History of DeSoto & Why the Brand Was Cancelled (1928-1961) - Rise, Fall, & Death
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2020
- Today we take a look at the history of the DeSoto brand, beginning with their origin in 1929 with the DeSoto Six! They would last another 32 years until the early 1960s, when sales really crashed and Chrysler pulled the plug and discontinued the brand. They had their loyal fans and some memorable vehicles, like the Airflow, Firedome, Adventurer, and Fireflite, but ultimately there were some internal issues and things didn't work out. Watch along for details on the full history and cancellation of DeSoto!
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#DeSoto #DeSotoHistory #DeSotoCancelled #DeSotoFiredome 
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I am an old fart survivor, 76 and counting. I became interested in cars as a result of a wealthy aunt who always drove Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles and Lincolns - cars that I coveted - while my family traveled the roads in lowly Plymouths (my dad was so tight that he squeaked when he walked). Around the time she divorced her industrialist husband, she acquired a '57 or '58 (or maybe it was a '59) Desoto 4-door hardtop. It was two-tone green, and I thought it was the most gorgeous, luxurious automobile that I had ever seen. I actually washed it during one visit she made to our home, and just sitting in it was a huge adrenalin rush. Seeing that machine outfitted with power windows, an actual pushbutton radio (our lowly '53 Plymouth didn't even have a radio - Dad insisted that listening to one would distract a driver's attentiveness), and pushbutton transmission selector convinced me that her car shouted "I have arrived!" She mentioned to Mom and Dad that she was thinking of selling it for something nicer. I picked up on that, and pleaded with Dad for weeks to buy it (her price made it a virtual giveaway}. Dad didn't want anything to do with it. The power windows would most certainly kill him, and us, as a result of a short circuit from water invasion when he might accidentally drive off the bridge crossing the river running through our home town. He reasoned that he wouldn't be able to open the windows and we, unable to escape, would all drown. Yet, I have a photo of him standing next to one of his new cars, in the middle of our frozen river!! And that automatic transmission - well, he was widely known for saying that "the day I can't shift gears myself is the day I stop driving!" It's worth noting that Dad was so opposed to any change or technological advancement, that he refused for ten years to install central air conditioning in the new home he built in the early 60's. He vocally opposed change as simply an excuse for manufacturers to charge higher prices. He also objected to his perception of low gas mileage in a car with a hemi-V8 and automatic transmission - "I bet that thing won't get 10 miles to the gallon!" That, despite the fact that his 95 hp flathead-six, 3-on-the-tree Plymouth wouldn't do much better. Bless Dad's heart. He was miserably conflicted, but he meant well.
As a 16 year old teenager, my step-dad passed away and my mother gave me his car. It was a 1960 Fireflight. I love that car still to this day It made me feel special. What a great car.
Awesome! 👍
@James Ring agreed! Love De Sotos.
I had a1947 2 door coupe I bought from a friend . Flat head 6 in line , black in color , 4 speed fluid drive transmission . Had 2 shops in town that could work on it . I had a great time with that car , took it everywhere . Kind of miss it today .
Yes I did hear about it my dad had old school cars I was a little little little little youngster back then
Great car!
Grandfather had an early 50s Custom. It was like riding on the couch. The best of times
The last car my father gave my mom in Concord, NH was the 1961 DeSoto. I was only 7 but remembered the pushbutton transmission and the sound it made when you pushed the button. It was like the closing of an original Star Trek door... Pushhh then swishhhh, then clunk. The car has so much power my Mom had a hard time taking off from a stop without squeaking the tires. She was big, black, and they pulled a Holiday Rambler travel trailer. Great Memories. The gas cap was behind the License Plate.
In 1957, I was ten years old and staying the week with my grandparents in their Cocoanut Grove home. My grandfather gave his garage kept low mileage 1952 Desoto Coupe to my mom and bought a new pale yellow and cream Desoto sedan and he paid cash! It had a flat head engine and When we pulled out of the dealership, turned right, gave it some gas and spinner the rear tire. He was surprised by the power.I was in the back seat but excited and holding on the the front seat backs. My grandmother was startled said, “OK Frank let’s not be racer”. Later, I found out that although the engine was an 15 year old WW2 design but it was reliable and kept the price down. Years Later, when my grandfather didn’t need it anymore, my grandmother gave it to my mom, my mom picked up granny twice a week for shopping day and when it was raining, I drove it to high school. It was a nice looking well made car that reliable. GlennFHoward
Great story Mr Howard. I was 17 in 57 and remember De Soto as fine looking cars
I was born in 55’ but I have a 1929 Ford Coupster with a 55’ DeSoto Hemi Engine 727tf/Franklin Quick Change Rear Axle project
See see
Great story Glen!
Pictures of it????
Of all the cars my family had when I was growing up, the 1957 DeSoto FireFlight 4dr hardtop was my favorite. It was the first car we had that had power everything. My dad ordered it with optional rear seat air conditioning. There were two clear plexiglass curved vents that came out of the rear deck, and would blow cold air down your neck and back. My parents were big Chrysler fans. I guess that’s why I have owned Dodges and Rams my whole life. I’d love to own a 57 or 58 DeSoto FireFlight or Adventurer. I still think they’re one of the best looking designs ever.
I thought the '57 was the MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR I had ever, ever seen. I had a '56 Chevy Bel Air convertible, metallic mauve and white. It was quite nice, but that '57 De Soto was THE MOST!! I still look for them when watching very, very old reruns. WOW!! What a gorgeous car!
My family's 1954 Buick Special had the same forward-blowing clear plexiglass A/C vents in the rear package tray...
My Grandparents had a 1958 DeSoto Firedome that had the 361 and the car was Black and Spring Rose.Neat car.
😀😃😄
My Dad was 'thrifty' and we were lucky to have 4 wheels on any vehicle he bought.. Always the cheapest in any Chrysler/ DeSoto lineup of vehicles. lol
Love those 1950’s color combos.
Tuxedo black/Bermuda Coral is my favorite two-tone that they offered.
@@ashleyhathaway8548 Today they would be offered in black, white, and gray!
@@eronavbj Nothing depresses me more than white automobiles.
Yes! those 50's color
schemes were GREAT!
@@ashleyhathaway8548 I don't know about that,Susan summers looked good in the 57 Tbird on American graffiti
In the early 60s my father’s older sister had a DeSodo and in the few times riding in it I remember it being roomier and more ‘ finished’ then the Chevys my parents favored- plus the ‘ far out’ styling of the front was so cool looking. Thanks for a nice informative video.
DeSoto was also built in Windsor Ont. Canada. My dad has a 59 firesome sportsman model with the original, new for 1959, 383 2 barrel engine. He has had it for maybe 35 years. Still drives it almost daily from April to October. He did convert the front drum brakes to disk.
This was a well done video, many thanks.
At one time those Desotos were feared and respected.
A friend of my dad named Bob Cherry had a pilots license. There is a long, straight stretch of road east of the town of Gotham, WI. HONEST. It's state highway 14 and there is 10 miles of straight away from Lone Rock, WI heading west to Gotham. My dads friend had a Desoto with the big engine and he loved to run it wide open. That stretch of Highway 14 was a most tempting place to let that engine howl. And howl it did, right past a state trooper hiding in the trees. By the time the trooper got moving the Desoto was barely visible. It got further ahead until the trooper lost sight of it. The trooper knew it was a black and gold car so even though he didn't get the license it was a rare car in that part of the woods. Only someone with a good income would buy one. There is a nice restaurant in Gotham and Bob Cherry planned to stop there for the good home cooked meals. He had no idea there was a trooper after him. He sat down and ordered his meal before the trooper got there. The trooper went in and asked, "Who owns the Desoto out there?"
Bob waved his arm to get the troopers eye.
The trooper said, "You were going mighty fast out there let me see your pilots license".
So Bob showed it to him. LOL
The trooper blew his top, starting talking really loud, telling Bob he was going to write all kinds of tickets. He did too, seems like it was five or six. The trooper left in a huff and Bob calmly finished his meal. He personally knew all the staff and a couple of the customers. So he arranged for them to be at the court date. The trooper told his story to the judge about the reckless manner and high speed he witnessed. Then it was Bob's turn.
"Your honor, I was sitting in a restaurant eating a meal when this trooper came in and accused me of speeding and reckless driving. He was very angry but he got even louder and ruder after I showed him my license. Your honor, he asked for my pilots license so I did as he asked and that was when he got crazy angry and wrote all these extra tickets. These people in the court heard the whole thing and will testify if need be".
The judge looked at the trooper. "Did you maintain sight of the car at all times?"
"No your honor the maniac was going too fast."
Judge asked, "Did you really ask for his pilots license?"
Trooper hung his head and answered, "Yes".
Judge looked at the people in the audience who were shaking their head yes.
Judge said, "Case dismissed."
I still laugh just remembering that story. I forgot it till I saw this youtube!
When management tried to increase production by speeding up the assembly line they hurt the quality because most factories didn't have the room to add extra workers. What they should have done was add some Saturdays or go to two ten hour shifts.
I worked at the Belvidere, IL assembly plant. At one time we were building 70 Dodge Omnis per hour. But that plant had the room to add more workers. Each job was simplified so the worker had less to do but the cars went by fast. To increase floor space all bathrooms and offices were put up on stilts above the line. The joke became, "Don't sneeze or you'll miss a whole car". It only takes one year of problems to kill the trust in a vehicle. That trust may never come back no matter how hard you try. That was part of what killed the Desoto, but the recession added to the problems as well. During that recession our humble little PLymouth sat in the driveway on blocks to protect the tires. We had no money for gas so it sat. Mom and dad walked everywhere. We snared rabbits in the back yard and dug a garden with hand tools to survive. There was no work to be had for at least a whole year, almost two. So of course people didn't have the courage to buy a new car when the old one still worked.
The Desoto was a grand auto, it was well loved by most people who owned one. Now when I see one at a car show, I feel a bit of excitement just knowing someone saved it from the junk yard.
What a great series of stories. I never liked the looks of the Desoto because it looked like a poorly restyled Chrysler. Our family was a Chevy fan and the strange windshield and taillights made the Desoto uninteresting to us. Had I known more about performance at that time...if I had been older...perhaps I would have been a fan...Wow a Corvette and T-Bird killer? Wow
You’re absolutely right! Desoto’s were wonderful automobiles and it’s just another case where a car manufacturer thinks it’s time for something else , and they drop the whole line . That’s insane, just look at how another great car line , Packard, merged with Studebaker due to finance considerations, but maybe dated design was what hurt Packard , - but surely not Desoto !
Thanks for a very enjoyable posting .
Nice and thsnk you for sharing this ,,
I just have to add my vote for one of the best car stories. They always were a rare bird when I was a kid, (late 50's) hence an attention-getter.
I really enjoyed Mike's story. I used to live in Columbia County Wisconsin and it was easy to visualize this story. I used to own a 1996 Plymouth Neon ACR that I won two SCCA traveling series championships in 1999 and 2000. It was built in the Belvidere plant. I love old cars, and Desoto is one of my favorite makes. When I ordered the ACR I was asked if I wanted it to be a Dodge or a Plymouth. The only difference was the hood badge,
My Dad was the sales promotions manager for the Mid-Western Region for 11 years...he designed "prizes" for the top dealers and salesman...he was based out of the Jefferson Avenue campus...in 1959 we bought a new house in an up and coming suburb...( Lee Iacocca, (Ford) Bunky Newtson (Ford) and Rick Teague (American Motors) all lived nearby!)...Dad's "company" car that year was a super cool "Surf Green & Charcoal Grey" DeSoto FireFlite...complete with a freakin' record player under the dash...played 45 RPM singles!!!
It didn't track very well on some of the gravel roads in the neighborhood but we all thought it was the coolest car ever built...good times :) :)
As a high school student in 1955, I loved the new, revolutionary Chrysler products. The DeSoto was one of my favourites. The Asst. Manager of a supermarket I worked in on weekends and after school, was a young man who drove a navy or black 1955 DeSoto hardtop that was fabulous. When leaving after work at night, he would wheel around the parking lot and the car looked amazing! I loved the "shark tooth" grill which was one of the most beautiful ever designed. It was used in many custom cars of other brands. My favourite? The 1955 Plymouth Belvedere hardtop or ragtop...red and white !
My parents purchased a 1960 DeSoto Adventurer around 1965. A four door model with a black body and white roof, it was an amazing car both in looks and speed. I took my driver's test in it in 1971 and parallel parked it flawlessly because the distinctive tail fins always let you know where the end of your car was. The guy who administered the test was even impressed by the car. Of all the vehicles we owned, that one was the most distinctive. The one thing it lacked, however, was a parking gear. Because our driveway was sloped, Dad fashioned an angled block of wood to put behind the front tire for added safety so we didn't have to rely solely on the emergency brake (which sometimes would slip).
My dad had a 1957 Desoto Adventurer in gold and white. I was little but I remember him letting me push the buttons for the gears. And sit on his lap and steer.
I wonder if Ford was trying to copy those pushbuttons wither their new (and ridiculously failed) 1958 Edsel?
@@dougmeyer2485 thats why he named it after his son- another ridiculous failure
That car was stunning in that color combination!
When some cars were touting hemi engines in the 60's, I remember thinking, hell, my dad had a hemi in the 50's. The De Soto firedome engines.
that was a mouse-nipple hemi
BlueCollarMan My father had a 1952 Desoto Firedome V8 4 door. Was always intrigued by the odd 3 speed standard column shifter, a clutch pedal, and fully auotmatic shifting without using the clutch.
My uncle worked for DeSoto, Packard and Studebaker. He said he was starting to think he was a curse on the auto industry.
Studebaker. Another one. My dad, a WWII vet, told us to not buy them. The wheels fall off. And. ya know, we saw it
@@paulherzog9605 Nah. Studebakers were generally solid cars. My '62 GT Hawk will attest to that.
did he work for pontiac, oldsmobile, or daihatsu?
They had good cars too, hope to save a few that are kicking around my area. Look in old fields and farmyards for these cars to save.
its quite sad that the brands he worked for are all dead now.....
and they didnt even make it into the 1970s
Outstanding video
The design of the airflow, was another incredible out of the box innovation that Chrysler has always known for and way ahead of their time. Ironically, Europeans loved it and used the design in creating their vehicles from that point on. Desoto's are some of the coolest automobiles ever manufactured, and am a big fan 👍🏼 🇺🇸
Dodge never got the Airflow. Only DeSoto, Chrysler, & Imperial got it.
Judurireiirs
Wiiiiisxkkkdkk
Kk
Agree!
NOW YOU CANT TELL ONE CAR FROM ANOTHER. LOVE THE OLD CARS . THANKS FOR SHARING
My Grandfather bought a 1960 DeSoto with push button automatic transmission. He drove it for eight years and went to Chrysler brand afterward. His DeSoto had a powerful V-8 and was very comfortable. I much enjoyed this video. Thank you!
These were beautiful and innovative cars in their time. As a young boy in the 1950's, Desoto had Groucho Marx, as its main sponsor, on the hit TV show, "You bet Your Life".
My dad began his second executive career at Chrysler Corp in 1956. The first car he bought there was 1957 Dodge Royal Lancer 2dr hardtop. It had a "RedRam" V8 with a 4bbl carb (probably a Carter or Holley?). The thing had no power steering or power brakes. Dad did not "believe" in them. So it was like driving a small building with a rocket engine. It was scary fast! As a spoiled Detroit kid, I got to drive many hot Mopar cars. Late '50s DeSotos and Chrysler Newports, New Yorkers and, especially, 300s were simply amazing. These DeSotos had pushbutton torqueflite trannies and they were luxurious. Seats that swiveled out when you opened the door, stereo record players, etc. etc..And who could forget Groucho Marx raising his bushy eyebrows, pointing his ever present cigar up in the air and telling us to visit our friendly neighborhood DeSoto dealer by reminding us to say: "Tell them Groucho sent you!"
You bet your life went off the air in 1961, the same year that De Soto was discontinued. I wonder what Groucho was promoting those last couple of years? Dodge probably, as Dodge was coupled with De Soto dealership wise.
They were very classic in its Era. Our neighbor had one and it was "Class" all the way
And tell 'em Groucho sent you!
I was born in Spring of 1941. Saw it all. Thanks for the brief trip down my memory lane.
In regard to the assembly lines running faster, all I can do is quote one Jonas Grumby - "Hurried work is worried work, and a job not well done is not a well-done job."
skipper?
@@jameskroeplin3822 You are correct, James - I quote the man, the myth, the legend - Jonas Grumby, Skipper of the S.S. Minnow; therefore, it is my belief that you, sir, are one for "Gilligan's Island".
how about this- hurried work makes warranty work- if youre lucky. if not- the service advisor wants you to park your new car or truck outside so it doesn't burn the house down. dodge ram owners- arent you lucky??
Great video and information. Thanks for producing it and posting it online.
I recall a late 1950s DeSoto tv commercial where they demonstrated the cars climbing power by driving it up a steep ramp at the Rose Bowl.
We had DeSotos in South Africa after 1961, because of dealer obligations. The 1962 and 1963 models were the Rebel and the Diplomat, which were the Valiant and Plymouth, respectively, with DeSoto badges. Local-content laws went into effect for 1964 and Chrysler SA only assembled the Simca, Valiant, and Dodge 330. For several years in the late 60s and early 70s, the Valiant was South Africa's best-selling car.
Valiant was the Bread & Butter Car for Plymouth, here in America, Australia & in South Africa & Elsewhere in the World.
@@waynewright2886 Valiants were GREAT Cars!!.
..Interesting info!.. :)
Slant sixes!
I've heard that some of the VH Valiants in South Africa were slant6 powered instead of a 245 or 265 Hemi ? ?? .I'm in New Zealand and have my father's old VH Ranger ' and an AP6 Regal . I've only just become aware of the De Soto Rebel' you seem to have had unique versions of car's in SA ' two that come to mind are the Vauxhall Firenza with the hot 302 Chev ' and the 302 V8 Capri .
I still think that the 1957 Fireflite, two door was one of the best looking cars ever.
For some reason, I've had a fascination for junked cars dating back decades. I saw a 1957 DeSoto in a town a few miles from me. it was abandoned in a parking lot across the road from a restaurant my dad and I frequented. I don't remember whether it was a Fireflite, Firesweep, or a Firedome. Seems it was a Firesweep, but I wouldn't swear to it.
The Fireflite was a serious competitor to the Bel Air.
Well I had a 4 door 57 fireflite back in 72 when I was in high school.
@@BIGLOVE4TRUTH When did you get rid of it?
Agreed! 👍
I was born in '51. In '53 Dad bought a new DeSoto - brown - his only new car ever. I do not know what engine it had. In the later '50's we got a used '56 DeSoto - two-tone green. That Hemi engine threw a rod and was replaced. We always had Chrysler products, as that is what Dad's dad always used as a rural mail carrier. His observation was that in muddy conditions there were more Fords and Chevys than Dodges that were stuck. I am awestruck at the many beautiful images you found.
My aunt and uncle had a 1959 Fireflite 4-door hardtop that was a cream-color with a rather gold-hued trim and it was one of the most beautiful cars I had ever seen at the time as a 12 year old. I went with them on a road trip from Memphis, TN to Chicago and was excited for the entire trip because of that elegant and great-.looking car.
The 1957 DeSoto is the most perfectly designed car EVER. A feast for the eyes. Virgil Exner's finest moment.
Jack Grattan take a good look at the 1958 Plymouth Fury. You will thank me
We had a1957 as well. Red with white side stripe. I wasn’t old enough to drive yet but I loved it anyway.
@@Dills1995 My grandma had a '55. Last year of the tiger teeth grille. I loved that car.
My first car was a 1957 Fireflite purchased for $100 in 1964. A lot of power but lousy brake design.
I had a 57 fireflite in high school in 1972.
"Tell em Groucho sent you"
Also Groucho: “Drive a DeSoto before you decide!”
"IT'S DELIGHTFUL...IT'S DE-LOVELY...IT'S DE SOTO". The slogan for the 1954 DeSoto, IINM.
@@frdjr2527 Say the secret word and win 50 dollars.
Desoto produced some nice looking cars during the time they were in production. When I was a kid dad owned a ‘56 which only had the 6cyl. side valve but was a great car.
I’m a huge DeSoto fan! We had a two tone green 53 Firedome, and a maroon over white 56 Firedome SW. I loved them! I had a classmate in high school who drove the family’s blue and white 55 Fireflight (I think) coupe, exactly like the one in your doc here. I can easily say that I’d trade nearly anything I own now for a nice example of that exact model today.
I was surprised by the charcoal and salmon four door shown, and I think I might have swooned … 🤔
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Fun fact: A Turkish company Askam priduced DeSoto Trucks until 1989
Indeed & many Desoto taxis from the 1940s/1950 were running in Istanbul until the mid 1990s.My father used one as a sales rep for Ponds products driving cross country in Turkey in the 1950s where rivers had to be frequently driven through where there were no bridges-Desotos had high ground clearence & high torque engines [even 6 cylinder models] ideal for this kind of driving as well as long suspension travel for rough roads & tracks.
.
@@edwardnowill4408 i remember the old american cars from the 40's and 50's being used as taxis in istanbul and the surrounding towns in the late 60's and 70's when i was there.
Did not know that. Thanks for the history lesson!
Yep. I saw one in Istanbul in 1995.
I love my 56 fire flight sportsman I can’t wait to get it restored
Excellent video.....concise and informative. Thanks !!!
My dad never stopped talking about the first car I remember riding in, his cream and burgundy '57 DeSoto. Always said it was the best car he ever owned, wished he had hung onto it longer.
Nice man, I love your videos!
The hemi engines were way ahead of their time in horsepower and performance.
Further ahead than you might think. Here is a video about the development of the "hemi" engine. Start at 4:30
ruclips.net/video/fgIz5N11TZ8/видео.html
You will also see hemi heads, although not known by that name can be found in Marmon's 1931 V-16, and in Duesenburg's 1914 walking beam race engine. The Hemi head is a long used engine in the racing industry, from the earliest days. Marmon and Deusenburg were the 2 best known. From Alaska
@@robertreisner6119 Bugatti had a little Overhead Cam Hemi Four in I think 1913...
@@stephenkeebler732 thanks I was unaware of that.
The hemispherical combustion chamber engine fitted with prototypical canted overhead valves, was invented by American engineer, Augustus Moore Herring in 1897 in St. Josephs, Michigan. Herring, the first to successfully fly a powered, heavier-than-air aeroplane (before the Wright brothers), used the overhead valve hemi design in an opposed twin-cylinder, four-stroke cycle engine for many of his experiments during the late 1890s (See: To Caress the Air: Augustus Herring and the Dawn of Flight (two volumes, 2018, Amazon). As a side note: Herring also successfully flew the first internal combustion engine (hemi) powered model airplane (free flight) in 1902. In the late 1950s, American hydroplane racer, Sid Street, set the water-speed record (flying mile) for the 266 cubic-inch class (F) at 147 mph, with a de-stroked, early 1950s DeSoto hemi (boat's name: Z-Z-Zip); the record has stood for 63 years...
I'm 35, and I grew up thinking a DeSoto was just one model manufactured by Dodge! I have certainly learned a lot more since we acquired a 1959 Fireflite last year. I appreciate the information you gave in this video!
Why do so many younger people think the DeSoto is a Dodge?
DeSoto was a separate distinct make from Dodge… just like IMPERIAL was a separate distinct make from Chrysler from 1955 on…
The terms “Dodge DeSoto” and “Chrysler Imperial” we’re BOTH WRONG (from 1955 on
(for Imperial)
The 57' to 60' models are some of the most beautiful cars ever designed. Truly incredible but so rare that you basically never see any.
You can come see my 59 Firesweep if you like
55 & 56 are worthy of that too, I think the 56 DeSoto may have been the most beautiful American car made that year!
At 2:14. The Emblem on DeSoto is way more better looking than the Cadillac one.
Aunt Barbara adores you!
Two things I'd like to mention that were excellent in this video. The first is the impressive pictures. I've never seen better ones of the beautiful DeSotos. Next is the info, which seems accurate. I did not know the reasons why the Hemi was (and is) so highly regarded. So more power on regular gas, more efficient combustion? Fascinating.
DeSoto is my favorite Chrysler marque. The 1959 Adventurer convertible pictured and '57 Fireflite in charcoal and salmon are favorites. Thank you.
The hemi engines were powerful and were rebuilt and used in race cars.
Late 50s early 60s were my favourite also. So beautiful, looking at today's cars it's hard to believe they made such beautiful cars like this...
@@bobroth1951 Motor Trend expected a compact luxury and had they put the hemi in a two seater they might have had a niche market to protect the brand.
@Dans Music : my grandfather had a Plymouth Cranbrook ,and his neighbor had a Dodge Royal Lancer,2 tone salmon and charcoal. I liked styling ,names ,badging ,and hood ornaments at 5 yrs old . what crap we have these days
@@michaeldeignan7922 It is an astonishing comparison to modern cars, isn't it?
Great video. Thanks for the thorough history lesson. DeSoto made some of the prettiest cars ever built.
I'm 78. At 16 I learned to drive in a 52 firedome 8,& a56 fire dome.The 52 had a fluid drive semi automatic, and the 56 had the 2 speed push button trans.My uncle had a 53 fire dome and a 57 fire dome.They all were HEMI equipped. They were great cars.I get nostalgic when I see them on u tube or at car shows.
Excellent mini-doc! You hit all the highlights and had some great pics and white boards. Good job, kid!
When my mother died in 2004, she had the worn out remains of an ice scraper in her Subaru. It said "Come See Desoto for 1956" on it. It had a car dealership name on it. I don't remember the dealers name, but it was in the little town of Mexico, Maine. I think my father kept the scraper. I had to watch this video.
An ice scraper gets lot of use in Mexico, Maine.
Mexico Maine? That doesn’t sound quite right?
@@dennishough3709 We had a ghost town in the the desert of southwest Colorado that was known "Portland" during the 1870's though the 1920's
My dad had a '57 DeSoto Firedome sedan. The thing was a tank. I was five at the time. My job was to stuff a piece of cinder block behind the tire when he parked. The transmission's locking device wasn't dependable. I remember being left in the car while mom/dad went into the store (yes, people did that regularly in those days). The car began to roll. I flipped over the seat back into the driver's seat and mashed down on the brake pedal until they came back out to the car. I had hero status for the day. LOL A proud moment for a five year old. That was 1965. Dad always said that car could pass everything on the road, but a gas station with that hemi in it.
We had a 55 Fireflight. The little 272 Hemi. The 57 was the nicest year I think? We drove that thing back and forth from Miami to Cleveland for years! My grandfather bought it new in Miami and died in 56. We then bought it from our grandma. It didn't even come with a heater!!! My dad had some aftermarket heater installed. A big metal box under the dashboard. I don't think it had any defrost??? Good old days for sure!😀
In those days, kids of 5 could drive cars. My Dad used to let me steer the car from the front passenger seat. I was about 7 at the time.
@@unclestuka8543
I remember sitting on the tailgate of my old mans '65 Country Squire Station Wagon, bare feet dangling over the road as we drove to the town dump. Kids were made of stronger stuff back then, I think.
Great video. I had a friend that was crazy over a DeSoto. In fact, he was trying to restore a 1960 model. You had some beautiful photos, too! Thank you for sharing!!!
When I was a kid my next door neighbor was a Desoto lover and he had some very cool cars
I had a summer job in 1959 at a Dodge Desoto dealership. The owner drove an Adventurer. What a head turner when it came to beauty. Reliability issues were starting to plague the whole Chrysler line up. To add to all this durability issues surfaced as Chrysler products and in some respects they’re still there today. They have great looking vehicles like the RAM pickups but only have half the life expectancy of a Ford F-150.
Did not know that De Soto sold so well in the mid-1950’s! Never thought much about them at the time as they seemed to just be the ultimate expression of “chrome boat” that we had for big Detroit iron of the time. Nobody seemed to miss them when they faded away either unlike the Packard or Hudson brands. Thanks for the information!
Little Johnny47cib But I'm telling you right now there are alot of people who are upset with General Motors for dropping Pontiac!.
Chrome boats ? The 57' to 60' models are some of the most beautiful cars ever built. No wonder they sold so well. My favorites are the 58's... so beautiful but extremely rare nowadays.
I will always remember Jimmy Stewart’s Desoto in “Vertigo”. Kim Novak’s Jaguar was classy. But Stewart’s Desoto was so West Coast in the late 50’s. It was unique as a movie car as well. Few other Desotos ever made it to the big screen in a major studio film production.
All of those street shots in "Vertigo" are a car lover's dream!
WRONG !!ALL THE YELLOW CABS IN THE LATE 30- 40 -50'S WERE DESOTO SUBURBANS ON A 139 IN WB . AND OTHER CAB CO AS WELL. THEY EVEN WERE CONVERTED AS AN AMBULANCE BY THE FACTORY. BY MAKING THE FRONT SEAT REMOVABL REPLACED WITH ONE BUCKET SEAT, AND THE DOOR PILLAR BETWEEN THE FRONT AND BACK DOORS WAS MOVABLE WITH THE OPENING OF THE BACK DOOR.
You should look up Jimmy Stewart's WW2 military record. He's mentioned in a lot of Ww2 history books. Kinda cool.
Very informative and well presented. Thanks.
Sad that DeSoto cancelled. I wonder what there cars would look like in modern day
Probably a mix of Honda's SUVs and Chevy's muscle cars maybe we might even see the brand return.
Rebadged Chrysler
I'd read somewhere that the Chrysler Newport was originally intended as a DeSoto, so you can head-cannon that as a DeSoto. Apart from that, Eagle certainly fits the bill as DeSoto's successor. Considering all Chrysler's numerous badge-engineering exploits, just take a Mopar product of your choice and 3D print a plastic waterfall grill and some DeSoto badges and call it a day (confuse the hell out of people XD ).
DeSoto sounds like an SUV
I feel the same way about Studebaker. In a way, Studebaker's post-war styling was too much ahead of its contemporaries.
In 1958, we bought a new DeSoto Fireflight. It’s my favorite car of all the cars we’ve had. It was one of the first cars to offer rear air conditioning, with the ducts made of Lexan clear plastic, and the air would blow down your neck. It was a beautiful 4dr hardtop.
Grandpa's 53 LIncoln had those lexan ducts for the AC too.
I really enjoyed your video of the history of Desoto. I'm a pretty big Gearhead and I learned a few things I didn't know. After watching, I found myself really liking the Desoto styling. My dad owned a 55 Firedome. The color was just like the one pictured in black, and I guess it would be a correl color. I think the 50s model years were very attractive. It's hard for me to understand why Chrysler had such a hard time over the years. It's the same story for the Imperials. They were great cars, I've always known Imperials to have a good build quality along with a great engineering reputation. But they never sold as well as the Lincolns and Cadillacs in those days. Those mid-50s Desotos really had a great presence. Admittedly there are some unique looking Chrysler products that maybe wasn't for everybody. But I've always been attracted to them. In any event I hope Chrysler will be one of the Big Three for a long time to come. I really like the late 50s fins and taillights. I don't why others don't feel the same way.
What a fantastic looking car, the early models looked par for the time of manufacture but the later fifties cars were just so very beautiful, as were so many American cars of that era, the late cars lost something with the complexity and design of the grille but the side view of virtually any of the late 1950s De Soto output was breath-taking.
Thanks for this brilliant resume of a great American automobile, and the people that own one of these cars today are so very lucky.
Wow nice job ! Boy Howdy on that Sun Lit Yellow Fireflite vert man!
Owned both a 1955 and a 1958. Both served me very well and I was especially proud of the 55 as it was my first car, two tone green. I met my future wife with that car and would never have happened if I had not purchased that wonderful car. Also my 3 children sorta owe their life to me owning that car which adds to my pride of that ownership. I wish I would have never traded that car away as it will always mean more to me than I can express. The car had way more power than I needed, passing gear gave you a feeling you were in a jet plane. I hated it that DeSoto was finally cancelled, but I understood that Chrysler could not cancel the name sake of the company and DeSoto was almost a carbon copy of the Chrysler.
I remember seeing Desotos when I was a kid, generally rusted out hulks in some salvage yard somewhere. Production ceased the year before I was born. I never really slowed down to take a look until now thanks to this video. Great presentation. I loved the late 30s through early 50s styling. From what I can see they seemed to be about a decade ahead of the others regarding design. I'm certain the illustrations of these beautifully restored models depicted within this video helped persuade that opinion. Great job.
Sometime around 1977 my Dad bought a DeSoto 6 that had been sitting in a quarry shed since the end of WW2. It was in pretty good order and was complete. It took him about an hour to get it running and he drove it the 8 kilometers back to our home. In the early 2000's he sold it as cancer had got him and he wanted to tidy up loose ends. It sold for only NZ$12k. I wish I had bought it but was working on the new mortgage.
I been waiting for this
Thanks for the video that was really good next one imperial.
Imperial. I'll second that
My first car was a 39 DeSoto. It was older than I was, though only by a couple years, and I loved that thing. We were a DeSoto family until they quit making them. I will note that by the Sixties, that DeSoto had a -lot- of rust, but still drove just fine.
Hey, Good Job! I learned a lot. Thank you.
An admirable brand. Thanks for the history lesson. I came up in the 1950's during the glory days of HP and design changes. DeSoto, like Mercury, filled that middle slot. I had no idea how many innovations came with the brand.
A 1956 Firedome Desoto was my first car. I got my driver's license in 1967. It was two tone pink and my friends called me firedame because I had far more horsepower than their cars. With the tiny back window it was very hard to parallel park.
Great summary of information and fantastic images. Thanks.
My Dad's first couple of cars were DeSotos, back in the early 50s. (As a child in the 60s, I don't remember them.) Dad shifted to Plymouths by 1958 (Furys, and Barracudas in the late 60s). (Grandpa stepped from Rebels and an Ambassador into to New Ports and a Cordoba when AMC wrapped it up in the 70s.) Dad had lots of great memories from his Frieflight and Firedome. Thanks for posting.
Loved the video. Some really great pics. Parents had a '57 Fireflite Sportsman in Aqua and White. I was real young but I remember the neighbors lining up to take it for a spin. DeSoto sort of shook off the dust of 1950's automotive design and gave us something fresh and new.
Never heard of De Soto until I watched a Groucho Marx programme sponsored by them. Thanks for the video. Love these old cars.
Thank you, for a Very interesting and educational video!
I was not of the car buying age when DeSota was produced. My dad was an Oldsmobile buyer having owned a 1950 88 a 1954 Super 88 and a 1958 Super 88. They were peppy cars to drive. Found it interesting the comparison of the Olds v8 engine with the DeSoto V8. that was an eye opener for me. Great Video.
My dad owned a 57 Firesweep that he bought used in the early 60s. A few things I remember about that car; it had an enormous package tray where I slept on long trips(my little sister had the back seat), it was white over grey and had the coolest taillights I have ever seen!
A good sound historical overview of the brand, thank you. I have never owned one but the 55/56 Fireflites are my preferred model. I keep looking for a project, but... so far nothing that can be saved from the ravages of time on anything like a workable budget.
don't do it unless you find a running parts car- save yourself some $ and agg.
You pretty much need four cars to make one decent one today. The Desoto's are few and far between as most were crushed in the 70's and 80's here in North America.
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I enjoyed looking at the many color pictures of those beautiful DeSoto cars!
I also appreciate the facts that you posted as well as the pace of the video.
Thank you!
That's the best video I've seen about DeSoto so far with good quality Thanks!
Asleep in my garage there's a DeSoto Diplomat 53 waiting for summer roads...
I remember a DeSoto TV commercial where they were bragging up the power steering, and showed how great it was by running the car through a ditch at high speed.
thats about the only time power steering is useful- when you drive thru a ditch (or your EX's front yard).
Another great video. 👍
That was very classy the way you gave that disclaimer about this is not the time. We need more of you around the Internet
This video is a complete overload in beautiful designs. Thank you for making this.
Thanks! Just did it for fun and did not expect it to get much attention!
Ad a kid, I remember the ad slogan - "It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
Never heard that one. As a history buff, thanks!
I was born in '63, about three years after the last DeSoto was made, but I remember them being around (as older cars, of course) when I was a kid.
That was a line from their sales jingle. DeSoto /Plymouth sponsored Groucho Marx "You Bet Your Life on TV.
You can tell at a glance
that this new car is far in advance
You can hear that big engine murmuring low
Rarin to go
Just make sure you see and drive
the new DeSoto, why man alive
It's delightful. It's delovely, It's DeSoto.
@@bwtv147 Thanks for the info!
Awesome pictures of so many De Soto vehicles. Loved this.
Greatly appreciative for your research. This from a great grandpa born in the mid 60's under Eisenhower. Touché!
Great video, thanks! My first car was a 54 Firedome I bought from my sister for $25.00. Third car was a 55 Fireflyte. Wish I still had the 55.
used to peek at DeSoto new cars 50 years ago in a showroom around the corner from my school. best car designs of the time.
MURRY I ve always felt that 57 and 58 Chrysler's and DeSotos were the best looking tail finned looking cars that I'd seen in my entire life!. By comparison the 59 Cadillac is an exaggeration!.
...In Wisconsin, I bought a 2 door 1960 Adventurer in 1974, driving to South Dakota to pick it up. White w/red interior, it was rust free w/95,000 miles. My plan was to restore it as the interior was worn. I saw "American Graffiti" weeks later, and was obsessed w/getting a 58 Edsel. A month later I did, a local 4 door Corsair. Still have the Edsel, but the Desoto was sold in 1981. Today, id rather have kept the Desoto.....
The Edsel was discontinued about a year prior to DeSoto's demise.
@@rayfridley6649 ...yes, it was. That didnt influence my buying a Edsel... it was the scene in American Graffitti where Cindy Williams ( Lorrie ) pulls into the diner driving her dad's family car..the Edsel. This big box of a car, w/a cool roof design, and gull wing tail lights, attracted my eye. Same colors as mine too.
Bad move!!!
I had a 1931 DeSoto that I bought in 1954 when I graduated from High School. I drove that winter and summer. It had a manifold heater which barely took the chill off. I t was great in the summer but would not start when it was freezing out. it needed a valve refitting but I didn't know that at age 17.
I did moved it by trading it in for a 1951 Henry J. That didn't start any better than the DeSoto. I did really like that DeSoto and I was able to buy one from, an 90 year old owner who lived in Bingington New York. My son lived close enough to go see it and advised me to buy it so I did. So I now have a 1931 DeSoto model CK. Its on Jack stands for now but in the summer I drive it to a number of car events. I live about 15 miles from the Gilmore Car Museum so I have had it out there for various car events. Jerry Inman
My dad was born in 1919. I was born in 1952 and when I was a young man (13 or 14) he took a De Soto our for a spin. It was a used car, but he told me that at 60 MPH it would lay rubber if you matted the gas pedal. I questioned it then and I still would have to see it to believe it, but the car certainly had plenty of power as was proved at 9:34 to 9:48. Excellent documentary!!!
My grandparents had a 1950 DeSoto. My parents inherited the car and eventually I owned it. The car was still just like new. Even the upholstery was perfect. A couple years ago I sold it to a good friend that is way more into cars than I am these days. It's a big hit in car shows around here and he still drives it now and again on nice days. I also gave him the bill of sale from the dealer where my grandparents bought the car, and the loan papers from the bank showing the loan had been paid off. There are moments where I wish I still had it. But it's way better off in his hands.
Can you do a video on the Dodge/Fargo trucks ? I've only seen a few pics of those trucks online and would love to kno more about them. Love the vids,keep up the good work
Great job! Fireflight looks amazing today - gotta check that out!
Beautiful old cars! Thank you for such an informative video!
you sir got a new subscriber!
I was raised next to the McGraw avenue plant in Detroit on Smart and Addison streets. We saw all the produced body styles and trim packages in the parking/staging area. They also road tested them on the nearby side streets until 1958, then moved production to Jefferson avenue on the East side of Detroit. Imperials were assembled a couple blocks away on Lonyo avenue until 1960.
A lot of automotive history in that town.
Thanks for making the video. My first car was a 1959 Desoto station wagon. It had push Botton drive. No gear shift lever. You shifted with your left hand. It also had amazing power steering.
It,s delightful, it's delovely's it's Desoto
Loved these! Grew up with them and all the "forward look" cars of the late fifties and early sixties. Had a 67 Mercury Cyclone as my first new car, just before Duty Called for 2 years. Parents sold it while I was doing my tour!! Thought I would not return, but I fooled them, ..and, to be honest, me too!! Partial to the now "extinct brands", got two Mercs now (64 and 67, again), a 64 Ranchero and a 64 Fairlane (no not a T-bolt, has a 302!!), but would add one of these old beauties if I could afford a fully restored one, can't do the work myself anymore. Thanks for the look back at the forward look!! :D
Thanks for a really good video. The 1934 DeSoto Airflow is so futuristic and beautifully minimalist. It surely gave some inspiration to the VW Beetle-or vice versa. After that, the fins and chrome took hold and US car design became more crude imo.
...via Tatra...
I think that one reason 1949 was DeSoto's biggest selling year is because they must of won a big contract with one of the
big taxicab companies. Watch any movie shot on location in NYC or Frisco throughout the '50s you will see a '49 DeSoto
taxicab.
Jack Grattan
Yessir ! I remember the extended DeSoto taxi cabs in NYC as a young boy. They were long, comfortable and fast ( well maybe that part was “compliments” of the Cab Driver ) . What us kids liked was those four fold down/up Jumper Seats which were fun to sit on during the ride. I think the back seat could hold 4 passengers, then with the rear seat plus one up front next to the driver that made it a NINE passenger taxicab and everyone was comfortable.
Yep, they were like the Checkers of the late 60's and 70's.
I had a 1958 DeSoto (Fire Flight?) that my Aunt bought new in 1958. I inherited it in 1971 with only 61,000 miles on the odometer. Almost everything on it was still original including the two tone paint and upholstery. I loved that car even though it only got about 11 mpg. It was like driving a yacht on dry land. I drove it from Virginia to California in 1994 but had no garage in which to store it. The Redwood City California sun was deteriorating the inside, so I sold it to company in San Francisco that supplies period automobiles for movies. If you see a 1958 DeSoto in a movie, it may be my Aunt's old car.
My uncle had a new Desoto every year from 1958 to 1961 especially the two tone gold white color trim. I was 16 years old. Great show. Thanks from Ohio