In midst of the burgeoning horsepower wars and to add some “zing” to faltering sales, DeSoto added the 383 CID V-8 to the Firedome, Fireflite and Adventurer lines. The famous “383” would go on to become the street performance engine for Plymouth and Dodge in various configurations ending with the Road Runner’s base engine.

Chrysler Corporation delivered  a unique idea – “Swivel Seats” in all coupes and convertibles. We have seen ideas like this recently, but in 1959 tis was a big deal. A lever released the seat to swivel outward, allowing better entrance and egress.

In an all-out effort to boost sales – the 350 HP Adventurer engine package became available in Firesweep, Firedome and Fireflite lines. For less than $150, depending on the line, you could get outstanding performance – especially in the lighter Firesweep chassis! Muscle car? Heck Yes!

The 1959 DeSoto nose was a drastic change, not an evolution. It mirrored the Chrysler line. The fenders finish as an overhang atop the headlights. Note that the headlights are no longer inset in the fender but part of the front fascia with the parking lights in the headlight at the center of the bezel eyebrow. The grille is outside and above the bumper, which is still massive and contains two jet-like intakes. The faux hood air inlet is gone and the DeSoto emblem moves to the bumper. There is no hood ornament.

The 1959 DeSoto rear keeps the three taillights theme started in ’56 but there is no chrome bezel. The lights rake forward rather than backward. The bumper is more massive but devoid of exhaust outlets. The DeSoto emblem appears at the center of the trunk fascia, and “DESOTO” is on the right side. The license plate in now in the bumper.

The side color inset forms a “check mark” as it runs up to terminate at the fin tip. For Fireflites a circular emblem is set in the space above the “V” formed by the upward sweep of the inset. The Adventurer receives a shield that bisects the top chrome line. Firedome models and Firesweep models had no emblem. The Adventurer still had the trunk top luggage strips.

Unique trim in 1959 DeSoto Wagons and Adventurers is shown. The wagons continued with a chrome bezel around the taillights. The also retained the 1957-58 rear bumper and rear tailgate. Even Fireflite wagons had the emblem. Adventurers had gold anodized grilles and wheel covers but the same front and rear fascias as other models.

FIREDOME SERIES MS2-M (8-Cylinder wedge-head V-8): Firedome models were identified by a nameplate on the front fenders. Silver color sweep inserts were optional. Side window trim on four-door sedans was bright metal. Special appointments including plaid upholstery, padded dash and custom steering wheel were added to the Firedome standard equipment list in the spring of 1959.

Standard equipment was the same as in Firesweep models, plus: backup lights, padded dash panel, rear foam cushions, front and rear carpets, wheel covers, special steering wheel and “vari-speed” windshield wipers. The Firedome was now equipped with a 383 CID “B” Series V-8 with a 2-barrel carburetor and 305 HP.

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

FIREFLITE SERIES MS3-H (8-Cylinder wedge-head V-8): Fireflites looked like Firedome models, but were distinguished by their “Fireflite” nameplate on the front fenders and by large medallions above the dip in the side trim on the rear fenders.  This model also moved up to the 383 CID V-8, but it used a 4-barrel carburetor and 325 HP.

Standard equipment matched all found on Firedome models plus: Torqueflite transmission, front and rear bumper guards, electric clock, hand brake warning light, color-sweep molding, roof molding package, side molding package number 2, windshield washer, and 8.50 x 14 tires. Three-seat station wagons came with a power tailgate and four-ply black nylon “Captive Air” tubeless tires as regular features.

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

ADVENTURER SERIES MS3-S (8-Cylinder wedge-head V-8): Adventurer models were their own series, and cars in this line had “Adventurer” nameplates on their front fenders. Gold color sweep inserts were affixed, and the grille was also finished in gold. A narrow vertical medallion was placed at the dip in the side trim on rear fenders. Bright wheel cutout moldings were used. The two-door hardtop had simulated Scotch-grain leather finish for the roof.

Standard equipment was the same as for Fireflites, plus: power steering, power brakes, dual exhausts, dual rear radio antennas, dual outside rear view mirrors, white sidewall Rayon tires (size 8.50 x 14), brushed aluminum sweep insert, deck lid moldings; swivel front driver’s seat, and the high-performance Adventurer 383 CIDV-8 with  dual four-barrel carburetors and a longer duration camshaft.

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

Firedome V-8: Overhead valves. Wedge Cylinder Heads. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 383 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.25″ x 3.38″.
Compression ratio: 10.1:1.
Horsepower: 305 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 410 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252° Exhaust 252°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.389″ (Exhaust) 0.389″.
Carburetor: Ball and Ball 2-barrel, Model BBD 2871S.

Fireflite V-8: Overhead valves. Wedge Cylinder Heads. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 383 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.25″ x 3.38″.
Compression ratio: 10.1:1.
Horsepower: 325 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 425 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252° Exhaust 252°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.389″ (Exhaust) 0.389″.
Carburetor: Carter AFB 4-barrel Model 2794F.

Adventurer V-8: Overhead valves. Wedge Cylinder Heads. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 383 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.25″ x 3.38″.
Compression ratio: 10.1:1.
Horsepower: 350 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 425 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 260° Exhaust 260°, Overlap 42°, Lift (Intake) 0.390″ (Exhaust) 0.390″.
Carburetor: Two Carter AFB 4-barrels Front – Model 2790S; Rear – 2791S.

NOTE: This engine was available across the entire DeSoto line as an option.