In 1955, DeSoto had their best year ever. On November 18, 1960, a telegram came down from Chrysler HQ: “Chrysler Corporation is discontinuing production of the 1961 DeSoto.” Twelve days later, the last of the 3,034 1961 models to be made rolled off the line and that was that. It didn’t even have a model name. Former monikers like Adventurer and Firesweep had been binned and in their place was the internal code, RS 1-L. It wasn’t that the cars were bad…no worse than any other Chrysler product of the day…but it was more about Chrysler cutting into the market share with the Newport and the lack of a compact offering from DeSoto that did the company in.
DeSotos of any year are a bit funky, even by Mopar tastes. The 1961 cars are basically Chrysler Newports with minor trim changes and the odd, two-tier grille system with the canted headlights. From the windshield back, the cars are fairly graceful. But that nose…you either love or hate it. There is no in-between. But finding one of these machines in still-serviceable order should equate a strong look. This one seems relatively unscathed: the 361 and push-button auto are intact, it’s equipped with the under-dash air conditioning that will turn the interior into a meat locker, and the body is pretty solid overall. Give the brakes a checkup and you’d be ready to drive this one wherever you wanted.
Halloween is rolling up fast, and few cars have that evil vibe like a finned Mopar with the big-block thump playing out of the pipes. Keep the ratty look until November 1st has arrived and proceed to freak out the neighborhood making slow passes down the street.
Sold quick. That patina should never be touched….it’s got just the right vibes as is.
End of the line thank God one of the ugliest cars of all time
I like it, but definitely “rare for a reason”