Lot #346 - As DeSoto's luxury line for 1956, the Fireflite offered richly appointed interiors with a distinctive "Gullwing" styled dash and smart two tone exterior finishes delineated by remarkably restrained bright trim spears. An unusually clean front bumper and a wide grille design with twin upright bars provided a low and wide presence, while smooth front bodylines flowed into neatly restrained tailfins beginning underneath the C-pillars terminating with Fireflite's vertically-stacked tail lamps. This 1956 Fireflite Sportsman clearly benefits from a loving restoration and excellent care within a noted private collection based in Central Texas. Visually stunning and distinctively finished in Iridescent Grey and Shell Pink, it is equipped with a new wiring harness, a new and correct leather and cloth interior, Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels and period-style wide whitewall tires. Highly desirable original features include a push button AM radio, power brakes, power steering, a power-operated seat and power windows. A handsomely presented example of Virgil Exner's design legacy with a powerful and highly detailed HEMI V8 and a push button-operated automatic transmission. Documentation included: Build Sheet, letter from Chrysler Historical Society, original buyer's contract and owner's manual.