Classic Car Review: 1955 Desoto S-21 FireFlite Sportsman
by: Timothy Sexton
Posted on: Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 at 11:49 am by: Timothy Sexton
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The 1955 DeSoto FireFlite Sportsman was longer than any previous model. It was wider than any previous model. And, amazingly, it was even sleeker than any previous DeSoto. The FireFlite was introduced by DeSoto in 1955 to become its standard model and was defined by its lush exterior design highlighted by almost impossibly beautiful two-tone paint scheme. To see this magnificent vehicle growling down the road was to witness what 1950s automobile construction was all about. Topping out at over two tons, the 1955 DeSoto Sportsman was more a beast than a mere car, somehow managing to combine sheer ungainly power with the elegance of a vehicle that seemed far sportier than it had any right to.
Contributing to this seeming paradox was the fact that this monster provided what was one of the quietest and smoothest riding experiences of its period. In fact, the FireFlite Sportsman was legendary for the kittenish purr of its engine despite the fact that an impressive V8 pumped under the hood, providing all 255 horses that were required to get this luxury vehicle up to its maximum speed of 110 mph. This luxury was accentuated by the new DeSoto PowerFlite automatic transmission. This nifty little transmission was actually controlled by a unique Flite-Control lever that DeSoto had decided to mount on the dashboard. Driving a 1955 Sportsman seemed more like flying an airplane in more ways than one. In addition to having the bulk of a very small plane, the interior dash was designed with a plane’s cockpit in mind. Even the front windshield was enlarged and tapered to give the driver more viewing area than ever.
The DeSoto has gotten quite an unfair reputation over the years as its station wagon has become the defining model, making it seem like a stiff, unexciting family-oriented vehicle. Anyone who takes one look at the 1955 Sportsman can clearly see that there was more to the DeSoto line of cars than just the staid family wagon, however. Although never confused with a muscle car or sizzling sports cars, the 1955 DeSoto FireFlite is a terrific example of the forgotten car of that misunderstood decade: the sporty luxury cruiser that could not only get the family from one place to another, but make them look good and cocoon them in the finest of creature comforts in the process.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeSoto_Fireflite
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1950-desoto-custom-sportsman.htm
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