1957 DeSoto wagons finally had a similar fin and rear tail lights. The lenses were the same, but the bezel was different. The regular car’s bezel was squared off to meet the exhaust cutouts in bumper, while the wagons were rounded and stood away from the wagon’s different unit. The wagon had bumperettes and the regular cars did not. The license plate cutout was set in the bumper on the wagons, and in the trunk on the others.

The 1957 DeSoto Adventurer had 345 advertised horsepower; 1 HP per CID as its normal engine – not an option like others like the Fuel Injection  Chevrolet. This V-8 was definitely a high output engine, with a 280/280 degree and 0.430/0.413″ lift camshaft, dual valve springs, and of course, two 4-barrel carburetors. Dual exhaust was standard.

Torqueflite – Chrysler’s 3-speed transmission, with the original design used well into the 1980s, appeared as an available standard or optional transmission this year. Gear ratios were 2.45:1 in first, 1.45 in second, and 1.00 in third. The transmission was controlled by a series of push buttons located on the vehicle’s dashboard, clockwise starting at upper left.

FIREDOME SERIES S25 (8-Cylinder Hemi): The former low-priced DeSoto became the middle series in 1957. This was a true DeSoto in the sense it shared no parts with a Dodge though, of course, it did share the major body structure of all Chrysler products. The triple round taillamp theme was a carryover from 1956. Headlights were positioned separate from the grille. The grille was now part of the bumper structure and the “color sweep” was located low on the body panels. Exhaust tips were integrated with the rear bumper and were of a flat oval or elliptical shape; suggesting the same styling used for the grille.

Sedans had six-windows, and the license plate housing was recessed into the rear deck lid. Twin rear antennas and dual headlamps were available in this series. There were rear fender “Firedome” nameplates, a Firesweep-like standard molding treatment, and optional color sweep style side moldings.

The Firedome was available as a 4-door Sedan, 4-door Hardtop, 2-door Hardtop, and Convertible.

FIREFLITE S26 (8-Cylinder Hemi): Fireflites – the top-line series – had “Fireflite” rear fender nameplates, and medallions were added at the front fender side moldings. Headlights, like the Firedome, were also positioned separate from the grille, with cut-back notches in the sides of the hood. Late in the model run, headlights became dual units, prior to that single lamps sat in these bezels. Dual color sweep moldings were standard trim on hardtops and convertibles. The standard side trim used on sedans and station wagons consisted of the upper molding sections only.

The convertible coupe used a distinctive, dome-like windshield, which would become standard for all Sportsman models for 1958. Front fender top chrome ornaments were used on some Fireflite models.

The six-passenger station wagon was referred to as the “Shopper”, while the nine-passenger version was called the “Explorer”.  Torqueflite automatic transmission, foam seat cushions, backup lights, and wheel covers were all standard.

The Fireflite was available was available as a 4-door Sedan, 4-door Hardtop, 2-door Hardtop, Convertible and Station Wagon.

ADVENTURER SERIES S26A (8-Cylinder Hemi): The Adventurer was once again the high-powered, performance car line. The Adventurer hardtop coupe was introduced two months after regular DeSoto introductions. An Adventurer convertible was introduced even later in the model year, which is the reason for such low production numbers. Both models had special gold colored trim accents as would be the differentiator of the line as had been the case in 1956. The two-toning and the “color sweep” copied the Fireflite.  Distinctive “Adventurer” nameplates appeared on the rear fender and bright metal strips were found on the rear deck lid. Dual headlamps were standard as they were now accepted as legal in all states when the Adventurer was released.

The Adventurer’s standard equipment consisted of: Torqueflite automatic transmission, power brakes, dual exhausts, dual rear radio antenna, dual outside rear view mirrors, white sidewall tires, padded dashboards, and special paint and trim. As in 1956, the Adventurer had a special V-8 racing type camshaft and with dual four-barrel carburetors as standard. This V-8 made one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement — an industry first.

The Adventurer was now available as a 2-door Hardtop and Convertible.

Firesweep Power Pack V-8. (Dodge-sourced engine). Overhead valves, polyspheric combustion chamber. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 325 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.69″ x 3.80″.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 260 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 335 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 248°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 26°, Lift (Intake) 0.389″ (Exhaust) 0.389″.
Carburetor: Carter 4-barrel model WCFB 2532S.

Firedome Series V-8: Overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chamber. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 341.4 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.78″ x 3.80″.
Compression ratio: 9.25:1.
Horsepower: 270 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 350 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252° Exhaust 252°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.389″ (Exhaust) 0.389″.
Carburetor: Ball & Ball Two-barrel model BBD-2522S.

Fireflite  V-8: Overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chamber. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 341.4 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.78″ x 3.80″.
Compression ratio: 9.25:1.
Horsepower: 295 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 390 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252° Exhaust 252°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.389″ (Exhaust) 0.389″.
Carburetor: Carter WCFB four-barrel model 2588S.
Exhaust: Dual exhaust optional.

Adventurer V-8: Overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chamber. Five main bearings. Engine featured enlarged valve ports, high-lift camshaft, larger diameter valves and stiffer valve springs. Modified slipper pistons, heavy-duty connecting rods and shot-peened crankshaft.
Displacement: 345.0 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.80″ x 3.80″.
Compression ratio: 9.25:1.
Horsepower: 345 at 5200 RPM.
Torque: 355 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 280° Exhaust 270°, Overlap 60°, Lift (Intake) 0.430″ (Exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetion: Carter dual four-barrel WCFB Carburetors, front model 2365S, rear model 2636S.
Exhaust: Dual standard.

NOTE: Optional high strength valve springs were offered (88 lbs. closed, 188 lbs. open) to permit high RPM operation at sustained speeds.