1958 DeSoto Fireflite III Four-Door Sportsman (facelift 1958) Dimensions, Size & Specs

The curb weight of the 1958 DeSoto Fireflite III Four-Door Sportsman is approximately 1912 kg (4214 lbs). This relatively heavy weight contributes to a stable and smooth ride, which was commonplace for luxury full-size sedans of that era. However, the weight may result in less nimble handling and slower acceleration compared to lighter, smaller vehicles.

The ride height or ground clearance of this DeSoto model is 140 mm (5.5 inches). This moderate ground clearance is typical for sedans of the 1950s and is sufficient for most paved and moderately uneven roads. It provides enough clearance to avoid scrapes on speed bumps or minor road imperfections but is not intended for rough off-road conditions.

Standard residential garages vary, but most have widths between 2.4 m to 3.0 m (7.9 to 9.8 feet) and heights around 2.1 m to 2.4 m (7 to 8 feet). With a width of 1.989 m (6.53 feet), height of 1.45 m (4.75 feet), and length of 5.552 m (18.2 feet), the Fireflite III will comfortably fit within the width and height clearances. However, due to its long length, ensure your garage depth exceeds 5.6 m (18.4 feet) to park without issues.

The 1958 Fireflite III Four-Door Sportsman is a facelifted evolution of the earlier Fireflite generation produced from 1955 to 1957. While specific prior generation dimensions vary slightly, the 1958 model typically features increased length and refinement in styling. The updated 1958 design optimized interior space and road presence without substantially altering the core size, maintaining its full-size sedan stature with a length around 5550 mm, similar to or slightly longer than its predecessor.

At 1989 mm (78.3 inches) wide, the 1958 DeSoto Fireflite III falls within the upper range for full-size American sedans of the late 1950s. Competitors such as the 1958 Chrysler Newport or Oldsmobile 98 had widths in the range of 1970 to 2020 mm (77.5 to 79.5 inches). This width provided generous shoulder room inside and contributed to the car's classic wide stance and road presence typical of the era's luxury sedans.

The Fireflite III Four-Door Sportsman sedan offers spacious seating for six passengers, thanks to its full-size classification and wide body. The large exterior dimensions translate into ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear occupants. Its 1989 mm width enhances shoulder and hip room, making it comfortable for three passengers in both front bench seat and rear bench seat configurations, typical for 1950s American sedans.

With its length of 5552 mm (218.5 inches) and width of 1989 mm (78.3 inches), maneuvering the Fireflite III can be challenging in tight urban spaces or cramped parking lots, especially when compared to modern compact cars. Drivers would need to be cautious when navigating narrow city streets or parking garages with tight clearances. However, such dimensions were common for luxury sedans of the time and accommodated well on suburban or highway driving.

The 1958 DeSoto Fireflite III is quite comparable to contemporaries such as the Chrysler Newport and Dodge Royal in terms of dimensions and weight. For example, the 1958 Chrysler Newport is about 5715 mm (224.9 inches) long and weighs roughly 1930 kg (4255 lbs), slightly longer but similar in weight. The Fireflite III is a bit shorter but nearly as wide and heavy, positioning it firmly within the full-size luxury sedan segment of the late 1950s, offering comparable interior comfort and road presence.

The 1958 DeSoto Fireflite III was equipped with a powerful V8 engine, typically a 383 cubic inch (6.3 L) FireDome V8 that produced around 345 horsepower. It offered smooth and robust power delivery suitable for the era’s luxury performance expectations. The car focused more on comfortable cruising and road presence rather than sporty handling or high top speeds, aligning with its full-size sedan luxury market position.