Randy's Glamorous 1961 DeSoto
Join us as we take a closer look at Randy's glamorous 1961 DeSoto. From its sleek design and luxurious interior to the impressive performance under the hood, this classic car is a true showstopper. Whether you're a car enthusiast or simply appreciate vintage automobiles, you won't want to miss this in-depth tour of one of Randy's prized possessions.
As most Chryslers offered for the 1961 model year, the final DeSoto was also based on the 300G design-wise. But while it shared the stacked and angled headlamps, the stylish profile, and the massive rear fins with the range-topping Chrysler, the DeSoto broke cover with a rather unusual two-tier front grille. The lower unit was shaped to incorporate the headlamps, while the upper grille covered the front hood section and featured "DeSoto" lettering.
The design was a bit too wild even for the early 1960s when carmakers were experimenting with all sorts of unusual styling cues. As a result, but also because Chrysler confirmed DeSoto's discontinuation in November 1960, only 911 customers opted to take a two-door hardtop home. Many cars were sold at massive discounts as Chrysler dealers were anxious to get rid of DeSoto stock. The lineup included 2,123 four-door hardtop sedans.
Come 2023 and the 1961 DeSoto may be a face only a mother would love, but it's a super rare gem. Not only because far fewer than 911 examples survived to this day, but also because many survivors are in poor shape, some needing expensive restorations that no one is willing to pay for. Luckily enough, we have enthusiasts like John Dales, who restored a two-door version in Bahama Bronze in the 2000s and he's been parading it at car shows ever since.
In pristine condition and still sporting most of its original components, including the transparent speedometer, this DeSoto also rocks a rather unique interior in light metallic blue, white, and black. And it still relies on its factory-original 361-cubic-inch (5.9-liter) V8 engine, which was rated at 265 horsepower and 370 pound-feet (502 Nm) of torque when new.
Granted, it's nowhere near as powerful as the Chrysler 300G's 413-cubic-inch (6.8-liter) Golden Lion V8, good for 375 horsepower. But the DeSoto is also notably more affordable than the 1961 "letter series." While the latter can cost more than $130,000 in Concours-ready condition, a DeSoto in tip-top shape will fetch less than $80,000. And while it may not be a popular opinion, I think the latter is a far more exotic choice.
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