1955 DeSoto Fireflite 2 Door Hardtop

DeSoto suddenly changed in 1955; so much so even Betty Grable was forced to stop and stare. She and husband Harry James, with Groucho Marx hiding in the backseat, appeared on national television extolling the virtues of the "Styled for Tomorrow" '55 DeSoto. "Jumping Citations!" exclaimed horse enthusiast Harry at his first glance. "It ought to be great in the stretch. I know a thoroughbred when I see one."

DeSoto now had styling to go with its Hemi power. DeSoto was longer, wider, and sleeker than any previously. It was also more colorful. DeSoto Fireflites and Firedomes could be dressed up with enormous, fang-shaped color panels that were standard on the Fireflite convertible and hardtop. DeSoto even introduced one of the earliest three tone paint jobs on the 1955 Cornando spring special.
DeSoto was equally new on the inside. PowerFlite automatic was operated by an intriguing Flite-Control lever mounted on the dashboard. The dashboard was dramatically styled with a dual cockpit gull wing theme. Even the view out was improved with DeSoto's first wrap around windshield.

Riding in a '55 DeSoto was an experience. The engine was whisper quite and the ride super smooth. There seemed to be miles between the driver and front seat passenger. Everywhere, there was quality whether it was the Fireflite Sportsman's leather upholstery or the Firedome's glossy dashboard. A '55 DeSoto was sure to please even the most jaded consumer. Of course, sales were high. 114,765 DeSotos found happy owners for the 1955 model year. The calendar year total of 131,753 was the best since 1946.

This might be the best running and looking 1955 DeSoto on the planet. It is painted in the correct Shell Pink and Surf White which was a very rare option in 1955 and only offered very near the end of the production run. The Pink and White interior is leather and cloth. It has the 291ci Hemi engine that was painted in the latter available Adventurer Gold, instead of the factory Silver. The automatic transmission is the Powerflite 2-speed automatic. This DeSoto was found in 1986 at a Chevrolet dealer in Cincinnati, Ohio by the son of the previous owner.

It received a full and complete restoration that was completed in 1993, It was a very solid body with no rust or damage when the restoration began. The mileage is 84,562 which is the actual mileage. These DeSoto’s are becoming more and more valuable every day and this would be an excellent addition to any collection.

Branson Auto Museum was conceived in August of 2007 and opened on May 15, 2009. Partners in the Museum,knew that the Branson area was hungry for car and automotive related things to do. Branson Auto Museum was originally scheduled to go into a purpose built 20,000 sq. ft. building on the Strip. When the partners discovered that the former crafts mall the "Engler Block" was available, they knew it would be the perfect fit for what they were planning. The buiding is layed out in sections that wander through the building which is the ideal setting for a museum. The charm and character of the building also lends itself nicely to a museum.