1956 DeSoto Fireflite Pacesetter Convertible

Bid to $62,000 on 10/11/23

1956 DeSoto Fireflite Pacesetter Convertible

This 1956 DeSoto Fireflite convertible is one of 1,485 convertibles built for the model year and is said to be one of fewer than 426 Pacesetter examples produced in the style of the Fireflite pace car used at that year’s Indianapolis 500. It was delivered new to Al Englert’s Motor Sales, Inc. of Schenectady, New York, and was refurbished under previous ownership. It earned an AACA Senior National First Prize in 1989 and a Senior Grand National Prize in 1991 before it was purchased by the selling dealer in 2023. The car is finished in white and gold over gold upholstery, and power comes from a 330ci Hemi V8 with a Carter four-barrel carburetor paired with a push-button two-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes power-assisted steering and drum brakes, a power-operated tan soft top, power windows, a powered front bench seat, a Benrus DeSotomatic steering wheel hub-mounted clock, a Highway Hi-Fi under-dash record player, and an AM radio. This Fireflite Pacesetter is now offered in North Salem, New York, with an owner’s manual, original sales documents, a set of pace car decals, and a clean North Carolina title.

On January 11, 1956, DeSoto announced that its restyled-for-1956 Fireflite convertible would be the pace car at that year’s Indianapolis 500 and that a limited run of replicas, dubbed the Pacesetter, would be made available to the public. This example was repainted white with gold accents under previous ownership. Equipment includes chrome bumpers, fins running from the rear of the doors to the taillights, dual retractable antennas, a power-operated tan soft top, dual fender-mounted mirrors, and a hood ornament. A set of pace car decals are included in the sale and can be seen in the gallery.

The steel wheels wear gold DeSoto-branded covers and 7.50–15 BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall bias-ply tires. The Fireflite rides on a 126″ wheelbase and features power-assisted steering as well as a coil-sprung independent front suspension and a live rear axle with leaf springs. Stopping power is provided by power-assisted 12″ drums at all four corners.

The cabin features bench seats trimmed in gold upholstery with brown patterned cloth accents. Color-matched door panels are fitted, while black-and-white carpets line the floors. Additional appointments include power-operated windows and a front bench seat, a locking glovebox, a Highway Hi-Fi under-dash record player, and an AM radio.

The two-tone steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and a Benrus DeSotomatic hub-mounted clock, and it frames a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for amperage, fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 89k miles, approximately 100 of which were added by the selling dealer. Total mileage is unknown.

The 330ci Hemi V8 features five main bearings and a Carter four-barrel carburetor for a factory rating of 255 horsepower.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a PowerFlite two-speed push-button automatic transmission.

AACA Senior National First Prize and Senior Grand National Prize plaques are mounted under the hood.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

High Bid	USD $62,000 (Reserve Not Met)
Auction Ended	October 11, 2023 at 12:02PM PT
Bids	8

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462 watchers

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