Today’s Pick: 1957 DeSoto Firesweep Sportsman

Let’s imagine The car brand is stuck in the middle of the hierarchy, while its pricier siblings consistently outsell you. Can that continue in a rapidly converging market? That’s the story of DeSoto, and our pick today is the DeSoto model that provided the brand with a lifeline: a 1957 DeSoto Firesweep Sportsman. It’s listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a shop in Stratford, Connecticut. (Click on the link to see the listing)

Where does the DeSoto fit in the collector car world? Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler are popular, but the DeSoto wasn’t always equally loved. Introduced in 1929, the DeSoto was positioned above the Plymouth (also new for 1929) and below the Dodge, which was in turn positioned below the Chrysler. However, in 1933, the Chrysler Corporation changed the market positioning of both the Dodge and the DeSoto, with the latter now serving as a cheaper alternative to the Chrysler. This remained the case until 1961.

In 1950, GM introduced the Sportsman model for Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac, and a year later, DeSoto joined the “hardtop convertible” trend. Starting in 1953, the Sportsman became a sub-model that marked the hardtop body style, and DeSoto built models featuring engines, with the hemi-head V8 model being named Fire Dome and the inline six-cylinder model now known as Powermaster.

In 1955, with the introduction of Virgil Exner’s Forward Look, DeSoto dropped the six-cylinder Powermaster and added the Fireflite to the top model, and introduced a particularly performance-oriented Adventurer in 1956. During this era, DeSoto sales lagged behind Chrysler, despite Chrysler being a more prestigious brand. While the same was true for Oldsmobile and Buick during the same period, both brands sold in the hundreds of thousands, so this was not an issue.

After introducing a redesigned 1957 model with “Flight Sweep” styling, DeSoto introduced a “new value” called the Firesweep. This new lowline series was essentially a DeSoto styling on a Dodge body and chassis, but the Dodge forehead was featured on the Firesweep, the front end was different from other DeSoto models, and the model did not have the optional quad headlights. This gave DeSoto sales a much-needed boost, although DeSoto sales failed to surpass Chrysler, falling just a few thousand units short of Chrysler. However, quality issues that damaged the reputation of Chrysler’s products, coupled with the 1958 recession that hit the mid-priced market hard, ruined DeSoto’s momentum. By the end of 1960, just after the 1961 model was introduced, the DeSoto was phased out.

This 1957 DeSoto Firesweep Sportsman is the cheapest way to get eye-catching, sporty hardtop DeSoto styling. Since it’s based on a Dodge, this Firesweep is powered by a 245-horsepower polysphere 325 twin-chamber engine, although a quad bumps power to 260. For comparison, the 345ci Adventurer made 345 hp. “The vehicle’s exterior features a classic two-tone paint job and iconic rear fin that captures the design ethos of the era,” the seller says. “Inside, the cabin is beautifully preserved, offering a nostalgic yet comfortable driving experience; the original seat upholstery is in excellent condition, as is the headliner and instrument panel.” Yes, this car also has push-button Torque-Flite!

This Firesweep Sportsman has been in the hands of a Mopar collector for decades and is ready for a new workout and love in the garage. Considering the high prices some Forward Look cars command, we think this 1957 DeSoto could sell for $42,000.

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