DeSoto Firedome

Production	1952 to 1959
Class	Motor Car
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door convertible

The DeSoto Firedome was a large car that Chrysler offered under the car brand DeSoto in the model years 1952-1959. In the first two years of production, the Firedome represented the top model of the brand, in 1955 and 1956 he was the cheapest model to occupy the middle position in the last three years.

For 1952, De Soto introduced the hemi-head FireDome, a 276.1 cubic-inch V8 based on the larger Chrysler version. It developed 160 hp at 4400 rpm and now put DeSoto in the horsepower race.At first the FireDome Eight series accounted for  45,000 sales.  the eight-cylinder FireDomes by the end of '53, FireDomes were now outselling PowerMasters De Sotos came with the three-speed manual transmission standard. Fluid Drive was the major gearbox option at a price of $130,with overdrive at another $96. 

1952-1954: Top Model 

The Firedome model year 1953 was introduced just before the 25th anniversary of the brand and replaced as a top model the Custom , which had been discontinued in late 1952. The entire model range of DeSoto has been revised; The price list for the Firedome started at $ 2,740. In the model year 1953 64.211 copies were made.

The Firedome had 6 seats. It was available as a 4-door sedan , 5-door station wagon , 2-door coupe and 2-door convertible .Fitted with positive shift starter actuated through ignition key on instrument panel; constant voltage control dynamo; "Powerflite" fully automatic transmission, combining high performance torque convertor 
and 2-speed gearbox.

The cars had a V8 Chrysler Hemi engine with 160 bhp (118 kW) and reached a top speed of 160 km / h. They weighed about 1,700 kg and accelerated from 0 to 100 km / h in 15.5 seconds. For the first time since 1931 DeSoto offered a car with 8-cylinder engine. fully balanced 5-bearing crankshaft; force-feed lubrication system employing rotor-type pump; cooling by centrifugal water pump, metered water circulation, thermostat control; dual down-draught carburettor with adjustable accelerating pump; automatic manifold heat control; automatic integral choke control; oil bath air cleaner and silencer. 

chassis: box section frame; semi-floating hypoid rear axle; independent front wheel suspension with coil springs; heavy duty soft acting, semi-elliptic rear springs with rubber-cored bushings at front and rubber-cushioned shackles at rear; heavy duty hydraulic telescopic-type shock absorbers front and rear; front end-sway eliminator. For stopping 4-wheel hydraulic vacuum assisted braking system, dual cylinder front wheel brakes; cycle-bonded brake linings.

Fitted with steel disc-wheels with safety rims and stainless steel covers, 7.60 x 15 in. tyres

Bodywork and accessories: 
Airfoam seat cushions; armrests on front doors, centre folding armrest to tear seat; spacious luggage compartment with counter-balanced lid; green tinted-glass all round; rubber insulated body mountings; radio; electric clock; cigar lighter; dual electric horns; dual electric windscreen wipers; dual windscreen washers; dual sun visors; sealed-beam-headlights with foot control; dual tail lights; dual automatic reversing lights; directional signal indicators; glove box door light; fuel tank locking cap. 

1955-1956: Entry-level model

In 1955 DeSoto gave the Powermaster with 6-cylinder engine and instead made the top-of-the-line model Fireflite , so that the Firedome mutated to the entry-level model. Still, the Firedome was not a cheap car because it had a V8 engine, plenty of equipment inside and out; Things that did not exist with the Powermaster. Although an automatic transmission was standard equipment of the Firedome, it was officially also offered with manual three-speed gearbox, but only a few copies were delivered.

1957-1959: middle model 

The series rose again in the model range, as DeSoto 1957 the Dodge -based, smaller Firesweep offered.

In 1958, the engine output of the optionally available 5,920 cc V8 increased to over 300 bhp (221 kW). This accelerated the car in just under 8 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h and let him reach 184 km / h top speed. Nevertheless, the sales fell in 1958 to only 60% of the previous year's figures, partly for economic reasons, partly because of amalgamation with the 1957 models (unsold remnants of which 1958 still sold!).

To further arouse customer interest, DeSoto offered the Firedome 1959 model in 26 body paints and 190 different two-color paints. But at the end of this model year, DeSoto still had to fight for any car sales. Although there were so many different models, shoppers were reluctant to buy a DeSoto as rumors circulated that Chrysler wanted to end the brand.

With the end of the model year 1959 the manufacture of the Firedome ended in October of the same year.