The 1957 Desoto Firesweep was part of Chrysler's "Forward Look" design era, known for dramatic tailfins and futuristic styling. It was positioned as the entry level Desoto model but still offered strong V8 performance and bold luxury styling typical of late 1950s American Cars.
DeSoto…
The 1957 Desoto Firesweep was part of Chrysler’s “Forward Look” design era, known for dramatic tailfins and futuristic styling. It was positioned as the entry level Desoto model but still offered strong V8 performance and bold luxury styling typical of late 1950s American Cars.
DeSoto models were announced October 30, 1956. The 1957 was a well-integrated design. A new entry level model was introduced, called the “Firesweep” series, that used the 1957 Dodge chassis and drive train under its skin. The styling was well integrated with two minor variations: the smaller Firesweep body was placed on the Dodge 122-inch wheelbase chassis with Dodge front fenders but the larger car’s front fascia, less dual headlights while the Firedome, Fireflite and Adventurer sat on the larger 126-inch wheelbase chassis that was shared with Chrysler.
Changes from 1956 included: new bodies that were lower and longer, new side trim and color sweep treatments, a massive new bumper grille combination, and new up-swept rear fender tailfins. All Chrysler products went to a torsion bar suspension for 1957, called “Torsionaire” in advertising. The overdrive transmission was discontinued this year.
The Adventurer was the first base-model U.S. car to provide one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement – as the car’s 345-horsepower engine was standard equipment. (The 1956 Chrysler 300-B and 1957 Chevrolet/Corvette models were available with one horsepower per cubic inch V-8s as optional equipment.
The Firesweep line made DeSoto the only maker in the medium-low price field to achieve a gain in new car sales over the previous season.
The 1957 DeSoto Fireflite and Firedome (left) models had similar front fascias, but the Firesweep (right) used the Dodge front with a DeSoto bumper. Note the chrome surround on the Firesweep swept up over the headlights across the bottom of the hood and over the other headlight. The Fireflite/Firedome had individual cutouts for the headlights and no chrome lip on the hood. Note the difference is in the front fenders – Firesweep smooth sided, others with creases.
The Fireflite had a “V” at the end of the front fenders intersecting the top chrome molding and a chrome ornament on the top of the fender at the front. Fireflites had two bullet type bumperettes. It should be noted that bezels were designed to accept dual headlights which were standard after January 1 (see inset). The Adventurer came with the dual headlights due to its late release.
FIRESWEEP SERIES S27 (8-Cylinder v-8): This new, lower-priced line helped increase DeSoto production during what would be known as a major recession year. Identification features for this line were “Firesweep” on the rear fender, a wide continuous metal band on the tops and side of the headlamp hoods, optional dual color “sweep moldings” or a standard trim treatment that had a molding starting at the rear of the car and extending forward across two-thirds of the front door.
Standard features included: “Torsionaire Ride”, “Oriflow” shocks, “Safety-Lock” door latches, “Total Contact” brakes and “Power-Tip” spark plugs. The Firesweep used Dodge-sourced engines that featured Polyspheric “semi-hemi” combustion chambers and 325 CID. The Automatic transmission was the older Powerflite 2-speed unit rather than the new Torqueflite.
The Firesweep was available as a 4-door Sedan, 4-door Hardtop, 2-door Hardtop, and Station Wagon.
Firesweep Base V-8. (Dodge-sourced engine). Overhead valves, polyspheric combustion chamber. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 325 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.69″ x 3.80″.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 245 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 320 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 248°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 26°, Lift (Intake) 0.389″ (Exhaust) 0.389″.
Carburetor: Manual Transmission: Stromberg two-barrel model WW3-149; Auto Transmission: Stromberg two-barrel model WW3-150.
Key Specifications:
Engine & Performance
Engine: 325 cu in (5.3L) V8
Power: 245 Hp (Standard)
Optional: 260 hp ” Power Pack” V8
Carburetor : Stromberg 2 barrel
Fuel System: Carbureted gasoline engine
Key Specifications:
Engine & Performance
Engine: 325 cu in (5.3L) V8
Power: 245 Hp (Standard)
Optional: 260 hp ” Power Pack” V8
Carburetor : Stromberg 2 barrel
Fuel System: Carbureted gasoline engine
For more details, please contact us at:
nandu@mbscarcollection.com
00971 505015299