1953 DeSoto Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1953 DeSoto Firedome V-8 Sedan
1. DeSoto Powermaster 6 Replaces Deluxe & Custom
2. Power Steering Debuts
3. Full Width One Piece Windshield Arrives
4. Power Brakes Are Touted
5. Styling Gets Minor Upgrade
25th Anniversary – But No Party?
This was the 25th anniversary for DeSoto, but no special models were offered. A new series called, “Powermaster”, debuted replacing both the Deluxe and Custom lines. It was named to coincide with the L-Head Six that drove it. The V-8 received no power boost this year. The big news was the new curved single-pane windshield.
1953 DeSoto Resources
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1953 DeSoto Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1953 DeSoto
| 301 Black | |
| 308 French Blue | |
| 309 Harbor Blue | |
| 310 Midnight Blue | |
| 322 Spring Green | |
| 323 Marine Green | |
| 324 Forest Green | |
| 335 Sea Mist Gray | |
| 336 Slate Gray | |
| 345 Arizona Beige | |
| 346 Morocco Brown | |
| 361 Sovereign Maroon | |
| 365 Ceramic Yellow |
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1953 DeSoto Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1953 DeSoto
This was the 25th anniversary for DeSoto, but no special models were offered. A new series, “Powermaster”, debuted named to coincide with the L-Head Six it was named after. Gone were the DeLuxe and Custom. With the introduction of this model, there were now only two series, that and the Firedome. Also retired was the Suburban—a series that had no buyers now that station wagons and 4-door sedan taxis were popular.
The 1953 DeSotos were similar in appearance to the 1952 car, yet the design had a major sheet metal revamp, but it was subtle and barely noticeable. It was much improved over the abrupt styling of 1952, but to most buyers it went unnoticed. In a change, the front fender line extended front to rear and the back fenders were now integral with the body structure even though they bulged out at the front. The roof line now faded into the rear deck in a more pleasing fashion. Big news was the one-piece, curved windshield. The Club Coupe was now more Sportsman-like than the previous year’s counterpart, boosting sales. Only the station wagon continued with 1952 fender styling.
The Sportsman hardtop used the 1952 style roof structure with its three-piece rear window treatment, while the eight-passenger sedan used the 1952 body with the new one-piece curved windshield. The 1952 “toothy” grille added two more of those, now at eleven. Side chrome was more evident as Korean War demands abated.
HISTORICAL: The DeSoto Adventurer experimental show car was on the show circuit in 1953. Chrysler purchased the Briggs Manufacturing Company this year for $35,000,000. This was the 25th anniversary for DeSoto, but no special models were offered.
1953 DeSoto Factoids
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There were lots of subtle styling changes in the 1953 year. Here’s the significant ones:
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- Hood scoop was more subtle and fit the rounded hood better. Fitted to all models.
- Firedome received a “V” under the DeSoto logo.
- Firedome had a chrome front fender splash guard and chrome strip extending toward the rear fender.
- Powermaster had no front splash guard and no chrome strip.
- “Firedome” side nameplate had a V8 under the name.
- Powermaster had only “Powermaster” on the front fender, no “V”.
- Both models had two extra “teeth” in the grille.
Subtle changes were made to the body:
- The tail lights were even more peaked and longer, with just a hint of a fin to them. Instead of being flush with the body, they stood off more.
- The wrap-around rear window dramatically modernized the car, and the rear trunk was raised and yet still rounded.
- The bumper guards were standard and very prominent.
1953 DeSoto Facts – Models Offered
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POWERMASTER SERIES S18 (6-Cylinder): The Powermaster took the place of the Deluxe, and taking on the trim and interiors of that model line. The L-Head Six continued to be the only power plant. For identification purposes, the word “Powermaster” was on both front fenders and there was no additional chrome trim, unlike the Firedome.
Standard equipment on Powermaster included dual sun visors, dual two-speed electric wipers, directional signals with parking brake light, cigar lighter, stainless steel trim rings, illuminated glove box with lock, dual outside door locks, map light, counter balanced luggage compartment lid, illuminated luggage compartment, right and left front door arm rests, interior door locks and bumper guards front and rear.
FIREDOME SERIES S16 (8-Cylinder Hemi): The Firedome was the V-8 model, and it shared most features of the six-cylinder Powermaster series. It offered the same six body styles that had been available in 1952. Highlights included brakes with 12-inch drums, “Cyclebond” brake linings, Oriflow shock absorbers, coil front springs, waterproof ignition, full length water jackets, full pressure lubrication, air vent hood and an improved frame designed to resist twisting.
Changes from 1952 included new combination tail, stop and backup lights and a gas cap positioned below the deck lid on the left side on the rear fascia. The words “Firedome V-8” appeared on both front fenders and the word “Eight” was set on the right side of the rear fascia, below the deck lid. A chrome trim slash was placed on the front fenders of all Firedome models except the eight-passenger sedan and the station wagon. Standard equipment mirrored the Powermaster, however, the Firedome has upscale interior fabrics in some models.
1953 DeSoto Facts – Engines
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Powermaster I-6: L-head in-line six-cylinder. Cast iron block. Four main bearings.
Displacement: 250.6 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.4375 x 4.500 inches.
Compression ratio: 7.0:1.
Horsepower: 116 @ 3600 RPM.
Torque: 208 ft. lbs. @ 1600 RPM
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake 236°, Exhaust 236°, Overlap 18°, Lift (Intake) 0.375″ (Exhaust) 0.375″.
Carburetor: Carburetor: Carter E9C1.
Firedome Series Hemi V-8: V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 276.1 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.626 x 3.344inches.
Compression ratio: 7.1:1.
Horsepower: 160 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 250 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244 Exhaust 244°, Overlap 26°, Lift (Intake) 0.361″ (Exhaust) 0.361″.
Carburetor: Carter WCD two-barrel models BBD-909-S.
1953 DeSoto Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: (Long wheelbase models) 139.5″ (All others) 125.5″.
- Overall length: Long wheelbase models – 224.625″ Short wheelbase models 213.375″, except Station Wagon 212.750″.
- Overall width: 77.25″.
- Overall height: 62.50″.
- Front tread: 56.3125″.
- Rear tread: 59.625″.
- Tires: Long wheelbase – 8.20 x 15 All Others – 7.60 x 15.
1953 DeSoto Facts – Powertrains
- Four Speed Fluid Coupling Transmission Ratios
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- With Fluid Drive: 1st – 3.57:1, 2nd – 2.04:1, 3rd – 1.75:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 3.99:1.
- With Tip Toe Shift – 3.28:1, 2nd – 2.04:1, 3rd – 1.61:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 3.69:1.
- NOTE: Standard “H” pattern shift, w/1st not accessible.
- Four Speed Torque Converter Transmission Ratios
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- With Torque Converter: 1st – 3.57:1, 2nd – 2.04:1, 3rd – 1.75:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 3.99:1.
- With Tip Toe Shift – 3.28:1, 2nd – 2.04:1, 3rd – 1.61:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 3.69:1.
- NOTE: Standard “H” pattern shift, w/1st not accessible.
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- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.57:1, 2nd – 1.83:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 3.48:1
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Overdrive Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.57:1, 2nd – 1.83:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 3.48:1, Overdrive 0.70:1
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- I-6:
3-Speed Manual Transmission – 3.90:1.
3-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive – 4.30:1
4-Speed Semi-Automatic Transmission – 3.901:1. - V-8:
3-Speed Manual Transmission – 3.73:1.
3-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive – 4.10:1
4-Speed Semi-Automatic Transmission – 3.731:1; with Torque Drive – 3.54:1
- I-6:
1953 DeSoto Facts – Powertrain Options
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- Powermaster: 3-speed manual transmission standard with 4-speed Fluid Drive and 3-speed Overdrive optional.
- Firedome: 3-speed manual transmission standard with 4-speed Torque Converter transmission and 3-speed Overdrive optional.
1953 DeSoto Facts – Significant Options
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- Electric window lifts.
- Power brakes.
- Power steering.
- Solex glass.
- Tip Toe Shift with Fluid Drive.
- White sidewall tires.
1953 DeSoto Downloads and Images
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1953 DeSoto Firedome Convertible
The 1953 DeSoto Firedome Convertible looked a bit sharper for 1953. The result was a doubling of sales to 1,700.
1953 DeSoto Firedome Sportsman
The 1953 Firedome Sportsman hardtop was the flashiest DeSoto next to the Convertible. It now sported a curved one-piece front windshield, but it retained the ’52 three-piece rear glass. 4,700 were produced.
1953 DeSoto Firedome 4-Door Sedan
By 1953, the DeSoto Firedome 4-Door Sedan had caught up to their Olds and Mercury counterparts in desirability, delivering 64,211 to customers.
1953 DeSoto Firedome 2-Door Club Coupe
Like the 4-door, the 1953 DeSoto 2-door Club Coupe was closer in looks to its competition, and a bit ahead in power. The result was 14,591 sold, better than twice as many as in the previous year.
1953 DeSoto Firedome Station Wagon
The 1953 DeSoto Firedome Station Wagon was still not a large seller, only moving 1100 units, even with its V-8 power.
1953 DeSoto Firedome 8 Passenger Sedan
The 1953 DeSoto Firedome 8-passenger sedan was still hanging in there, but with only 200 sold, it would only last for another year.
1953 DeSoto Powermaster Sportsman
The 1953 Powermaster 6 owners were happy that the Sportsman was available. Unfortunately, the sub-par performance of the 116 HP six did not entice many buyers. Only 1,470 were purchased.
1953 DeSoto Powermaster 4-Door Sedan
The 1953 Powermaster 4-door was almost indistinguishable from its 8-cylinder counterpart. Many were not put off by its tepid performance. The result was 33,644 deliveries.
1953 DeSoto Powermaster 2-Door Club Coupe
1953 DeSoto Powermaster 2-door Club Coupes sold well, with over 8,000 delivered. Surely the new, airy lines – emulating the Sportsman – helped.
1953 DeSoto Powermaster Station Wagon
The 1953 Powermaster Station Wagon was not very popular – with only 500 produced. Perhaps it was the $3,093 base price – more than a Firedome Sportsman.
1953 DeSoto Powermaster 8 Passenger Sedan
The 1953 Powermaster 8-passenger sedan was hard put to move spritely with only 116 HP. Regardless 225 were sold.