I'm looking at a 1960 desoto fireflight 4 door, in pretty good original shape. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these? it has a 361 with push button automatic. Cheers VT
All you could ever want to know can be found here. A friend of mine is into these Desoto's and here is where they all hang out.... It is a good site.... http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/category-view.asp
Get ahold of Imperial252 here on the HAMB. He is my nieghbor and has that same car. he has a ton of info about it. Give him a PM. Wicked Tin
FlyingTerrier, though my love is the '55 - '57 models, I say the ADVANTAGE of the '60 you're looking at mainly revolves around RARITY. You say it is in nice shape -- a plus. Fireflite -- a plus. Being one of the FINAL years, this DeSoto should get second looks at shows and cruises. Downsides? The '61 is much, much rarer. No Hemis after '57. The facts seem to show that the last true DeSotos ended with the '59 model year; for the final two model years, DeSotos rolled off the DODGE assembly lines and consisted mostly of Dodge components. But "net," I think the pros outweigh the cons, so long as you don't have to spend a mint to get it.
The '60 DeSotos are basically the same car as the short wheelbase '60 Chrysler Windsors. There were only the Fireflite and Adventurer models in '60 with minor differences in trim between the two. The 'Flite came with the 361 "LB" (low block wedge head) V8 and the Adventurer came with the 383 "RB" (raised block wedge head) V8. Long ram induction only optional on the 383. The 361 made 295HP with its 2bbl carb so it is no slouch! This is the first year of unibody construction across all models (except Imperial) at Chrysler Corporation and there weren't really any problems with the transition to it except they changed the trunk rear lip drains for a rust problem for '61. The mechanics of the torsion bar front suspension were worked out from back in '57. The 8.75 rear end started in '57 too but is a tapered axle shaft as far as brake drum removal up through '64. Differentials interchange many years forward. The pushbutton torqueflite stayed through '64 too. The E-brake is on the back of the cast iron torqueflites. Chrysler went to aluminum torqueflites in '62. The '60 DeSoto still has a reasonable number of parts car sources around (now this ain't no Ford or Chebby!) and '60 Chrysler and DeSoto are both considered quite beautiful cars in the hobby. Hardest part to get for the whole car has been tail light lenses with the 3 chrome chevrons on them and there are now quality reproductions in both Australia and Sweden. '57-'60 Mopars all came with 14" wheels from the factory. You may want to upgrade from that. Disc brake conversions for front and rear are available from a couple of companies and are the most likely upgrade, after a 4bbl intake, that you will want /need to do to really enjoy this car. There is an interchange for KYB shocks front and rear that makes these cars handle. If its a good old car to begin with, it won't disappoint you and you will NOT see yourself coming and going at cruise nights or on the highway!!! Post a pic when you have it. The factory built only 2drs and 4drs but a hobbyist built a DeSoto convertible using a '60 Chry Windsor as a base and it looks like THIS:
Desoto's were great cars, they disappeared too soon and you don't see a lot of them. If it's in decent shape, go for it, it's fairly rare.
Well Thanks guys, But The guy sold it last night right out from under me I had cash in hand and he did not even have the nerve to call me to tell me it's sold, and that we could not meet today.
That shit-head. Here, you're doing your research, getting your $$$ together, and he didn't even give YOU credit for being first in line? Give me his address & I'll go over & put sugar in his gas tank.
Don't give up ! The 60's do pop up for sale and if you do not mind a four door they are available. Watch for rust out in floors, trunk fenders, rockers - let's face it - everywhere. Definitely go over to forwardlook.net for great source of info as well as classifieds that cater to 1955-1961 Mopars. I grew up riding in a maroon and white 60 DeSoto that my dad bought new. We kept it until 1972 when the gas tank fell out of the hole in the trunk. Our neighbor bought the car and took apart the 383 engine that had 110k miles on it to discover that it was still in tolerance and did not need any sort of rebuild! These are beautiful flowing cars that really turn heads because you just don't see them anymore. Most people under 40 probably don't even know a car named DeSoto ever existed. Keep the hope alive and happy searching.
There is a nice, solid, blue '60 4dr for sale on ForwardLook.net right now. It's in Canada. http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=28323&posts=1&start=1 This one's pretty nice, and it's an RB-383 Adventurer too. Re-read StillOutThere's post for information, that pretty well sums it up.
jimi'shemi291<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_4599047", true); </SCRIPT> Thanks!, I was first inline, I wasn't even going to try to get him down on the price. I figured he was asking $1450. for a all original car that ran. Pretty good deal. Wow that Canada desoto is really nice, looks the same just a lil more shine. Thanks guys, i'm not giving up. I'll find a car one day
TERRIOR...i know their from chryslers stabel of finest built cars in the 50s. and the desoto parts are hard to find and expersive. but man what a great car, if you have the bucks you'll love that old boy! those hemi's are the best engines in america. in my view...POP.
Terrier, I am certainly GLAD GotGas & Big BlockMopar steered you to another '60 DeS right away (the '61s are very rare in good shape). HoleShot is ALSO right: By today's standars, the last DeSotos were extremely well-engineered and built cars -- often loaded with extras. I love the '55 & '56 Des, GotGas loves the '57. If YOU have fallen for the final series, YOU COULD DO FAR WORSE. DeSotos have gotten rare, and I think MOST car guys expect them to go higher as time goes on. SO, if you can get a good one & keep it indoors, you'll probably be glad in the long run. In the short run, you can just HAVE FUN with it! Also, UNLIKE the Hemi DeSotos, the last two years share more parts with other Mopars!!!!!!!!
Ok, If I can't find another first love Desoto fireflite, next best thing? A New Yorker? Isn't that a cousin?
Below is my '60 NewYorker. Same model as the Desoto with small differences. I bought the car 3 years ago for $2800,-. NewYorkers are the luxury models of Chrysler. Usually come with a lot of things standard. Mine's got Remote mirror, Air, power windows, power seat, power steering, power brakes and plenty of power under the hood
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