The Fireflite's dramatic 1957 restyle had a famous hand behind it: Chrysler's own head of styling, Virgil Exner, personally worked on the look.
Lead trim: Fireflite 341 cu in Hemi V8 (270 hp with 2-barrel, 1957) · up to 295 hp
DeSoto Fireflite1957–1960
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a DeSoto Fireflite yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe Fireflite's dramatic 1957 restyle had a famous hand behind it: Chrysler's own head of styling, Virgil Exner, personally worked on the look.
The Fireflite's appearance for 1957 was redesigned with the help of Chrysler's head stylist Virgil Exner: bold and radical with large tail fins, dual oval exhaust, triple-lens taillights and an optional four-headlight system; the 330 hemi was replaced by a 341 cid (5.6 L) hemi rated at 270 hp with a two-barrel and 295 hp with a four-barrel carburetor, both at 9.25:1 compression. In 1957 the Fireflite was superseded by the Adventurer as the premium DeSoto but kept high-grade appointments across a full line of body styles, with a station wagon added and back-up lights standard; a new engine was added in 1958, the car was restyled for 1959 with a standard electric clock, and Chrysler discontinued the Fireflite at the end of the 1960 model year along with the DeSoto brand in November 1960. Wheelbase 126 in, length 218 in (1957), width 78.2 in (1957).
Collectors Spotted in the DeSoto Fireflite Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the DeSoto Fireflite yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
2 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fireflite 341 cu in Hemi V8 (270 hp with 2-barrel, 1957) | 1957–1957 | 5.6 L V8 | 270 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Fireflite 341 cu in Hemi V8 (295 hp with 4-barrel, 1957) | 1957–1957 | 5.6 L V8 | 295 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
The Fireflite's dramatic 1957 restyle had a famous hand behind it: Chrysler's own head of styling, Virgil Exner, personally worked on the look.
A gold-and-white Fireflite paced the 1956 Indy 500 — track president Tony Hulman said the committee picked it unanimously for its handling, not its looks.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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