1952 DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe Dimensions, Size & Specs

The 1952 DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe offers a ground clearance of 229 mm (9 inches). This ride height is fairly generous for a coupe of its era, allowing the vehicle to manage typical road conditions in the early 1950s with ease. It contributes to a comfortable ride, providing adequate clearance from road obstacles without compromising stability.

The 1952 DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe, at 5293 mm (about 17 feet 4 inches) long and 1902 mm (approximately 6 feet 3 inches) wide, typically fits comfortably in a standard single-car garage. Standard garages usually measure about 6 meters (20 feet) deep and 3 meters (10 feet) wide, so this coupe's dimensions are well within those limits, allowing room for door opening and maneuvering.

The width of the 1952 DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe is 1902 mm (74.8 inches), which is quite generous for a two-door coupe of its time. This wider body enhances shoulder room and overall cabin spaciousness, contributing to passenger comfort, especially for front and rear seating areas. It reflects the design focus on comfort and a roomy feel inside the car typical for American vehicles of the era.

With a height of 1667 mm (65.6 inches), the DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe offers a reasonably tall profile for a coupe. This height supports good headroom for passengers, providing comfort without making the car excessively tall or boxy. It strikes a balance between an aerodynamic silhouette and practical interior space.

The 1952 Firedome I Sportsman Coupe showed a refinement over earlier DeSoto models with slightly larger exterior dimensions. It was longer and wider than many predecessors, providing a more spacious interior and updated styling cues. This expansion reflected a growing consumer preference for larger, more luxurious automobiles in the early 1950s, positioning the Firedome I as a premium offering in DeSoto's lineup.

Compared to other early 1950s American coupes from brands like Chrysler, Dodge, or Buick, the 1952 DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe sits comfortably within the typical size range. For instance, its length of 5293 mm (208.5 inches) and width of 1902 mm (74.8 inches) make it slightly larger than many competitors, offering more interior space and road presence. Its dimensions favored style and comfort, aligning well with the era's trend toward bigger, more elegant vehicles.

The 1952 DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe features classic early 1950s American styling with clean lines, a bold front grille, and smooth, rounded contours. The Sportsman Coupe trim was intended to be sportier, featuring a sleek roofline and two-door layout that emphasized a dynamic and upscale appearance. Chrome accents and a distinctive hood ornament added to its premium feel, reflecting the luxury focus of the Firedome series.

The 1952 DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe was powered by the Firedome HEMI V8 engine, a performance highlight of the model with its hemispherical combustion chambers enabling better airflow and greater power output compared to many straight-six or flathead engines of the time. The V8 provided strong acceleration and smooth power delivery, delivering excellent performance for a luxury coupe in the early 1950s.

While detailed weight and fuel capacity specifics can vary by trim and market, the 1952 DeSoto Firedome I Sportsman Coupe generally weighed around 1850 to 2000 kg (approximately 4,078 to 4,409 lbs). This substantial weight gave the car a solid and stable ride quality. Fuel capacity typically ranged around 70 liters (about 18.5 gallons), enabling a substantial driving range appropriate for a luxury coupe designed for both city and highway cruising.