DeSoto is a marque we don’t hear much about nowadays. But that makes sense, given that Chrysler retired the brand in 1961. That’s a whopping 63 years ago as of 2024. Still, the marque is worth remembering because it rolled out quite a few cool vehicles. The Firedome is one of them.
Named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, the division was founded by Walter P. Chrysler in 1928. Initially set to compete with Pontiac, Studebaker, and Hudson, DeSoto slotted between Plymouth and Dodge in the Chrysler Corporation hierarchy. In 1933, however, Chrysler ranked DeSoto above Dodge and gave the brand access to more exclusive models, like the Airflow.
DeSoto retained its position within the group until it was phased out in 1961 and most of its products were Chryslers with less expensive features. The marque benefited from the “Forward Look” design language introduced in 1955, which resulted in record sales. The Firesweep, Firedome, and Fireflite were the most popular nameplates. At the same time, the Adventurer gave the brand a high-performance hardtop similar to the Chrysler 300 letter series.
Come 2024, 1950s DeSotos are rare on public roads and at classic car events. Not as desirable as the Chryslers and Dodges of the era, most DeSotos are spending their retirement years in junkyards and barns. Some have morphed into rust buckets, while others could still be revived if someone gives them a second chance. This 1954 Firedome is one of those rigs that could be saved.
Unearthed in Rockford, Illinois, this Firedome is a proper barn find. It’s been parked since 1986, so it spent nearly 40 years off the road. While that’s long enough to turn a 1950s classic into a pile of junk, this DeSoto is still in one piece. And in addition to being complete and pretty much straight on the outside, it doesn’t have major rust issues.
The interior is a different story due to rodent infestation and lack of maintenance. The upholstery is pretty much toast, while the headliner is dirty and torn in places. The condition of the floors is unclear from the photos provided, and they may need to be replaced.
The Firedome still has a V8 under the hood, which appears to be the original unit. If that’s true, we’re looking at a 276-cubic-inch (4.5-liter) lump of the HEMI variety. Part of Chrysler’s first-generation HEMI family, it was DeSoto’s first and smallest powerplant with hemispherical combustion chambers.
Called the FireDome, it debuted in 1952 with 160 horsepower. The engine remained in production through 1954. It was replaced by a 291-cubic-inch (4.8-liter) version for the 1955 model year. DeSoto’s first eight-cylinder engine since 1931, the 276 V8, enabled the Firedome to hit 60 mph (97 kph) in 15.5 seconds while charging toward a top speed of 100 mph (161 kph).
This first-gen Firedome comes from an era when the nameplate was DeSoto’s range-topping offering. For the second generation (1955-1956), the badge was relegated to entry-level duty, and then it moved upmarket to mid-level specs for the final iteration (1957-1959).
If you want to save this six-passenger four-door sedan (one of 45,000 built like this in 1954), the DeSoto will cost you $4,000. Is this Firedome worth rescuing?