I’ve been attending car shows for fifty years and I’ve yet to see a 1961 DeSoto up close and personal. Have you? Only 3,034 were made (911 2-Door Hardtops, 2,123 4-Door Hardtops) before the Chrysler Corporation pulled the plug and ceased DeSoto production on November 30, 1960. What a sad ending to a 32-year-old brand. Instead of cool model names like Firedome, Fireflite, and Adventurer, the 1961 DeSotos were nameless and only came in 2-door and 4-door hardtop models with one engine choice. Well, rare car fans, here’s one of those 911 2-Door Hardtop models produced that has survived and it’s in outstanding condition inside and out.
The seller doesn’t share much background information or history about this 63-year-old rare car. It’s called California home for most of its life, won a DeSoto Club Award back in the 1970’s, was painted and put into dry storage for 30 years, and claims to be “a real Barn Find.” The seller thinks the 19,085 miles on the odometer might be correct and that it could be wearing its original interior which, based on the photos, is in very good condition. I’m not spotting any major flaws with the DeSoto’s exterior. I’m assuming the repaint was to the factory original (a Goldenrod Yellow was offered for the ’61 model year), and all of the chrome, glass, trim, and attractive wheel covers look good. Although its design is based on the Chrysler 300G with its stacked, angled headlamps, the DeSoto design team added an unusual-looking upper second grille into the hood that featured “DeSoto” lettering. It also features the wild, angled fins on the rear deck that would not be continued onto the 1962 Chrysler 300H.
To me, the DeSoto’s interior – especially that space-age looking instrument panel, speedometer, and four-spoke deluxe steering wheel – is the real star of this car. Just look at all of the visual overload going on here with the jet cockpit-inspired buttons, chrome, and other design cues. Wow.
I’m not spotting much wear on the interior and in addition to power steering, power brakes, and a push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission, this rare car is made even rarer by its Factory A/C. The seller claims that it works and blows out “44 degree factory ice-cold air.” There’s even an Airtemp Air Conditioning decal on the rear glass.
Under the hood is a clean engine bay holding the DeSoto’s original 361-cubic inch V8 engine. There’s 19,085 miles showing on the odometer. It’s now calling Murfreesboro, Tennessee home and this rare 2-door hardtop is for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $37,500. The seller says the car has new tires, is road-ready, and can be taken from their house to a cruise-in or car show. One thing for sure: the next owner would most likely be the only one there showing off a 1961 DeSoto. So, what do you think?
Asking a lot of cash but it’s a beaut!!
Fun write-up Ron. I have no desire to own it, but it sure is interesting to take it all in. Plenty of late 50’s-early 60’s excess to look at; “visual overload,” as you note. Like those “wings” on the pushbutton pods, and the over-styled steering wheel. The designers and stylists in this time period must have had lots of freedom and surely enjoyed their jobs.
Thanks, Bob. The instrument panel and chromed two-toned steering wheel are museum worthy in my opinion. Can you imagine driving that DeSoto and seeing all of that visual splendor every time you got in and started it up? What a rush. I bet it really looks cool at night…
The most amazing part of the dash mounted see through speedometer. At night it has a luminescent glow visible from both sides. Our family had a 60 Dodge Phoenix convertible with the same.
It’d be one helluva ride to take on a road trip down Route 66 in a couple of years. 100th anniversary. it’d turn a lot of heads for sure!
Craigslist post is already deleted after 26 minutes.
Not surprised this 🎵 Delightful 🎶 Delovely 🎵 DeSoto 🎶 sold so quickly. In that condition, considering so few survive the price makes it a definite Bon Marche! In the summer of 61, my parents passed up the last 61 DeSoto much to my disappointment. The following year they traded our 55 DeSoto for a 62 Plymouth Belvedere! 🤮 IMO one of the ugliest cars ever built!
BF: “Although its design is based on the Chrysler 300G with its stacked, angled headlamps,…”
How so? All the ’61 Chryslers had the canted headlamps, not just the 300G, and the DeSoto was built on the shorter-wheelbase Chrysler Windsor bodyshell not the New Yorker/300 shell (though stylistically they are the same). The dashboard is ’61 Dodge, with some minor detail changes. The steering wheel is also ’61 Dodge with a different horn ring and extra chrome. Clearly Chrysler wasn’t doing/spending much to differentiate the DeSoto from the Windsor.
The ’60 DeSoto did a better job aesthetically with the Windsor bodyshell (and you could still get a 383 that year), but the ’61 is certainly unique.
It’s as if the designers made the last DeSoto so ugly that nobody would miss it when it was gone.
Think so? Maybe, but this car typifies exactly what was going on in the early 60s. It was a flamboyant time when everything had a glamorous look, from toasters to vacuum cleaners. Unusual was in, and this car was certainly unusual looking. Even though this was the last gasp for the make, Chrysler throwing everything they had into it, DeSoto lived on well through the 60s as viable used cars. My 1st memory of any car was the old mans ’59 DeSoto. I feel the DeSoto was kind of Chryslers “Edsel”, as there were plenty of just as nice Chryslers to be had without DeSoto. And some have the nerve to say Rambler/AMC was a bit out there.
Agree. This only rivals the last of the StudePackards and might be the cause of Desoto’s demise or at least the last nail in the coffin.
I wouldn’t turn this `61 down, and it’s in a rather unusual color I don’t recognize offhand from the color palette. Solid, decent chrome and it doesn’t appear to be missing any trim! A friend restored one in copper/black top back in IL., and it’s a show stopper. `61 New Yorkers this complete & solid are non-existent today, and this DeSoto makes a beautiful second choice.
To CC…Beauty IS in the eye of the Beholder. My ultimate dream cars are this last DeSoto and 61 Imperial LEBARON. Devine Decadence with OTT excessively chromed luxury. For me TOO MUCH is NEVER ENOUGH. These were the GRAND FINALE for Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler. Isn’t it great that we can STILL have our own opinions and respect others?
Methinks the designers had too much Schnapps. Everyone is right though; it’s a car you could never forget.
Not sure about the booze, but one thing was clear, the higher ups told the designers to go nuts, and this was the result. Can you imagine the designs that didn’t make it?
Remamber this well, my team was headed to Bay of pigs laffing!
From the front wheels back, it’s good for the period — but that front is a face only a mother could love.
LOL 😉 THIS MOTHER….Loves that Continental Face 🤣 👍. See my other posts on this last of the BREED!
Other than a 1965 Ford Galaxie, this cars battering ram front end is perfect in case you hit a deer on the highway. It would prevent the deer from sliding into your windshield if it wasn’t leaping up in the air. I was a passenger in a ’65 Ford when we hit a deer, and it stayed on the front grill until the car came to a stop. Luckily we were wearing our seat belts.
In 1969 we drove to Minneapolis in my friends coral 1961 Chrysler Newport sedan. I thought the front end was cool, but those fins weren’t back then.
“it still hasn’t gotten weird enough for me”. HST
I love Exners designs for the late 50s early 60s. “The Forward Look” The canted headlights (Ala 1958 thru 1960 Lincoln) but those bumpers were something to behold. The way they swooped up at the sides. And massive! Canted rear fins were novel.
But the biggest excitement was the interior. They were so space age/futuristic. Push button automatic transmission controls. Full circle, were back to push button trans controls (2024)
Even the wheel wells were sexy.
That upper grill is odd, but after awhile it’s pretty cool.
The closest I’ll ever get to this kind of car is a 1/18 scale die-cast
Somebody got the deal of a life time.
I agree with Rick W. These will sure get me drooling. I saw one of these back in the early nineties at a DeSoto club show. I was a member then with a 50 and 55. Good times. I was predisposed to DeSotos mainly because they were the car of choice for my grandfather and two of my uncles. Dad was a Chevy man. Funny how their choices of vehicles reflected their personalities. Dad was conservative and unassuming. Granddad was conservative and frugal and still drove his’48 DeSoto sedan. About as conservative as KT Keller himself. My uncles were rather flamboyant. To this day I still remember my Uncle George taking us for a ride out in the country on a beautiful fall day in his sixty something DeSoto convertible. My dad and aunt up front and Mom, me and my little brother in the back. Twelve year old me was absolutely fascinated with the dashboard and steering wheel and the dash mounted rear view mirror. I could see myself in it if I sat up near the back of the front seat. Funny what you remember.
That dash and LSD. Some things are just made for each other.
This 61 Desoto 2 Dr Hardtop is definitely not something you see very often, and not surprised it’s already sold. The jet age inspired fins and instrument panel and steering wheel are over the top, and just enough. Where will you find another one in this condition, with all its options working? Just a beauty.
Christine’s younger, more luxurious sister.
Hey Carbob…I learned to drive on a 55 Black Firedome, purchased by my parents in fall of 59, fresh from service as a family car at a local funeral home. For me, DeSoto was the best of Chrysler Corp line up. As mentioned in a previous post, they passed up on a new 61 DeSoto in summer of 61 only to buy that butt ugly 62 Belvedere. To make things worse, the dealer offered to sell the 55 back for $800 suggesting it would be a good car for me (I just turned 16).But no dice! 😔 We already were a 2 car family. The instrument panel on the 55 was IMO one of the most beautiful ever. For many years, I too was a member of the National DeSoto Club. The last convention I attended was around 1992 🤔. As to converts, the last DeSoto convert was built for 59. Parents also passed on a white 59 ADVENTURER. Guess I didn’t say the secret word. Even Groucho wasn’t able to send them down for another DeSoto 😕. But great minds still Drive these Delightful, Delovely, DeSotos, if only in our dreams.
I KNOW I commented on this DeSoto, but have yet to see it!
Bugs!
Please debug the system
Hi Angel 😇 👋. I figured you’d be adding your thoughts on this last of the DeSotos. IM (not so humble 😉) O. This is a very special LAND YACHT as noted in my other posts. YES! It seems the BOTS are running loose in The BARN. 🤪. Have you seen today’s 79 Continental? What a beauty! Just like you, it’s really DIVA licious! 👍 🌹
When DeSoto announced (Nov. 61) the end, I actually wrote to DeSoto Division expressing my disappointment. How’s that for a 16 year old? To my surprise, I received a letter from Manager Charles Craig with a 61 DeSoto sales brochure. I still have both among my 4 drawers of sales brochures. I also have hand created collages of 61 DeSoto and 61 Imperial hanging on my walls, as well as several others on garage walls. No crystal chandeliers out there! 😔 A less expensive way to celebrate favorites!
I would assume your garage would be neat and organized WITH at least one chandelier, but not everyone can do that. Most garages are utilitarian or just a place to store the excess.
Yes, I forgot to mention before both bathrooms have chandeliers. Even the kitchen.
As for the DeSoto, I find the design interesting. That extra upper grill is quite unusual but interesting. Without it the front looks like a ’58 through ’60 Lincoln.
I mentioned the bumpers on early 60s Chrysler products were fascinating with the ends sweeping up and canted like the headlights. The fins being canted are different also. Well, Ford had canted fins but Fords fins were always tiny.
But what’s the most impressive was Chryslers dashboards for the late 50s early 60s. So futuristic, even if that future never came true. Interesting dashboards all the way into the 70s.
Never gave Chrysler Corp much thought, but it’s definitely on my list for the future, if I live that long.
You’d BETTER live longer than I do! Who else could possibly Keep Calm ? 🤔 and Carry on GALYS? And that is the NAME of our cozy group. Definitely NOT disrespectful of 🏳️🌈. My Garage was intended to be also used for entailing, but that never materialized. The Town Car fits comfortably amid MUCH STUFF 😔 including a few things saved from storage unit! But I forgot that I actually have one gold leafed crystal chandelier hanging in the garage. Sort of Like Green Acres! 🏠 I believe Charlie Prides CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS could well be our Theme song. Seems like the story in the lyrics can definitely apply to both of us! As always, LOL! And be sure to check out today’s 79 Continental.
You’d BETTER live longer than I do! Who else could possibly Keep Calm ? 🤔 and Carry on GALYS? And that is the NAME of our cozy group. Definitely NOT disrespectful of 🏳️🌈. My Garage was intended to be also used for entertaining, but that never materialized. The Town Car fits comfortably amid MUCH STUFF 😔 including a few things saved from storage unit! But I forgot that I actually have one gold leafed crystal chandelier hanging in the garage. And both baths have them. You’re one up, my Kitchen has a ceiling fan but with some prisms. The garage is Sort of Like Green Acres! 🏠 Even OLIVAR drove a Lincoln. Thankfully Lisa’s HOTS CAKES never flew at the Lincoln, which had the windshield removed to avoid glare from studio lights. I believe Charlie Prides CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS could well be our Theme song. Seems like the story in the lyrics can definitely apply to both of us! And Josh Turner’s LORETTA LYNN’S LINCOLN frequently plays on the Lincolns CD.As always, LOL! And be sure to check out today’s 79 Continental.
If I live longer than you do I get to inherit the chandeliers? J/K
You better be around for a long time. Who am I going to talk to otherwise about land yachts and chandeliers?