1956 DeSoto Firedome Four Door Sedan Green DaytonaSpdwy032815

DeSoto was riding high on Virgil Exner's styling of the '55 and '56 models...in fact a '56 convertible was the pacecar for the Indy 500 race! It was the first year for the pushbutton controls of the automatic transmission. No one would have thought that the 1961 model year would be their last.
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[@T-41]

Thanks, Jack for posting this. It’s a beauty! The 1956 DeSoto styling was as attractive as you could get in the 50’s, a decade with lots of pretty American cars.

[@coolrides]

Hey, Mike! I was always impressed with the "Forward Look"! And Groucho Marx liked them too, so who would argue with him? DeSoto and Groucho were my favorites! Thanks! :) Jack

[@williamschlenger1518]

Smooth running quiet car.Wish I still had it.

[@coolrides]

Hey, William! I still remember DeSoto sponsoring Groucho Marx on the tv show "You Bet Your Life"! It was great exposure for the brand...and NO one had a faster wit than Groucho! Thanks! :) Jack

[@davidtosh7200]

For 1956, all Chrysler cars did offered 4 door conventional (pillared) sedan by a 2 to 1 margin, and outselling other body styles, such as station wagon, convertible, 2 door hardtop, and a new 4 door hardtop. V-8 engine is standard in Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Imperial (for 1955, Imperial is a separate make instead of Top of the line Chrysler), optional On Plymouth.

[@coolrides]

Hey, David! Thanks for the details! Overall, I don't think the four door hardtop was nearly as popular at Chrysler Corporation as it was at GM. A guy I knew had a '56 Plymouth with the six...and they continued with the flathead six until '60 when the slant six was introduced. Thanks! :) Jack

[@dsteele27]

From the day they came out, i've thought them to be one of the best looking cars ever built.

[@coolrides]

I'll agree to that! The two tone paint schemes were right on! Thanks! :) Jack

[@not2fast4u2c]

The tail lights really give it a Space Ship / Rocket look

[@coolrides]

+not2fast4u2c Hey, Jim! Definitely a space vehicle influence here...it was certainly in the national conscious at the time! Thanks! :) Jack

[@paganbaby8158]

not2fast4u2c Especially matched with the pushbutton automatic transmission!

[@williamschlenger1518]

OMG That's my car.Same color.😊👍🏻

[@coolrides]

Hey, William! Congratulations on having a '56 DeSoto! They indeed are getting rare! Thanks! :) Jack

[@larryhawkins3294]

Jack I'm thinking that the Olds Super 88 may have been this car's direct competition along with the Buick Century for '56.

[@coolrides]

Hey, Larry! I'd agree! Thanks! :) Jack

[@46619TAB]

Gorgeous old car! The front end is so different and what better way to use the obligatory fin than by filling it with lights. Nice color combination both inside and out. Thanks Jack!!

[@coolrides]

+46619TAB Hey, Terry! That Firedome V8 was such a draw, DeSoto had to have something special to house it...and I think this car fills the bill perfectly! Having Groucho Marx as a client didn't hurt, either! Thanks! :) Jack

[@cheddyrod]

A perfect example of a classy entry level Desoto. Paint, shiny bits and that fashionable upholstery all look perfect. In 56 you had to be a Rockefeller to afford AC, so those vent windows in the front and rear doors were a big help. Now about that dash with those gorgeous gauges look like they were designed by a jeweler. :)

[@coolrides]

+cheddyrod Hey, Chester! That's a very apt description of the placement of gauges in that dash...almost as though they were in a jewelry setting! Truly unique...and very nice! thanks! :) Jack

[@williamschlenger1518]

That's exactly the car I once h.Same color.

[@coolrides]

Hey, William! That really is a cool car....it must have been a treat to drive it! Thanks! :) Jack

[@califdad4]

nice looking car, I remember these. A Doctors wife used to go to my neighbors across the street in a grayish blue 56 DeSoto Station wagon. It was a nice looking car even in 1960-61

[@coolrides]

+califdad4 Hey, Brian! Yes indeed...the style was so nice it generalized to the stationwagons too. Thanks! :) Jack

[@20alphabet]

Always a DeSoto fan. Pretty car!

[@coolrides]

+20alphabet Sure is nice...one step away from Chrysler! Thanks! :) Jack

[@miguelmtz2196]

muy bonito. estos autos atraen todas las miradas en lo particular a mi me gusta mucho

[@coolrides]

Ciertamente no llaman la atención ... Me alegro de que te gusta! ¡Gracias! :) Jack+CAPI MINECRAFT PE

[@williamschlenger1518]

I would love to have another one.Im tired of computers & power windows,etc.Just give me a car that runs& looks great.

[@coolrides]

Hey, William! I think we'd all like to take a break from electronics and just simply drive a car like this and enjoy the open road. Thanks! :) Jack

[@TigerRogers0660]

What i really love about the '56 DeSotos Jack was the beautiful dash layout! So simplistic yet SO attractive! I feel although the '57 was an advance in styling bodywise, they kinda lost something with that dash. (Just my opinion). Cheers Tiger.

[@zzzdogutube]

love it thanks

[@coolrides]

+zzzdogutube Hey, Ron! Glad you like! Thanks! :) Jack

[@timjones2750]

Although DeSotos were usually under rated, especially at trade in time, they were real bargains when compaired to other comparable Chrysler models. This is a well kept example.

[@coolrides]

+tim jones Hey, Tim! It really was a shame! They had the deluxe features of the Chrysler...but somehow, didn't retain as much value. Thanks! :) Jack

[@danjohnson4234]

Hi Jack, Talk about a classic car? I will admit it oozes class. The push button controls must have caused a sensation at the time. Great video! Thanks Jack!

[@coolrides]

+Dan Johnson Hey, Dan! Now THIS was a car! Bold color, impressive size, huge fins..who wouldn't want to be seen in one! Pushbuttons were definitely a selling point before the Edsel electronic type that caused problems. Mopar's mechanical buttons were trouble free. Thanks! :) Jack

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Hey Jack. Beautiful looking car. I've seen pictures of Desoto cars, but I've never seen one in person. :)

[@coolrides]

+Jason Carpp Hey, Jason! Sure is beautiful! The Adventurer hardtop is the best example of the top of the line...some had three tone color combinations! Thanks! :) Jack

[@jasoncarpp7742]

+Jack R Sweet! I've always liked cars with two-tone colour combination. :)