– 1957 marked the first year of the “Forward Look”
– Torsion-Aire front suspension debuts
– TorqueFlite® 3-speed automatic transmission arrives
For the 1957 model year, Chrysler Corporation dove headfirst into the “fin wars” with a bold new lineup – Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge and De Soto – all featuring fresh styling and advanced engineering. With the exception of the top-tier Imperial, every Chrysler model wore The Forward Look, a revolutionary design language crafted by Virgil Exner. Sleek, upswept tail fins, dramatically lower profiles, 40% more glass area, and an overall sense of motion redefined the American car.
The angular, futuristic styling made competitors’ cars look instantly outdated. So impactful was the design that Exner and his team were awarded the Industrial Designers’ Institute’s Gold Medal in June of that year.
Chrysler’s mechanical innovations for ’57 were just as ambitious. A new “Torsion-Aire Ride” suspension system replaced the traditional coil springs with a rubber-isolated, ball-joint torsion bar setup, reducing front-end dive and improving ride quality. Oriflow shock absorbers were fitted at all four corners, while semi-elliptic rear leaf springs featured an “anti-wrap” design with a forward-mounted axle for better control. Also debuting was the TorqueFlite, a smooth-shifting three-speed automatic transmission that further elevated the driving experience.
Meanwhile, De Soto’s marketing team had a clever strategy of their own. Enter the Firesweep – a new line of so-called “junior” De Sotos aimed squarely at the medium-price market. Built on the shorter 122-inch Dodge chassis, the Firesweep offered a more affordable entry point without cannibalizing sales from De Soto’s upscale Firedome, Fireflite and Adventurer models. It was a conquest car designed to win over buyers from other brands – without stepping on its own toes.
DODGE FLAVOR UP FRONT
These Firesweep models were a bit odd as they were created by using a crossbreeding of parts from Dodge and De Soto. The front end consisted of a De Soto bumper mated to Dodge fenders and hood, creating an unusual look that differed from standard De Sotos. The prominent overhanging “brow” over the headlights had “Dodge” flavor but the massive bumper (which housed a lower grille for engine cooling) featured the De Soto theme.
The rolling chassis (separate frame, unibody didn’t appear on Chrysler cars for three more years) was sourced from Dodge and featured the shorter 122-inch wheelbase, as compared to the larger, standard De Soto 126-inch version.
DETAILS
This pictured Tamarack Green and White 1957 De Soto Firesweep Shopper Wagon is an original, un-restored Arizona vehicle with only 52,500 miles on it and a car that had never been subjected to crashes or rust.
FULL WHEEL COVERS
Options on the classic wagon include the TorqueFlite transmission (Firesweep models came standard with the 2-speed PowerFlite automatic), power brakes, power steering, 8.00 x 14 whitewalls, radio and clock. Base price was $3,169.00 and shipping weight was 3,965 pounds. It’s a rare machine, only 2,270 were produced.
DESERT CAR
The low-mileage wagon was found in Arizona and is completely rust-free, top to bottom.
BROCHURE
Firesweep station wagon illustrations were of the lower-cost Shopper models.
CARGO AREA
6-passenger “Shopper” versions had the standard station wagon floor, which provided ample cargo space when the rear seat is folded down flat, flush with the floor.
POLY POWER
Author: James Maxwell
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