This 1956 DeSoto Fireflite convertible is one of 1,485 convertibles built for the model year and is be one of fewer than 426 Pacesetter examples produced in the style of the Fireflite pace car used at that year’s Indianapolis 500. The car is finished in white and gold over gold upholstery, and power comes from a 330ci Hemi V8 with a Carter four-barrel carburetor paired with a push-button two-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes power-assisted drum brakes, power steering, a power-operated tan soft top, power windows, a powered front bench seat, a Benrus DeSotomatic steering-wheel-hub clock, a Highway Hi-Fi under-dash record player, and an AM radio.
The 330ci Hemi V8 was factory rated at 255 horsepower and features five main bearings and a Carter four-barrel carburetor. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a PowerFlite push-button two-speed automatic transmission. AACA Senior National First Prize and Senior Grand National Prize plaques are mounted under the hood.
On January 11, 1956, DeSoto announced that its restyled-for-1956 Fireflite convertible would be the pace car at that year’s Indianapolis 500 and that a limited run of replicas, dubbed the Pacesetter, would be made available to the public. This example was repainted white with gold-colored accents. Equipment includes chrome bumpers, fins running from the rear of the doors to the taillights, dual retractable antennas, a power-operated tan soft top, dual fender-mounted mirrors, and a hood ornament.
The steel wheels wear gold DeSoto-branded covers and 7.50–15 BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall bias-ply tires. The Fireflite rides on a 126″ wheelbase and features power-assisted steering as well as a coil-sprung independent front suspension and a live rear axle with leaf springs. Braking is provided by power-assisted 12″ drums at all four corners.
The cabin features bench seats trimmed in gold upholstery with brown patterned cloth accents. Color-matched door panels are fitted, while black-and-white carpeting lines the floors. Additional appointments include power-operated windows and a front bench seat, a locking glovebox, a Highway Hi-Fi under-dash record player, and an AM radio.
The two-tone steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and a Benrus DeSotomatic hub-mounted clock, and it frames a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for amperage, fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature.
The five-digit odometer shows 89k miles, total mileage is unknown.
