What engines were available in the 1957 Desoto?
The 1957 DeSoto, a classic American car from the Chrysler Corporation, offered a range of engine options to cater to the diverse needs of its customers. This article delves into the details of the engines available in the 1957 DeSoto, providing a comprehensive overview of the power and performance characteristics of these powertrains.
The Standard Engine: Hemi V8
The standard engine for the 1957 DeSoto was the renowned Hemi V8. This powerful engine, with its distinctive hemispherical combustion chambers, delivered impressive performance and was a hallmark of Chrysler's engineering prowess. The Hemi V8 in the 1957 DeSoto produced 345 horsepower, making it a formidable choice for those seeking a spirited driving experience.
The Optional Engines
In addition to the standard Hemi V8, the 1957 DeSoto offered two optional engine configurations to cater to a wider range of customer preferences:
- Poly V8: This engine, also known as the Poly-Dome V8, was a variant of the Hemi V8 with a more conventional combustion chamber design. It produced 295 horsepower, providing a balance between power and efficiency.li>
- Flathead Six: For those seeking a more economical option, the 1957 DeSoto was available with a Flathead Six engine. This inline six-cylinder engine delivered 187 horsepower, making it a suitable choice for more budget-conscious buyers.
The availability of these engine options allowed DeSoto customers to choose the powertrain that best suited their driving needs and preferences, whether they prioritized performance, efficiency, or a balance of both.
Transmission Choices
Alongside the engine options, the 1957 DeSoto offered a variety of transmission choices to further enhance the driving experience. Customers could opt for a three-speed manual transmission, a four-speed manual transmission, or the renowned PowerFlite automatic transmission, which was a two-speed automatic gearbox developed by Chrysler.p>
The diverse engine and transmission offerings in the 1957 DeSoto allowed the car to cater to a wide range of customer preferences, from the performance-oriented enthusiast to the more budget-conscious buyer. This flexibility contributed to the DeSoto's popularity and enduring legacy as a classic American automobile.
What was the original Hemi engine?
FirePower
First Generation Hemi (1951-1958)
Hemi knowledge gained during and post-WWII hit the street in 1951 with the production of Chrysler's first overhead-valve V-8, replacing the flat head (which had its valves in the cylinder block). The cast-iron, 331ci “FirePower” engine was rated at 180 hp.
What was the most expensive American car in 1957?
The Continental Mark II was also one of the most expensive and exclusive cars of its day, and boasted an enviable list of famous owners that included Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor. The Mark II was built for only two model years, making this 1957 example from the last year of production.
Why was the DeSoto discontinued?
Recession. The 1958 recession seriously affected demand for mid-priced automobile makes. DeSoto sales were particularly affected, and sales failed to recover in 1959 and 1960. With falling sales, the 1959 and 1960 models were very similar to the concurrent Chryslers.
What models are in the 1957 DeSoto?
To explain where today's featured 1957 DeSoto Firedome Sportsman coupe fits within the 1957 DeSoto model hierarchy, it's important to understand that by 1957 the model lineup had expanded from 1956's two models—the Firedome and Fireflite—to four—the Firesweep, Firedome, Fireflite, and Adventurer.
What engines were available in a 1957 DeSoto?
In 1957, the DeSoto Firesweep was powered by the Dodge "Poly" 325 V8 with a 2bbl Stromberg down draft carburetor. The 325 was basically a detuned polyspherical combustion chambered version of the Dodge "Red Ram" 325 Hemi. With the optional power-pack four-barrel V8, the 1957 Firesweep produced 260 hp at 4400 rpm.
Did DeSoto cars have hemi engines?
Desoto ran with the 276 Firedome Hemi V8 from 1952 to 1954, then upped the ante to 291 cubes in 1955, then 330, in 1956, 341 in 1957 (and the high performance Adventurer for 1956) and the ultimate iteration of the DeSoto Hemi, the 345 cube Firedome V8 for the 1957 Adventurer.
What is the rarest DeSoto car?
1958 DeSoto FireMite
The 1958 DeSoto FireMite was a 3/8ths scale 1958 DeSoto Fireflite officially made by Chrysler. This isn't your normal peddle car either, powered by a Briggs 6B 4 stroke engine which gave the firemite an adrenaline pumping 2 horsepower!
Why did DeSoto fail?
DeSoto's failure to adjust to changing market trends, evidenced by its lack of a new compact car model in 1960 as GM, Ford and DeSoto's siblings Dodge and Plymouth had done, also hastened its demise.
How much is a 1957 DeSoto worth?
The value of a 1957 DeSoto Adventurer can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $84,550 for a 1957 DeSoto Adventurer in good condition with average spec.
What are the specs of the DeSoto engine?
The DeSoto Firesweep polyhead V8s were introduced with a bore and stroke of 3.6875 in (94 mm) X 3.800 in (97 mm). for 325 cid. The two barrel V8 was rated at 240 hp (179 kW) while the four barrel version produced 260 hp (194 kW). The 330 cid hemi engine was replaced by a hemi which was 341 cid (5.6L) .
