DeSoto Firesweep I 4-Door Sedan 5.3 V8 (245 Hp)
People\'s Opinion
N/A / 5
DeSoto Firesweep:
The DeSoto Firesweep is an automobile that was produced by DeSoto from 1957 through 1959.
The Firesweep was a lower-priced entry that combined a Dodge shell and chassis with a DeSoto bumper and grill. 1957 models were sold only as imports in Canada. While the Firesweep featured DeSoto's signature tailfins, the front clip was based on the Dodge Coronet. The most telling feature was the headlight design, housed under heavily chromed lids typical of Dodge. Firesweep grilles were similar to those on other contemporary DeSoto models....(Read more on Wikipedia)
I 4-Door Sedan Overview:
DeSoto Firesweep (I 4-Door Sedan). With 434 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1667 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. With seating for 6, it’s perfect for larger families.
Performance Verdict
The 5.3L V8 provided strong, smooth power for its time, offering robust acceleration suitable for highway cruising and confident overtaking when paired with the manual transmission.
Fuel Economy
Typical for a large V8 of the era, fuel economy was not a priority and would be considered poor by modern standards, especially with a manual transmission.
Best Use Case:
Highway cruising, weekend drives
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Classic American styling and presence
- • Smooth and powerful V8 engine for its time
- • Spacious and comfortable interior for six passengers
- • Relatively robust mechanicals for the era
Cons:
- • Poor fuel economy by modern standards
- • Lack of modern safety features
- • Large turning circle and handling characteristics typical of the era
- • Maintenance can be challenging due to age and parts availability
Specifications:
| General: |
| Brand: | DeSoto |
| Model: | Firesweep |
| Generation: | I 4-Door Sedan |
| Modification (Engine): | 5.3 V8 (245 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1956 |
| End of production: | 1957 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 6 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: |
| Power: | 245 Hp @ 4400 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 46 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 434 Nm @ 2400 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | S27 |
| Engine displacement: | 5326 |
| Number of cylinders: | 8 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHV |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.7 l |
| Coolant: | 19.9 l |
| Cylinder Bore: | 93.73 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 96.52 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 |
| Performance: |
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 6.8 kg/Hp, 147 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 3.8 kg/Nm, 260.3 Nm/tonne |
| Space: |
| Kerb Weight: | 1667 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 76 l |
| Size: |
| Ramp-over (brakeover) angle: | 10.2° |
| Length: | 5481 mm mm |
| Width: | 1986 mm mm |
| Height: | 1440 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 3099 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1547 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1516 mm |
| Front overhang: | 925 mm |
| Rear overhang: | 1458 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 137 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 13.1 m |
| Approach angle: | 18.9° |
| Departure angle: | 12.9° |
| Powertrain: |
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
|---|
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
|---|
| Number of gears | 3 |
|---|
| Transmission type | Manual |
|---|
| Steering type | Worm-reduction unit |
|---|
| Front suspension | Independent coil spring |
|---|
| Rear suspension | Leaf spring |
Behind the wheel of the DeSoto Firesweep. How does it handle on the road?