by Don Kincl
Cohort Pic(k) of the Day: 1959 DeSoto
– Posted on June 1, 2020
by Don Kincl
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There’s a ‘59 DeSoto I see around our neighbourhood during the summer months that’s in much nicer shape – a little rough and the chrome is faded, but overall in pretty good shape. This one looks solid, but who knows what it looks like underneath. Those tires look like they’ve been flat for a long time.
Yes, but it at least appears to be on a solid surface of some kind and has not been able to sink into the ground. So there might be hope that it isn’t a rust sculpture in the shape of a ’59 DeSoto.
It’s got some Christine vibes for sure.
“It’s Delapidated!”
Well ofcourse it’s hairless, what on earth!
Oh!
My apologies, I misread that.
Carry on, everyone.
True art.
More please.
Just so.
Wheel rims slowly digging into the pavement. Shades of Winnie Hogg, the Mopar dealer who would let his stock rust on the lot forever rather than cut prices to clear inventory.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hugo90/5250280300/
This may have been the best looking Mopar of 1959. The longer wheelbase Chrysler-DeSoto sedans with the stainless trim around the upper doors and pillars always looked more attractive than the Plymouth/Dodge sedans, and the 59 Chrysler had some unfortunate details that detracted from it.
It is hard to believe that after this good looking car offered in a full line, DeSoto was on the verge of being flushed for good.
For the very first time, I am wondering what might have happened had Chrysler made the Valiant a DeSoto? Probably nothing good.
Good point about the greenhouse. Here is a Dodge Coronet, spotted near my house three years ago. Not only is the painted greenhouse decidedly less elegant, the fins are not as well integrated as on the DeSoto.
Let’s see if it attaches this time…
Yes, I became well acquainted with the painted upper doors/pillars when I had a 59 Plymouth Fury sedan. I am not sure but I think the larger cars may have had longer rear doors and a slightly longer roof curvature. Whether there was an actual difference or it was just in the trimming, the larger cars looked more upscale (as they should have).
Hard to know, but if the Valiant had been badged “DeSoto Valiant” or continuing using the Firedome,Fireflite, Adventurer nameplates for the Valiant. It might had gived DeSoto another decade or two to survive.
Meanwhile, I spotted some photos of a 1959 export DeSoto Diplomat made by Dinky Toys. http://www.philseed.com/desoto59.html
“This may have been the best looking Mopar of 1959.”
I agree and in fact would say it might well be the best looking U.S. car of 1959. While not perfect, this DeSoto got more of the details right than most of the Class of ’59, and that six-window profile, along with sweeping side trim integrated with the fins are two of its best features.
1969 was the summer of love and Woodstock. John “borrowed” his parents 59 Desoto to attend. He still hopes that someday he’ll remember where he parked the darn thing.
They told him not to take the brown acid that was going around.
Maybe the hemi can be saved! Great engine in a cool looking vehicle. Thanks for the post.
Sorry, but no hemi in the 59. 361 and 383 only – and I think the 383 was the oddball RB block version that only lasted for a couple of years.
Whenever I see a well-worn, Forward Look Desoto, I think of southern rednecks in movies like In the Heat of the Night and Mississippi Burning.
Looking at this in conjunction with yesterday’s ’61 Chevy Earl/Exner theme. Is this where GM got the side shape for the ’61? Pull in the fin by a few inches and it’s the same shape.
I have been watching episodes of ‘Peter Gunn’ on Roku. I am on the first season, and his ride is a hardtop DeSoto. Almost all other cars are Mopars.
I’ve always loved every DeSoto. But the last one was a 1962 Adventurer, 58 years ago. Can they be serviced? Are parts available? Are there any for sale in Ohio?
James, the last DeSotos were the 1961 model year in the USA. They did however continue on with the name in other countries such as South Africa, etc and even in Turkey where trucks kept the DeSoto name going long after the local Chrysler business was sold.
However, the is a great DeSoto owners club with super support, so I would check there first. Also, there seems to be many DeSotos exported from the USA to other countries by collectors there.
Best wishes and happy motoring.
59-60 GM cars had a similar six window sedan, but it didnt look as good. Olds, IMO is the equivalent to DeSoto in the Sloan ladder. Only the top 98 model had bright trim around the side windows.
It is remarkable how quickly that 1957 Forward Look aged. By this year, it was definitely the “WTF” Look.
Considering where DeSoto was in sales and its future – this photo is perfect.