1953 – National DeSoto Club, Inc.

1953

At first glance, it wouldn't appear as though much changed from the 1952 models. However, that was hardly true at all. Starting at the front, the toothy grill evolved from a 9-tooth to an 11-tooth grill and also integrated the parking lights into the ends. Moving around the sides saw an update to the profile. On the main body, the fender shape carried through all the way to the rear quarter continuously on all models except the wagons and 8-passenger sedans, which retained the 1952 sheet metal. The gas filler also moved with the sheet metal change from the side to the rear and moving up the car a bit saw an updated cowl and roofline, necessitated by the new one-piece curved windshield and rear window. This change, unlike the side sheet metal, did carry through to the wagons and 8-passenger sedans, though the Sportsman models still sported trim strips that divided the rear window into three sections. Also notable on the body was the updated Firedome Eight emblems. Whereas in 1952 it simply said "8" and left open the possibility that it was a straight 8, 1953 removed all doubt by putting "V" emblems on all sides of the car!

January 1953 saw the release of the brand new air conditioning option, though it was not installed on many cars that first year. Also new for 1953 was true wire spoke wheels, which would be available through the 1956 model year. While these things were new, the Tip-Toe shift transmission would be in it's last year as the fully-automatic Powerflite was set to replace it the following year. Tip-Toe transmission with Fluid Drive coupling, the 3-speed standard shift transmission, or overdrive unit could be paired with the S-18 Powermaster Six or S-16 Firedome V-8 models. Optional on the Firedome Eight model was Fluid-Torque Drive.

Powermaster Six engine: 251 c.i. 6 cylinder

Firedome Eight engine: 276 c.i. V-8 hemi

Wheelbase: 125.5 (standard, including wagon), 139.5 (8-passenger sedans)

Los Angeles Powermaster VIN Start: 62039001

Los Angeles Powermaster VIN End: 62042345

Detroit Powermaster VIN Start: 50266001

Detroit Powermaster VIN End: 50304981

Los Angeles Firedome VIN Start: 64008001

Los Angeles Firedome VIN End: 64015691

Detroit Firedome VIN Start: 55050001

Detroit Firedome VIN End: 55127622

Production Numbers