling a year ahead of schedule gave GM the chance to re-style their 1959 models. GM also had the money to make drastic changes at the last moment. Chrysler Corp. had everything ready for 1958 other than the re-tooling necessary to change all five divisions over to completely different car bodies and interiors. Subsequently, the 2nd gen Forward Look cars quickly gained a reputation as being poorly built and the "sneak attack" on the auto market did not have the lasting impact Chrysler Corp. was hoping for. Granted, there was a bad recession in 1958 so if they had waited the full three years to release their "low and lean" styling, sales would have still been poor due to the economy. But that would have been better than low sales due to a bad reputation.

[@ericfischer8295]

Am I the only one who came here from reading “Ernie” comics as a kid?

[@doctoremil2678]

In my opinion 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is very overrated. 1957 DeSoto Fireflite was and still is far more special. Just look at this beast! Doesn't it look better?!

[@cooldog60]

Agree!

[@simoncutler5542]

I agree

[@randysherman8878]

Agreed !

[@hudson5112]

This DeSoto is arguably the most beautiful car ever built

[@60sbaby456]

Anyone out there have a real reason why cars became so bland the past 25 years or so?

[@davidallen5776]

The following year, companies went en masse to the four-headlight thing. At that same time, the economy took a dump!

[@williammount6496]

COMPARED TO THIS DE SOTO THE AUDI'S ADVERTISED NEW COMPUTERIZED CAR HAS NO CLASS

[@peterheidgerd5418]

Very ANNOYING foreground music!!!!!!