DeSoto was a brand of automobile made under the Chrysler halo from 1928-61. The 1960 models would be the last as a full production year since the company pulled the plug just two months after announcing the 1961 editions. This ’60 Fireflite looks to be in good condition, although the seller was planning to do a restoration. It’s time to thin the herd and this car is the odd one out. Located in Naples, Florida, we’re told this car is mechanically sound and could take you almost anywhere. It’s available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $27,500 or you can submit an offer.
The DeSoto division struggled financially through much of the 1950s and the economic recession of 1958 further dampened demand for these cars. In 1960, when Chrysler introduced unit-body construction on all its full-size automobiles, the Chrysler and DeSoto divisions were merged for cost-saving reasons. As a result, the vehicles of both divisions were hard for buyers to differentiate, and they were similarly priced. So, after selling just 26,000 DeSoto’s in 1960, Chrysler gave up on DeSoto, canceled production in November 1960.
Only two series of DeSoto cars were offered for 1960, the “entry-level” Fireflite (like a Chrysler Windsor) and the more upscale Adventurer. 55% of ’60 DeSoto’s sold were Fireflites and the 2-door hardtop offered by the seller was only of only about 3,500 made. And it’s unlikely that more than only a small percentage of these machines have survived after 62 years. This one has done so very nicely and is said to be rust-free. The white over red paint presents very well, but there must be some flaws in it as the seller was planning to send the DeSoto to the paint shop before deciding to sell it.
The interior also presents well with some scratches in the metal dashboard being the most obvious faults. This Fireflite is currently at the upholstery shop and – if the machine doesn’t sell – the owner will go forward with having the passenger compartment redone (he/she must be a real stickler). Under the hood resides a 361 cubic inch V8 which was standard fare for these DeSoto’s, and it’s paired with Chrysler’s push-button automatic transmission. We’re told it runs flawlessly.
Before the seller acquired the car, some work had already been done on it. That includes a new dual-cylinder power brake unit and the Fireflite was converted to fuel injection. More recently, new tires and brakes have been installed. We’re told there are some extra parts and they’re located in the trunk. Of all of Chrysler’s renewed automobiles for 1960, I’ve always thought that Virgil Exner’s styling cues seem to come off the best on the DeSoto. Hagerty pegs these cars at nearly $30,000 on the open market in Excellent condition, so perhaps the seller has priced this one correctly. Depends on what you find when you see it in person.
Nice car would like to see Nader the car
under he car NOT Nader
Is that a phone mount screwed to the dash?
Converted to fuel injection? We used to call a Quadrajet poor man’s fuel injection,in the off road community.
The steering wheel is incorrect. The right one has Desoto in the center
The steering wheel looks wrong. The right one has Desoto in the center
Wrong. The Adventurer steering wheel had Desoto written on it. The Fireflite had the 1959 steering wheel carried over.
Might come off as too sporty but I think it would look good with red rims…
i think what is phone mount on the dash is the rearview mirror most younger people never saw that on some cars back then
The mirror is right next to it.
Ok, a question for the ages……
If the gear selector is always on the right, in American cars,, be it on the column or floor mounted, why were pushbutton automatics always on the left, or in Edsels case the center of the steering wheel. I know someone would point that out.
Any theories?
Why?
Because they could?
Because it took advantage of space under used?
They put the push buttons in a place where kids or passengers could NOT accidentally push a button thinking it was for a radio, or heater and blow the tranny. It was kept under the drivers control, and utilized unused space as well.
OK, if he is restoring it, why is he putting fuel injection on the engine? Bendix fuel injectors were installed on a handful of Chrysler Corp. cars in the late 50s, and were discontinued before the 61 model year.They[re scarce as hen’s teeth. Is he making a restomod with an aftermarket injector?
Angel Cadillac Diva: To keep them out of reach of crumsnatchers’ paws. Before shifter quadrants were standardized as they are now, reverse was the last gear as you pulled the shift lever down (or to the right). Again, you have to realize this was before child seats and restraining rugrats, occupying mom or dad’s lap or bouncing around the front seat. The shift lever was a natural target for anklebiters to steady themselves, and when their weight landed on the lever, the car travelling 50 mph tried to shift into reverse. By the way, Packard beat Edsel to the steering wheel mounted shift buttons by two years.
The Bendix fuel injection system was actually computerized to a point. Chrysler had so much trouble with it all the cars were recalled and changed to a carburetor. Yes, finding a correct system is scarce as hens teeth. There can’t be a half a dozen people on the planet who could get it to run properly. One is Tom White in Hopkinton, MA who did it about 16 years ago on his DeSoto.
no sale.
The description called it a “nice Southern car”, and now it’s in FL. But Washington plates????