1953 De Soto Firedome - today's tempter

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 08.08.2024

1953 De Soto Firedome - today's tempter

1953 De Soto Firedome - today's tempter

Stylish fifties V8

De Soto is one of those names that you don’t trip over all that often – at least not in Australia.

However the Chrysler-owned brand built some spectacular vehicles. In a review of a 1959 Adventurer, we noted: "Back in 1928 Chrysler was – like its competitors – playing with brand extension, with new nameplates. It established DeSoto (named after a Spanish explorer who was an early European explorer of the continental USA) and Plymouth, and acquired Dodge.

"In the famous Chrysler hierachy, DeSoto and Dodge were both mid-priced brands, though that was to change in the early 1930s, when DeSoto was given a more elevated market position."

The Firedome predates the big fin era but still has lashings of chrome and a certain American flamboyance to the styling.

It runs the 276ci (4.5lt) Hemi V8 plus what is effectively a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Healey Factory in Melbourne has it on the market at $39,900.

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