1954 – National DeSoto Club, Inc.

1954

In 1954, as Chrysler Corporation prepared to launch an entirely new styling for the following year, new innovations and changes were still being made to the current models. First and foremost was the launch of the all-new Powerflite fully-automatic transmission. This was big news in 1954 when many cars were still manual shifting or only partially automatic. This transmission also paired up nicely with the hemi engine, delivering smooth power under all road conditions. Though only a 2-speed, the shift speed was variable, shifting at slower speeds when accelerating gently and shifting at higher speeds when accelerating hard.

Smaller updates came in the form of new bumpers and bumper guards that were more graceful and rounded than the previous design. The general shape of those was one of the few exterior carry-overs to 1955. Also of note was the subtle change in the shape of the parking lights from an oval-rectangle shape in 1953 to round in 1954, making the '54 cars easy to identify from the front.

1954 would be the last year for the Powermaster Six model and along with that would also be the last 6 cylinder engine offered in a domestic DeSoto. It was, however, the first of two years for the Coronado package, which was available on the Firedome model in the spring. It featured unique white and aqua two-tone paint (available inverted for a total of two paint combinations), a small medallion on the c-pillars and special "Coronado" badges on the fenders.

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: 62043001

Los Angeles Powermaster VIN End: 62043897

Detroit Powermaster VIN Start: 50306001

Detroit Powermaster VIN End: 50322514

Los Angeles Firedome VIN Start: 64017001

Los Angeles Firedome VIN End: 64020704

Detroit Firedome VIN Start: 55130001

Detroit Firedome VIN End: 55182504

Production Numbers