When was the last time you gave a DeSoto any kind of thought? Killed off on November 13th, 1960 and ran out through 1961, DeSoto operated in a strange territory for Chrysler, sitting in the mid-upper range, similar to Oldsmobile and Mercury’s place in their family hierarchy. What was truly a strange thing about DeSoto were it’s final few years…after selling in great numbers in the mid-1950s, the economic downturn of 1958 pretty much sealed the deal for the company. The entire 1961 model run had no model name and was pretty much a Chrysler Windsor with a slightly different face and minor trim bits, so this 1960 DeSoto Fireflite could theoretically be considered one of the last “true” DeSotos made.
Except we are pretty certain that Mopar fans will have one very serious grievance to take with this particular Fireflite. In lieu of a Chrysler made V8, the very distinctive valve covers of a Chevrolet W-block will be greeting the potential buyer underhood. Yes, the valve cover says 409, but when it is written on in paint pen, we choose to take that with a grain of salt until measurements are taken. But it’s not going to matter to those who were hoping to see a 330 or 341 under the expansive hood. Should it?
We think not. Here’s our reasoning: in 2017, DeSotos of any vintage come in two main forms: perfectly restored and junk. This Fireflite falls in the rare middle, a car that looks like it can be driven around without worry. The interior is useable enough, the car looks rough but doesn’t look destroyed, and those fins are as tall as ever. So long as the engine runs, hell with it…go drive it. A car like this is meant to break the necks of those who always say, “I’m gonna do it someday…” as they commute to their cube in a Camry. You can fix the engine issue later on if you must, but you aren’t going to see a Fireflite in any similar condition anytime soon.
Craigslist Link: 1960 DeSoto Fireflite
runs and drives good? I doubt it. first thing to go is the chebby mystery motor and master cylinder. looks like a good project otherwise.
Loose the GM crap under the hood and install a 3rd gen Hemi driveline.
This is what Rock-n-Roll and true Hot Rodding are all about!!!! Run what ya brung and the hemi didnt bring enough
I happen to have a 361HP with the cast iron A488 from a 59 fireflite…..hmmmm….
Receiver hitch?? Chevy power?? Poor thing.
I was going to get rather annoyed over the Chevy swap, but somehow a W-block isn’t as bad as a Gen 1 smallblock or an LS for this particular one. Maybe because it was something built around the same time as the car and not an engine you see used too often.
It would still be even better with a first generation Hemi, though.
the dummy just lost a whole lot of value by putting that crap under the hood. Desoto’s bring good money nowadays.
As a mopar guy I’d rock it as is. if the 409 took a crap maybe something like an early hemi would go in…but who has the money for that? A W motor in a friggin Desoto…hell yeah, I’m in
Geordy must be on vacation