Imagine you’re walking or driving down an unfamiliar street, and you see this!
For sale in West Babylon, NY (shown on Craigslist); a 1961 De Soto 2-door hardtop coupe, in what is probably Surf Turquoise and Glacier White–a really stunning combination. If you ever imagined going back in time to the late ’60s/early ’70s, these photos give me that feeling: an unusual old car from the “Gorp Era” parked in someone’s driveway, worn and weathered but presumably still driveable. A memorable car you might wistfully recall, but with the realization that it’s probably long gone. But not this one! By some miracle, it survives!
The rather bizarre front-end styling with diagonal headlights is reminiscent of the ’59 Lincolns.
1961 was the last year for De Soto. But in fact, all ’61 De Sotos were built between mid-October and November 30th 1960 when the plug was prematurely pulled on this illustrious marque, which was positioned above a Dodge, but below a Chrysler. 1961 De Soto model year sales amounted to only 3,039 units (after selling 26,081 cars the year before, and roughly 117,000 in 1957!) For 1961, there were just two models: a 2-door hardtop and and 4-door hardtop. There were no model names like Fireflite or Adventurer; they were just “De Sotos”. And only 911 of the 2-doors like this one were sold, making this quite a rare car indeed!
Original upholstery appears to be beautifully intact!
Extravagant “space-age” instrument panel is very similar to the ’61 Dodge.
Under the hood: a 361 cubic inch, 265 horsepower V-8 with 2 barrel carburetor (minus the original air cleaner).
Except for some styling and trim differences, this car and a ’61 Chrysler Newport are very similar. (Did you notice the cute little kitty cat?)
A previous CC post attempts to find the last surviving 1961 De Soto ever made. For all I know this could be it, although we’d need a VIN number to determine when during the brief production run this particular example was made.
This brings up another interesting point: Did the original owners/buyers of these last-of-the-line, super-low production cars realize (or even care about) the rarity and special-ness of what they had?
1958 Packard
1957 Hudson Hornet
1955 Kaiser Manhattan
1941 Graham Hollywood
The ’61 De Soto, the ’58 Packard, the ’57 Hudson, the ’55 Kaiser, the ’41 Graham, etc.–was it “just another car” to these people, or did they realize they were driving a scarce, historical oddity? Typical owners, not having access to modern reference works, were probably unable to look up production numbers–and, not knowing (or caring) much about automotive history, such persons may not have even considered the fact that their particular car was “the last of the line.” How many people today are even aware of when the last Plymouth, Mercury, or Pontiac was made?
The selling price of $7500 seems reasonable to me, assuming there are no major rust issues or fatal mechanical problems. I predict this will sell quickly!
See also: Curbside History: The All-Too-Brief History of Diagonally Canted Headlights
CC Unicorn Hunt: The Last Cars from Packard, Edsel, and Studebaker
This could be a stunner!
Anyone realizing what this `61 DeSoto represents will JUMP on this! A friend restored a multiple award-winning 2dr. HT in copper/black roof and he loves it. These were simply too few from the start. Production ended before most even realized it, but today, MoPar fans who see this and have the mean$ will try to buy this. The interior alone (minus missing carpet) looks fantastic! Chrysler’s 361 V8 is an easy rebuild, and members of the MoPar club could help source a correct air cleaner. If only I had the money,,,,,,SMH
Your last point is interesting. To the majority of buyers and probably even many here, by the time the last Mercury, Plymouth, or Pontiac rolled off the line, those brands had worn out any goodwill they may have had with most and the last buyers were likely more drawn to fire-sale, move it out pricing than anything else, I can’t imagine someone deciding they had to have the “last Plymouth Voyager” or whatever Plymouth’s last car actually way because of that “status”, same with Mercury and Pontiac really. Gotta get me the last Grand Am, oh boy! But maybe in 40 years we’ll be looking at driveway shots of a light gold 2011 Mercury Milan with a rusty front fender and an OBD scanner on the front seat and waxing nostalgic for it thinking that $25,000 looks like a good price to relive the glorious beginnings of the 21st century. (I did have to look up the last year for Mercury, by the way, you’re right, along with what the ending line-up consisted of).
Was it the same with DeSoto, Hudson, Kaiser, and Graham? Were the last cars just the end and sold on price rather than “your last chance for something really special that may be celebrated 50,60,70 years down the road”? Rare doesn’t always mean desirable, then or now.
My thought about “the last” of soon-to-be-discontinued nameplates back then was that loyal buyers who were ready for a new car went to see their longtime salesman at the dealer where they had been buying for years. Most were more loyal to the salesman or dealership than they were to the brand of car, and if Bob the salesman said it was a good deal, then they bought it. But they were probably not too pleased if they bought before THE END was announced for the brand.
I knew people like this in the 90s-00s – the owner of the northside Chry-Ply dealership in my city was the patriarch of a big Catholic family and was very generous to some of the local parishes. More than one person I knew cared more about buying a car from Tom O’Bryan than they did about what Tom was selling.
Thanks, I hadn’t really considered the loyalty to the salesperson, that’s a very valid point and I suppose underscores that people aren’t necessarily buying the car for its own merits, it’s just the result of the relationship and could have been any other car after all.
Yeah, you’d be annoyed if the brand orphaned soon after purchase and your good buddy the salesman hadn’t clued you in… 🙂 Or maybe not, I’m guessing some people didn’t even know for years afterward if their new car was just “the blue car” or whatever to them as long as the dealership could still service it.
I currently have a beautiful low mileage 2007 Town Car Signature Limited that I will never let go. Frequently get compliments and offers to buy, including many from dealership. 70s and 80s Town Cars, RWD FLEETWOODS, and GRAND MARQUIS are already selling at astronomical prices. They don’t make anything like this anymore and never will again! Thank God, at my age, I hope to never see enthusiasm for a vintage van or SUV! 🤮 😎
“I hope to never see enthusiasm for a vintage van”
Too late Rick, because three generations of VW Transporters.
Can’t say I’m surprised 🤷. Guess everyone has different tastes! Have felt out of step for several years. This OLD Dog 🐕 keeps thinking as for vehicles 🎵 Those 🎶WERE 🎵the 🎵 DAYS!
Town Cars and Grand Marquis are a dime a dozen in every junkyard, generally worthless even for examples without damage, and last week I saw two 1980s Fleetwoods junked. 1960s VW vans routinely sell for 6 figures, 1990s VW vans routinely sell for close to mid-5 figures, and for Grand Wagoneers and old Ford Broncos the sky’s the limit.
Sure wish I could find an 80s Fleetwood in decent shape for those prices. Every one I find is $18,000 or more. Guess we all have our own tastes, but this OLD Dog 🐕 wouldn’t give my two cents for any VW ,van, truck,or SUV.
WOW! It’s Delightful, 🎵 it’s Delovely, 🎵 it’s 🎶 the last of DeSoto. Learned to drive on a55 Black DeSoto and have loved them from 55 through final 61s. To me the 61s were the best looking DeSotos ever. With 61 Imperial LEBARON, my ultimate dream cars. Parents passed up chance to buy the last new 61 DeSoto in the area. 😔. Years later I found a rough 61 at a closed (permanently) Chrysler Plymouth agency in a small town, passing through. Attempts to contact were unsuccessful. Next time I went back, the car was gone. Never understood why Chrysler even introduced 61 DeSoto, only to drop it on November 22. Chrysler moving down market with Newport was final nail in the coffin for DeSoto. At least DeSoto did not suffer the terrible redesign of 62 Plymouth and Dodge. Also interesting that Dodge soon came out with Custom 880 to help remedy the situation. At least DeSoto went out with FINS soaring high as a grand finale of Exners fabulous finned fantasies.
>>At least DeSoto did not suffer the terrible redesign of 62 Plymouth and Dodge.<<
DeSotos would most likely have resembled the larger Chryslers like they did in 1961, which were tastefully redesigned in 1963. In my opinion the 62 Plymouth and Dodges were much better than their 61 designs, which were just horrible and the absolute Exner nadir.
When I was in college I drove an elderly Darien CT couple to their doctors in NY. They were both Columbia U graduates and had always bought DeSotos. When it came time to replace their DeSoto they were told the Chrysler Newport was the replacement, but they balked and refused.
The Darien couple bought a new Mercury Meteor instead and that was what I drove them to NY with some 15 years after their purchase. I think the Newport would have been a much better choice.
From articles I have seen, the original 62s were actually labeled as DeSoto. For whatever reason, Chrysler and Imperial were slated for changes that never made it. The proposed Imperial was a mess. Don’t recall proposed Chrysler. The DeSoto (62) had extremely awkward rear quarter styling that was referred to as chicken wing. Definitely understand the couples loyalty, MANY were angry at Chrysler for dropping DeSoto. We all have our own tastes and I respect yours. But for me, Exners final finned fantasies were the ultimate in OTT excessive luxury and class. Chrome, fins, and monster V8s made America 🇺🇲 GREAT. And PLEASE understand I am NOT taking any political stance on current affairs!
I once read then some bits of the proposed 1962 Imperial was recycled for the 1963 Chrysler.
As the last DeSoto should we include the ones sold in overseas markets like the DeSoto Diplomat and the Valiant rebadged DeSoto Rebel from South Africa? https://www.flickr.com/photos/140658418@N03/30057286650
Actually now that you mentioned it, I believe the originally proposed 62 Imperial did have much in common with 63 Chrysler (including bullet tail lights mounted atop rear fenders).For me the 63 Chryslers also had no appeal. Only Imperial carried on more conventional look. If I recall correctly COLLECTIBLE AUTOMOBILE at one point featured a story on the proposed 62 line. Also there were RUMORS that DeSoto would return to US market as an upscale Valiant. Still glad DeSoto went out with FINS soaring high.
At first, all I saw was a car too weathered for me to care much about – mainly because of pitted chrome pieces that are all but irreplaceable. Then I saw that interior – there is nothing that gets my attention than a gorgeous original interior in a vehicle of this era. Now I really want this thing. But $7500 seems a mite high to me (or maybe my value-meter has gone askew with advancing age).
I remember one of these running around my area back in the late 80s. It was gorgeous inside and out, and a pale sea-foam green/aqua with a white roof. I can no longer remember if it was the 2 door or the 4 door, but a young guy was driving it. I hated that he lived in an apartment and kept it outside. I hated it more when one day I saw that one of the front corners got smashed. Then it went away and I have never seen it since.
Yes, I noticed the kitty cat eyeballing the DeSoto! Maybe thinking This is even better than a CAT 🐈 I 😻 LAC . 😉. Also noticed the see through speedometer. Same was used on 61 Dodge Phoenix convertible I once owned. At night illumination could be seen from outside the car. Don’t believe there were any others like it. Basically the 61 DeSoto and 61 Phoenix shared the same instrument panel! Not being 🐈 CATTY 😻, but will CAT you later!
I’m not a Mopar/DeSoto guy at all, but something about these last-year’s cars really appeals to me–and I’ll hope this car gets another devoted owner, whether or not it gets restored to like-new.
No reason to pose this studio photo other than “when will I ever have another chance?”
Wow, that looks like the old, “throw everything against the wall” and leave it that way! The finned rear end looks great, but the front looks like something from a late night sci-fi movie.
Funny, that I find the later canted headlamp, fin-less Chryslers to be quite attractive, the only successful canted light design in my eyes.
Maybe the seller just means that this is the last year of the DeSoto, not the very last car produced. I often think about getting the last year of the Coupe de Ville, referring to it as the last one, regardless of it’s actual date of manufacture.
That photo is the same as the cover of sales brochure for 61 DeSoto. When DeSoto production was announced, I sent a letter to DeSoto expressing my disappointment. Surprisingly, I received a nice letter from the company, signed by 🤔 Charles Craig 🤔who was manager of division. Also included a 61 brochure. Still have the original, but bought other copies. Now have 16 by 24 framed collage (that I made) hanging on the wall. DeSoto is long gone, but lives on as a dream for me. Also have three one eighth scale models (different colors) of 61 DeSoto.
The seller claims that it is the last DeSoto without providing any proof. It does match the known body style and color of the final DeSoto (two-door hardtop, Glacier White over Turquoise), so it could possibly be the last one made.
I’ve reached out to the seller to provide the dataplate and serial number. If the serial number is 6113135102, then we know we’ve found the last one, and the $7,500 asking price could be quite a bargain.
If this is indeed the last DeSoto produced, it would be an interesting coincidence because the last Studebaker produced a few years later was painted an almost identical color combination.
Its interior doesn’t match what you described in your article, as being teal. This black/white interior looks to be original.
I put the car up on the C Body Forum and bolded last DeSoto which should catch the attention of a few and start them off looking into it. Give it a few days to see what comments are made.
I just chatted with Dean Mullinax who I partnered with on the last DeSoto Unicorn Hunt piece. He is aware of this car and has already documented it. Alas, it is not the last DeSoto, which remains as elusive as ever.
The seller may have meant ‘last year DeSoto’ rather than actual last car built.
Mid-November 1960 clipping gets it wrong about only 2-door, but it was considered front-page news. Popular Mechanics (Jan. 1961) shows a 4-door hardtop, but alerts us that final-model-year buyers got a coupon/rebate thing—so at least the original purchasers were aware their cars were low-production, I’ll figure:
So did a collector buy it???
Soon as I saw this earlier I gave it some serious consideration, it’s only 3 hours away and FL cars are my favorite of all time, I’ve had 8 of them. But at my age I don’t think I’m up for any more restorations, and this car deserves a good one, it just won’t be by me.
I’d bet money it will go to Sweden, 4 of mine went there, they think nothing of doing a first class restoration on a car like this and they know how to do it and they appreciate these cars like no one else.
When we lived in S. PA in the early ’90s there was a white ’61 4 dr hardtop in pretty nice shape sitting behind a house that I passed by regularly for quite a few years, and you could just tell by the house and the yard knick-knacks that it was likely a quite old person’s home. I always meant to stop by, but one day there was an auction sign out front and the car was gone. Sigh.
Totally understand. At my age, I consider myself a vintage Rolls Canardly. Roll down one hill and can ardly get up the next. See my posts for my love of DeSoto. Think I may have seen one or more of your DeSotos. You were fortunate to have had several. DO YOU STILL have any? Those last 61s were for me the best looking DeSotos of all time!
Because DeSoto was part of Chrysler, and the car so similar to a Chrysler, and Chrysler would be around for decades to come, I’m guessing ’61 DeSoto owners didn’t think of their cars much differently than last-year Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, or Plymouth owners. The brand may have been gone but the company was still around, and their car was very similar to surviving brands from those companies. So in other words, they didn’t regard their cars as being all that special.
It’s different for last-year Hudson or Packard buyers. Those cars not only sold in scant numbers, but were based on another company’s cars. It wouldn’t surprise me if ’58 Packard owners eventually thought of their cars as Studebakers, much the way I thought of my ’89 Mercury Tracer as a Mazda. That’s because the model I had was only sold for two years, after which Mercury Tracers became Ford Escort clones for the next decade. If I needed parts and identified my car as a Mercury at the chain-store parts counter, I often got Ford parts instead of the Mazda parts I needed. If I needed some more keys from the hardware store, they reached for the Ford key blanks instead of Mazda key blanks. After a few years I made things simpler for them by saying I owned a Mazda 323. Eventually, even *I* thought of myself as a Mazda owner, not a Mercury owner. I’m guessing it was the same for ’58 Packard owners – it was probably easier to ask for Studebaker parts and avoid the hassle of explaining why their car didn’t use Packard pards. Ditto late Hudsons, although unlike the Packardbakers some of the Nash-based Hudsons did use real Hudson engines.
I knew a women who drove a Saab 9-2X and went through the same thing – she thought of her car as a misbranded Subaru, though she liked it anyway.
This was my response as well… sort of. There are always car shoppers who value the screaming deal over anything else (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse).
I suspect the last of the DeSoto cars were sold off at Dodge prices, or maybe even Plymouth prices. And I seem to recall that DeSoto dealers were often paired with other Chrysler Corporation marques, so owners could go to their selling dealer for service, even though the marque was dead.
In our relatively small town, we had Chrysler Plymouth, Dodge Plymouth, and DeSoto Plymouth dealerships. DeSoto Plymouth was the smallest and owned by a friend of my dad. In the summer of 61, Parents passed up chance to buy the last new DeSoto in the area. The deal was good, but not a giveaway. Much to my disappointment, the summer of 62, they traded our 55 Firedome for a new 62 Plymouth Belvedere, one of the ugliest cars ever! But the dealership continued on for several years somehow managing to survive selling Plymouths until the owner retired.
The De Soto-specific parts (grille, tail lights) are intact, which is important on such a rare car.
Chrysler offered some sort of rebate on a new ChryCo car to people who’d bought new ’61 De Sotos–analogous to Ford’s rebate to people who’d bought new ’60 Edsels. The last Edsel rebate was redeemed a ways into the 21st century. Does anyone know when the last De Soto rebate was redeemed?
“Ultra rare” indeed? The interior is “awesome”!! (and “Yes, I did spot the kitty”!)
I suppose that can of starting fluid on the front seat is a necessary accessory.
But how strange to leave it there for the photos.
That’s a good looking car ! .
I too hope it gets the proper re$toration it needs .
-Nate
While it has that claim of being the last year for the DeSoto that is about all it has. Those cars were owned by my father’s generation and they are all dead. Their sons, 68-78 where I am, are not all that interested for one or taking on a restoration at our ages. The grandsons have no clue what these cars are and probably could care less.
Now the great grandsons are the ones to watch out for as they may think it cool. However, that seems to translate into a resto-mod of some sort. I’m seeing a lof them interested in ’60s and ’70s Ford F100/F250. Almost all are resto-modding them by getting rid of the original engine, the original front suspension, the original interior and so forth. Basically making Frankensteins. Actually trying to make their 72 ride and drive like a brand new truck with the cool old look. Imagine this DeSoto with 22′ rims to start.
You’re right but I still think it’s a neat car .
My “Christine” Plymouth was also a very good looking and driving car, I know these vintage MoPars (ALL of them) had pretty hit or miss initial quality control issues but they were different looking, very roomy inside and easy great drivers with better brakes than the other two had .
So, buy this thing and make sure the rust is handled then do a cosmetic refurbishment and stick it in an Auto Museum ~ pretty soon no one will ever believe that this was a normal size car when it was new and nothing special apart from the weird and wild styling .
-Nate
Not too long ago you couldn’t give this car away for more than a thousand bucks.So what’s changed? Seller’s attitudes. The craigslist ad is written like the seller just can’t be bothered OR only a DeSoto guy like a few on this thread will answer the ad.
You want seventy five hundred for an orphan brand with no detail about its history or condition? I was exactly the kind of car crazy young person who would have bought this in a heartbeat…and did about 70 times in fifty years, But now? Leaving aside I sound like an old crank, people have lost their perspective ( maybe me too).
You want me to take you to the dance? Show me your legs.
I AM an old crank and PROUD of it. Have had numerous vehicles that I wish I had never let go. Replacing them at current prices is out of the question. See my posts for more. New vehicles prices are WAY out there. Happily have beautiful low mileage Town Car Signature Limited that I will drive to the grave. CRANK it UP. The entire world has gone CRAZY 🤪. And PATSY CLINE sang about 🎵 it🎶 half a century ago 🎵. What ever happened to CLASS? 🤔
I’m diggin’ that car! Buy it, buy it!!! And this is one I think should be restored to it’s former glory, meaning new paint job in original colors as these are really attractive colors on the car.