1955 Desoto Cars Described

1955 DESOTO CARS DESCRIBED

1955 DESOTO - GENERAL: Styling changes for the 1955 DeSoto were dramatic with the all-new "Forward Look". The six- cylinder engine was dropped. The specific to DeSoto Firedome Hemi V-8 - now at 291 CID with a 2-barrel carburetor was now the lowest level engine. The cars using these engines would be the entry models and would use the Firedome name. A new high-end series was named "Fireflite" would debut and use the new V-8 with a 4-barrel carburetor for 200 HP. Gone were the slow-selling long wheelbase cars but the new chassis was stretched to 126.0 inches - the same for all series and models. Also among the missing was the 2-door sedan/coupe - never to return. The new exterior sheet metal was highlighted by lower, longer, wider body contours and a wraparound windshield was featured for the first time. The redesigned DeSoto grille (now seven-tooth) featured integrated bumper guards and floating parking lamps. Hood ornaments, the hood scoop, and tail lamp clusters had fresh treatments. The fuel filler was now located behind a door on the right rear quarter panel. Styling on the interior was inspired by " what DeSoto called aircraft "cockpits", with the radio and clock option centered in dash. The glove box, a series nameplate and the radio speaker graced the right-hand side of the dashboard. All gauges and the dash mounted the Powerflite automatic transmission shift lever were to the left of center. Dual exhausts were available on all models but the station wagon at extra cost.

INNOVATIONS: In 1955, along with all Chrysler Corporation models, DeSotos were redesigned with Virgil Exner's "Forward Look".

1955 FIREDOME SERIES S22 (8-Cylinder Hemi): The Firedome was now DeSoto's low price line. Cars were identified by "Firedome", in script, on front fenders. Body side decorations took the form of constant-width chrome moldings running front to rear, with a slight kickup above the rear wheel housing. The Sportsman models had nameplates and round medallions mounted to the rear roof pillar to differentiate them from the other models in the series. Shortly after production began, the upscale Fireflite "color sweep" paint treatments became a Firedome option (see car images), as did external sun visors. Standard equipment included: five tubeless tires, waterproof ignition, adjustable speed electric windshield wipers, "Oriflow" shock absorbers, and Safety Rim wheels.

1955 FIREFLITE SERIES S21 (8-Cylinder Hemi): DeSoto's top line also offered the same new aircraft inspired "Forward Look" styling as the Firedome. A new 291 CID 200 horsepower four-barrel Hemi V-8 was standard and optional on the Firedome. Identification included "Fireflite" on the front fenders in script, and chrome fender top ornaments running back from headlamps and rocker panel beauty trim. Four-door models had a single, flared, chrome side molding with slight kickup above rear wheel housing. There were V-8 emblems on the rear quarter panel, set lower and forward inside the color sweep. Cars without color sweep styling treatments had the V-8 emblem slightly forward of the gas filler and even with the taillamp centerline. A sun cap visor treatment was available. Special side "color sweep" beauty panels were standard on Fireflite convertibles and hardtops; optional on other DeSoto models. Genuine leather trimmed upholstery was provided in the Fireflite Sportsman. Others had silk-like nylon upholstery and nylon carpeting. Added in the Spring of 1955 was the Fireflite "Coronado". It was a 4-door sedan that featured an upgraded interior and three-tone exterior paint treatment, with unique Coronado Green paint in combination with Surf White sweeps and a Black top.

MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA:  Firedome serial numbers. Cars built in Detroit had serial numbers that ran from 55185001 to 55256392. Cars built in Los Angeles had serial numbers that ran from 64022001 to 64026847. Taxis had serial numbers that began at 5130001. Motor numbers ran from S22-1001 to S22-76620.  Fireflite serial numbers. Cars built in Detroit had serial numbers that ran from 50330001 to 50364093. Cars built in Los Angeles had serial numbers that ran from 62045001 to 62047586. Motor numbers ran from S21-1001 to S21-35660. Serial number codes were on the left front door hinge pillar post. Firedome and Fireflite V-8 engine numbers were positioned at the top of the engine block under the water outlet elbow. No code numbers were provided for positive identification of body style type.

BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS:

 301 Black  305 Avon Blue  306 Dolphin Blue  307 Marlin Blue  315 Cove Green  316 Lexington Green  317 Sherwood Green  330 Birch Gray  331 Thunder Gray  340 Jamaica Bronze  350 Emberglow  351 Carnival Red  355 Surf White  ** Coronado Green - only in combo with 355 Surf White

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DESOTO ENGINES:

 Firedome Series V-8: Overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chamber. Displacement: 291 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.72" x 3.344". Compression Ratio: 7.5:1. Horsepower: 185 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 245 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Standard transmission: Carter BBD two-barrel model 20675, Overdrive transmission: Carter BBD model 2177S-SA, Powerflite transmission: Carter BBD model 2178S-SA.

 Fireflite Series and Firedome Power Pack V-8: Overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chamber. Displacement: 291 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.72" x 3.344". Compression Ratio: 7.5:1. Horsepower: 200 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 274 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter WCFB four- barrel carburetor model 2210S.

CHASSIS:  Wheelbase: 126.0".  Overall length: Station Wagon - 218.6", Others - 217.9".  Front tread: 60.20".  Rear tread: 59.60"  Tires: 7.60 x 15 tubeless blackwalls.

POWERTRAIN OPTIONS:  Three-speed manual column mounted transmission was standard – all models.  Four-barrel power package for Firedome series ($40).  Overdrive manual transmission was optional at ($108).  Powerflite automatic transmission with "Flight Control" selector lever on the dashboard ($189).

SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS:

 Air conditioning ($567).  Directional signals.  Heater ($92).  Power brakes ($40).  Power front seat. ($70).  Power steering ($113).  Radios ($110 and $128).  Power windows ($102).  White sidewall tires.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Dual exhausts were available on all models, but station wagons, at extra cost. Three famous Ghia-built experimental show cars with DeSoto running gear appeared this year. They were the Falcon roadster; Flight Sweep I convertible and Flight Sweep II coupe.

PRODUCTION: Model year production peaked at 115,485 units, almost double 1954. Styling and horsepower sold cars in 1955! See attached chart for production numbers.

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CAR IMAGES

The 1955 Desoto Fireflite Sportsman was the top-of-the-line hardtop coupe. Aside from its 200 HP, it featured special side molding and a super upscale interior with leather trim. 10,313 were delivered.

The 1955 Fireflite convertible was the top-down version of the Sportsman, and trimmed in the same quality fashion. The hardtop Sportsman’s popularity likely contributed to its low sales of 775 units.

The 1955 DeSoto Fireflite 4-door sedan threw away the stodgy look of the earlier cars. The Coronado sedan offered in mid-year had an interior that rivaled the Sportsman. Combined with the Coronado, the result was 26,637 sold.

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CAR IMAGES Continued

The Firedome Convertible was snappy looking and was less luxuriously trimmed than its Fireflite counterpart. Later, it would receive the Fireflite trim as an option It had only a 188HP Hemi–but the Fireflite 4-barrel could be ordered. Only 625 were sold.

The 1955 Firedome Sportsman hardtop featured the same upscale interior trim as the convertible. Firedome Sportsman hardtops were popular with 28,994 produced.

The 1955 DeSoto Special Hardtop was introduced with a less sumptuous interior to move the sporty hardtop down in price range. While not separate totals are available since it was the same body as the Sportsman, it was likely responsible for the strong Firedome hardtop sales.

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CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1955 Firedome 4-door sedan was the bread and butter DeSoto and sold the most as well, It accounted for 40% of production and 46,388 were delivered.

The 1955 Firedome Station Wagon was the only wagon available in this year. Though quite handsome for a wagon, it was the highest priced DeSoto for this year (excepting the Coronado introduced later). This likely prevented stronger sales. 1,803 were sold.

Styling Next Page –

STYLING CHANGES FOR 1955

1955 DeSoto had significant styling cues aside from the “forward look”. At the front, the scoop that had been on the top of the hood was now at the front, replaced by a separate hood ornament. The parking lights now “floated” in the grille that had unique cutouts for the bumper guards that were actually part of the famous “teeth”. The true teeth were cut down to seven and sat between the guards.

At the rear, the fenders only sloped down slightly and ended in new, larger tail lights, with “frenched” peaks at the top. The gas filler was now behind a door on the right fender. The rear bumper was molded to follow the bidy contours and kcked up to join the tail lights, much like Cadillacs of the period.

The 1955 Fireflite models had some trim unique their line that would become options in mid-year in the Firedome line. The chrome strip at the top of the windshield was extended to act as a sun visor (optional later). There were extensions on the top of the headlight bezel ostensibly to stretch the car visually (see inset). The Fireflite Sportsman had a unique emblem in the C pillar. The side molding and offsetting paint was initially unique to the Sportsman and convertible, but later added to the 4-door and optional on Firedome models (except for the wagon). The “V8” emblem sat in the position shown when this trim was in place.

The sportsman C pillar emblems used in both the Fireflite and Firedome.

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STYLING CHANGES Continued

These pictures illustrate the richness of the Fireflite Sportsman’s interior – a strong break from the earlier DeSotos of the 40s and 50s. Sportsman interiors even included leather trim.

At the beginning of the model year, Firedome models were trimmed quite plain in contrast to the senior line. Only a single chrome strip, kicked up at the rear fender adorned the sides and the V8 emblem was all the way at the rear of this strip, almost unnoticeable. Significantly, the headlight bezels were only slightly pointed at the top and unadorned. This plain look may have resulted in the meager Firedome convertible sales, given it was only $100 less in price than the Fireflite.

The DeSoto dashboard and shifter deserve notice. The instruments were nicely grouped with all informational gauges easy to read and flanking the large speedometer. The shifter for the Powerflite transmission was in a unique position - on the dash - perhaps the only application in modern times.