1958 – National DeSoto Club, Inc.

1958

The Exciting Look and Feel of the Future

1958 was a down year in sales for most automobile manufacturers and DeSoto was no exception, not helped by the spreading word of build quality issues in 1957. Though the body was largely unchanged from 1957, there were a few noticeable updates. First was the windshield shape on the hardtops, which now curved back into the roof. Also changed was the sweep, which ran on the upper portion of the car and kicked up in the back instead of down. Quad headlights were legal in all 50 states by the beginning of the '58 model year, so every 1958 DeSoto had them. The rear exhaust ports were pinched and the front bumper and parking lots slightly rearranged, amongst several other small details.

Perhaps the largest change for the model year was the hemi being replaced by the new wedge V8, which was lighter and produced the same power as the hemi had in 1957. Also new for 1958 was an attempt at a fuel injection option on the Adventurer model. Ultimately the technology was not ready and the handful of cars that had it were recalled and carburetors were installed instead. Fuel injected cars received a distinctive "Fuel Injection" emblem on each front fender. Spring special trim and colors were also available on all models except the Adventurer as a dress-up package, adding rocker trim, rear vertical trunk strips, and a stainless insert in the sweep.

As part of a sales gimmick, DeSoto dealers all over the country displayed the one-year-only 1958 DeSoto Firemite, a miniature version of the 1958 DeSoto that could hold two kids and was powered by a 2 hp Briggs and Stratton gasoline engine. Kids all over the country dragged their parents to the dealer to see or buy one. Due to their fragile construction and abuse at the hands of their young drivers, few survive today. More details can be found on Lee Exline's website at the link below. Lee is a National DeSoto Club member and is considered the leading authority on the Firemites.

http://www.jrcentral.com/firemite.html

The '58 model year would also be the last year Groucho Marx and George Fenneman would be spokesmen for the brand and the last year DeSoto sponsored "You Bet Your Life". In '59, celebrities such as Rock Hudson would fill that roll.

The National DeSoto Club maintains a registry for all known 1958 DeSotos. If you have one and would like it added to the list, please contact David Frank at fireflite56@gmail.com.

Firesweep engine: 350 c.i. 2 bbl standard

Firedome engine: 361 c.i. 2 bbl standard

Fireflite engine: 361 c.i. 4 bbl standard

Adventurer engine: 361 c.i. dual 4 bbl standard, 361 w/fuel injection optional

Wheelbase: Firesweep 122 inches, Firedome/Fireflite/Adventurer 126 inches

Los Angeles Firesweep VIN Start: LS1L-1001

Los Angeles Firesweep VIN End:

Detroit Firesweep VIN Start: LS1-1001

Detroit Firesweep VIN End:

Los Angeles Firedome VIN Start: LS2L-1001

Los Angeles Firedome VIN End:

Detroit Firedome VIN Start: LS2-1001