Mecum Chicago (2016)

1961 Desoto Adventurer

Mecum Louisville (2016)

DeSoto 1961

DeSoto

DeSoto was an American automotive brand that was founded in 1928. DeSoto was created by the Chrysler Corporation as their mid-range brand, sitting above <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/plymouth/">Plymouth</a> and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/dodge/">Dodge</a>, but below <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/chrysler/">Chrysler</a>. In 1934, Dodge and DeSoto switched positions, leaving DeSoto as the lower-priced intermediate brand. Over the course of its history, DeSoto offered a wide range of cars, many of which were based on Chrysler models. Notable models included the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/adventurer/">Adventurer</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/airflow/">Airflow</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/fireflite/">Fireflite</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/firedome/">Firedome</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/custom/">Custom</a>, and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/deluxe/">Deluxe</a>. After many years of success, DeSoto was struggling for sales, eventually leading to Chrysler discontinuing the brand after the 1961 model year.

DeSoto was an American automotive brand that was founded in 1928. DeSoto was created by the Chrysler Corporation as their mid-range brand,…

1961

For 1961, which was the final model year for DeSoto, the company consolidated its offerings into a single model line that featured no distinct name. This final year of DeSoto was available in two or four door hardtop body styles, and was based on a shortened version of the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/chrysler/windsor/">Chrysler Windsor</a>, and featured a 5.9L V8 engine. It is common to see 1961 DeSoto offerings with the names of previous models such as the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/adventurer/">Adventurer</a> or <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/fireflite/">Fireflite</a>, but these cars were not formally named. Production of these final DeSoto cars ended in 1961, when <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/chrysler/">Chrysler</a> finally discontinued the brand.

For 1961, which was the final model year for DeSoto, the company consolidated its offerings into a single model line that featured no…

DeSoto Six

Introduced for the 1929 model year, the DeSoto Six was the first line of cars sold under the DeSoto brand. The first variant introduced was the 1929 Model K, while versions such as the CK, SA, and SC followed in later years. The Six was powered by a range of inline six engines ranging from 3.2L to 3.6L in displacement. Two and four door saloon body styles were offered, as were open top versions. Production of the DeSoto Six lasted until 1933.

Introduced for the 1929 model year, the DeSoto Six was the first line of cars sold under the DeSoto brand. The first variant introduced was…

DeSoto Airflow

The DeSoto Airflow was a series of cars introduced in 1934. The Airflow featured a radical, streamlined design that was ahead of its time, and was largely a badge engineered version of the upmarket <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/chrysler/airflow">Chrysler Airflow</a>. This DeSoto version of the Airflow was powered by a 4.0L inline six engine that sent 100hp to the rear wheels. Reception of the Airflow was not as positive as had been hoped for, causing the Airflow to drop out of production in 1936 in favor of more traditionally styled models.

The DeSoto Airflow was a series of cars introduced in 1934. The Airflow featured a radical, streamlined design that was ahead of its time,…

Airflow

DeSoto Airstream

The DeSoto Airstream was a series of cars introduced for the 1935 model year. The Airstream featured a much more traditional design than its big brother, the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/airflow/">DeSoto Airflow</a>, and due to the Airflow&#39;s public reception, the Airstream was by far the much more popular model. DeSoto offered the rear wheel drive Airstream in coupe, sedan, or convertible body styles. The same 4.0L inline six engine as featured in the Airflow powered the Airstream, which was only available until the 1936 model year.

The DeSoto Airstream was a series of cars introduced for the 1935 model year. The Airstream featured a much more traditional design than…

Airstream

DeSoto S3

The DeSoto S3 was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1937 model year. After the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/airflow/">Airflow</a> and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/airstream/">Airstream</a>, DeSoto consolidated their offerings into one model, the S3. These cars were available in a range of body styles including two and four door saloon. The S3 was powered by a 3.7L inline six engine that produed 168hp and sent power to the rear wheels. The S3 was only offered for the 1937 model year and was replaced by the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/s5/">DeSoto S5</a>.

The DeSoto S3 was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1937 model year. After the Airflow and Airstream, DeSoto consolidated their…

DeSoto S5

The DeSoto S5 was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1938 model year. The S5 replaced the previous <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/s3/">DeSoto S3</a> and was available in a range of body styles that included two and four door saloon. This line of rear wheel drive cars was powered by a 3.7L inline six engine that produced 172hp. Production of the S5 was limited to the 1938 model year as in 1939 DeSoto split the model into the higher tier <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/custom/">DeSoto Custom</a> and lower tier <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/deluxe/">DeSoto Deluxe</a>.

The DeSoto S5 was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1938 model year. The S5 replaced the previous DeSoto S3 and was available…

DeSoto Custom

The DeSoto Custom was a series of full-size cars that was introduced for the 1939 model year. The Custom was DeSoto&#39;s premium offering, and was available in various body styles including sedan, coupe, and convertible. These cars were powered by a range of inline six engines ranging from 3.7L to 4.1L in displacement. The Custom was a rear wheel drive car, and was available with a manual or automatic transmission. Production of the DeSoto Custom lasted until 1952, when it was replaced by the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/firedome/">DeSoto Firedome</a>.

The DeSoto Custom was a series of full-size cars that was introduced for the 1939 model year. The Custom was DeSoto's premium offering, and…

Custom

DeSoto Deluxe

The DeSoto Deluxe was a series of full-size cars that was introduced for the 1939 model year. The Deluxe was DeSoto&#39;s entry-level offering, and was available in various body styles including sedan, coupe, and station wagon. These rear wheel drive cars were powered by a range of inline six engines ranging from 3.7L to 4.1L in displacement, and were available with a manual or automatic transmission. Production of the DeSoto Deluxe lasted until 1952, when it was replaced by the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/powermaster/">DeSoto Powermaster</a>.

The DeSoto Deluxe was a series of full-size cars that was introduced for the 1939 model year. The Deluxe was DeSoto's entry-level offering,…

Deluxe

DeSoto Firedome

The DeSoto Firedome was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1952 model year. DeSoto introduced the Firedome as their top of the line model as well as their first offering with a V8 engine. Over the course of production, the Firedome was sold as DeSoto&#39;s top, intermediate, and entry-level full-size model, and was available in a variety of body styles. DeSoto built the Firedome in three generations: <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/firedome/1st-gen/">1st Gen (1952-1954)</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/firedome/2nd-gen/">2nd Gen (1955-1956)</a>, and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/firedome/3rd-gen/">3rd Gen (1957-1959)</a>.

The DeSoto Firedome was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1952 model year. DeSoto introduced the Firedome as their top of the…

Firedome

DeSoto Powermaster

The DeSoto Powermaster was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1952 model year. The Powermaster replaced the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/deluxe/">DeSoto Deluxe</a> as the company&#39;s entry-level model, and was built in sedan and coupe body styles although the coupe was only for the Canadian market. This family of rear wheel drive cars were powered by a 4.1L inline six engine, and were produced until 1954.

The DeSoto Powermaster was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1952 model year. The Powermaster replaced the DeSoto Deluxe as the…

Powermaster

DeSoto Fireflite

The DeSoto Fireflite was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1955 model year. The Fireflite was launched as DeSoto&#39;s flagship model, and it was the largest and widest model in the company&#39;s history. DeSoto offered the rear wheel drive Fireflite with a standard 5.3L V8 engine, and built the model in coupe, sedan, hardtop, convertible, and station wagon body styles. Over the course of production, various V8 engines were offered, including &#39;Hemi&#39; variants available in various states of tune. Although the Fireflite was replaced as DeSoto&#39;s premium model for 1957 by the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/adventurer/">Adventurer</a>, the Fireflite remained in production until 1960.

The DeSoto Fireflite was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1955 model year. The Fireflite was launched as DeSoto's flagship…

Fireflite

DeSoto Adventurer

The DeSoto Adventurer was a family of cars that debuted for the 1956 model year. The Adventurer was initially launched as two door performance focused coupe, yet over the course of production, a four door hardtop, sedan, and convertible were also offered. DeSoto updated the styling of the Adventurer each year it was built, and powered the model with a wide range of Chrysler V8 engines, including Hemi and &#39;Wedge&#39; units available in different states of tune. These rear wheel drive cars were built until 1960, and were replaced by the 1961 DeSoto.

The DeSoto Adventurer was a family of cars that debuted for the 1956 model year. The Adventurer was initially launched as two door…

Adventurer

DeSoto Firesweep

The DeSoto Firesweep was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1957 model year. The Firesweep was DeSoto&#39;s entry-level full-size model, and was largely based on the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/dodge/coronet/">Dodge Coronet</a>. This family of cars was available in a wide range of body styles, including sedan, hardtop, station wagon, and convertible. Both manual and automatic transmissions were available on the Firesweep, which was fitted as standard with a Dodge-sourced V8 engine. Production of the DeSoto Firesweep ended in 1959.

The DeSoto Firesweep was a series of full-size cars introduced for the 1957 model year. The Firesweep was DeSoto's entry-level full-size…

Firesweep

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For 1961, which was the final model year for DeSoto, the company consolidated its offerings into a single model line that featured no distinct name. This final year of DeSoto was available in two or four door hardtop body styles, and was based on a shortened version of the <a href="MKT:6934" old-href="https://www.classic.com/m/chrysler/windsor/">Chrysler Windsor</a>, and featured a 5.9L V8 engine. It is common to see 1961 DeSoto offerings with the names of previous models such as the <a href="MKT:17203" old-href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/adventurer/">Adventurer</a> or <a href="MKT:17205" old-href="https://www.classic.com/m/desoto/fireflite/">Fireflite</a>, but these cars were not formally named. Production of these final DeSoto cars ended in 1961, when <a href="MKT:2024" old-href="https://www.classic.com/m/chrysler/">Chrysler</a> finally discontinued the brand.

	Vehicle	Price	Date
	1961 Desoto Adventurer Mecum Chicago (2016) Lot #S22	$14,000 SOLD	Oct 08, 2016 4 years ago
	1961 Desoto Adventurer Mecum Louisville (2016) Lot #F59	$14,000 HIGH BID	Sep 09, 2016 4 years ago

1961 DeSoto

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