DeSoto’s Next To Last Stand

Steve discovers a 1960 DeSoto Adventurer with some interesting “firsts” and “lasts”, none of which saved DeSoto from extinction in 1961.

[@hommie789]

Some of these old cars just don't deserve this kind of end. Beautiful lines from a bygone era that is just rotting away, undignified ending to such classics.

[@scootergeorge9576]

Have you bought and saved one from the crusher yet?

[@hommie789]

@@scootergeorge9576 Actually I am the owner of a 1969 GMC C10 and a 1949 Ford F1, so technically no, I have no cars but I have two trucks. I am also looking for a late teen's Model T, but true T's are hard to come by as most have been rodded.

[@scootergeorge9576]

@@hommie789 - Model T Fords are rather impractical except for driving around town. Back in the sixties, my father restored a 1930 Model A Ford roadster even though as a kid, his family owned a Model TT truck and when the Model T became somewhat scarce in the used car and truck market of the late thirties, switched to Chevrolet. He would take his 100% stock Model A onto the 101 freeway frequently for local trips and drove from Thousand Oaks CA to Knott's Berry Farm every year for the annual show. Can't see that with a T. He would cruise at 55-60 MPH. Slow lane stuff to be sure butt what is a T good for, 35, maybe 40 with a 2 speed rear axle? But if you need help, I'm an expert on Model T front brakes, original water pumps, gas pedals, shift levers, gas gauges, fuel pumps... : D

[@corvetteguy2629]

Love to have seen that car in its prime thanks for the tour.

[@soulsofpresentgracethompso5990]

Love the gun shots in the background

[@Gerk8]

‘Tis the season!

[@xaenon]

Come visit Detroit if you like the sound of gunfire.

[@soulsofpresentgracethompso5990]

@@xaenon Can you return fire ? 🤣

[@xaenon]

@@soulsofpresentgracethompso5990 Well, if not, then I reckon I'm in a world of trouble, because I've had to do it twice. It's why I'm gettin the f#@% out of this 'burg.

[@ExUSSailor]

There used to be a really great junkyard in Albion, NJ. When you hiked well to the back of the place, there were TONS of interesting vehicles. Lots of Studes, a few Model As, and, there was a 1958 De Soto convertible, with about an 18" diameter tree growing up through the engine compartment. It still had the "Hi-Way Hi-Fi" record player under the dash.

[@ktm42080]

That car has class, especially the interior. Love the old Exner style!

[@paulpalmtree9295]

I absolutely adore the fins on these cars 🚗.👍.

[@ScottDLR]

That interior is awesome. Imagine how nice that would look like new.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool interior Scott

[@carlbentley80]

That is very cool, those tail fins are something else.

[@charlesdalton985]

As usual, you’re correct. Many think the Aero cars Chrysler built in the 30s were unibody, but they were not. Love these shorts - thanks for doing them!

[@SteveMagnante]

Thanks for watching, the DeSoto and all Chrysler Corporation passenger cars went to Unitized (on the little A-Body Valiant) and Semi-Unitized (all others) body construction in 1960 EXCEPT FOR the luxurious Imperial. These remained Body-On-Frame until the 1967 model year when they adopted the C-Body semi-unitized platform. I say Semi-Unitized because from the firewall back on these full size C-Bodies, the body was a "bubble" with integral frame rails BUT from the firewall forward, they had a bolt-on sub frame - kinda like the 1967-1981 Camaro / Firebird setup. As for the new-for 1962 B-Body (never used under a Chrysler or Imperial), it was Fully Unitized (like the little A-Body) with the front inner fender panels and front frame rail extensions permanently welded to the firewall and body "bubble". THANKS for the excellent question. -Steve

[@ronaldhuff635]

Love this, exner was a designer well above the market THEN and before his time, thank you for showing us this old and precious jewel, and for the history lesson, I own 3 62-63 imperials, i own a rarity, ( 2 door crowns being the fabled horse amongst imperials, and i have a survivor- minus back seat, which got re upholstered in black, ( not sky blue) like the rest of the car, She,, is why i am an exner fan, Thank you for these videos

[@xmo552]

I imagine boots are a daily thing 🙃

[@Fony_turgeson]

amazing how detailed and quality cars were back then

[@danielvrana9444]

Love The Junk Car Gold!! You must be the smartest car guy on tv!!

[@ancientheart2532]

Steve I love these crawls. Back when local upstate NY yards still haf some interesting cars in the back lots, I would get a turkey sub for lunch and just wander around. Loved it.

[@me3333]

I'm surprised Scott from Cold War Motors doesn't have one of these

[@selah62]

give him time.

[@vintagesavoiur]

I bought a 61 Desoto 361, huge fins. Had the build sheet and even the shipping papers. Bought it for 500.00 sold it for 2400.00

[@spankyham9607]

That is a cool looking car. I love the interior coloring. Very nice.

[@5610winston]

1:45 Take a close look at the rear window. Lower line '60 models would have a curved window with a different roofline. This one has the high rear window that reaches up to the plane of the roof This could have been a really beautiful restoration, and still might if a suitable donor could be found to replace the trunk frame. The DeSoto grille was, in my opinion, much nicer looking than the Saratoga, Windsor, or New Yorker trim.

[@jonmoore8995]

Nice to see DeSoto. The first year for the Adventurer was 1956, had 341 dual quad hemi, 320 hp. It was similar to the Pacesetter, which my grandpa had new.

[@chadvetter8190]

Best looking fins I've seen, wow!

[@JBO3022]

Love these little episodes. Thanks.

[@tombob671]

" Go see your local Desoto dealer, tell them Goucho sent you"

[@Slimjim260]

Best tail fins of all time, Steve

[@LongIslandMopars]

Great job reporting on all the Mopar iron. If you’re ever down to Long Island, look our club up. You’d be impressed with our members rides.

[@TheWhitetailrancher]

love it!! What great history! Actually left UTG live chat to see this!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

It'll be there later. Idk I love his channel but can't get into the live bits. Maybe cause I'm usually wrenching in the shop on my own stuff at those times.

[@loganshotrod4x464]

This dude knows old mopar like an encyclopedia, guys like us are a dying breed. I’m not sure of the year but my guess is that the 383 came later - I think that’s a 350 or maybe a 361? Either way, a nice solid block & rods with an internally balanced forged crank & a world of aftermarket support for big block dodge… easier & cheaper to build that an old Hemi… more bang for the buck…

[@godsowndrunk1118]

My grandparents owned a 59 DeSoto Adventurer they bought new until 1983 when my grand dad died.....my cousin ended up with the car and it wasn't long after that the engine with nearly 300,000 miles finally let go and threw a rod.....that's when my cousin leaned that the 383 that year was a RB (raised block) engine , rather than the low deck 383 we were familiar with....he ended up replacing the engine with a junkyard 440.

[@Cyberpuppy63]

An enterprising metal crafter could probably spot-weld a crafted back frame for that car, with a real good template, and "donated" materials.

[@twisted2291]

Glad to find your channel today. Always loved your pieces in Car Craft, and on Barrett Jackson, along with what you had going on Motortrend. I have learned a ton of stuff from you over the years. Thank you for sharing you knowledge.

[@chiefbobdavis99]

Nice! I like the Jeep in the background at the beginning of the video.

[@ddellwo]

It’s hard to imagine the complex stamping procedures the manufacturers needed to utilize to crank out these tail-finned behemoths of the late-50’s to early-60’s…….😮

[@stevenmarcinkowski8577]

The Adventurer name carried out to the extra cab Dodge truck line in the early 70's. Had a 1973 many years ago. 400 2bbl. Good and reliable work truck

[@edpodellis]

I hear gun fire in back ground , maybe an orange hat Steve !

[@mrdiplomat9018]

Aaaaahhhhhh, the sweet sound of Liberty ❗️❗️🇺🇸🌞🔥

[@glenfenderman]

Those beautiful futuristic Mopar spaceships don't belong in the junkyards. They belong back on the roads!

[@CR7659]

These cars rot the most in the rear, the frame rails and trunk floor. If that isn't bad the rest usually is good enough to save. You can replace that missing panel out of a more common 60-61 Chrysler. The '61 will be cut out for different taillights but the shape is the same. I think I have a fender, door and front bumper that would work for it, nearby in New York, would have to go up to my buddy's farm and find them.

[@richardturk7162]

Would love to check out that flat fendered Jeep in the back.

[@blackrim01]

Great video! Would love to see more of these Forward Look Mopars.

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

My dad had a four door coupe with the push button transmission. Black with white interior. Beautiful car!

[@Truckguy2007]

My dad had a 57 Desoto. Unfortunately plagued with rust! It went to the junkyard in the sky!!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Really cool car!! 👍👍👍

[@loualiberti4781]

Cool old car !

[@robertphillips6296]

Thank you for posting.

[@jamesblair9614]

The Chrysler products of that era sure had extravagant glass, as you pointed out there. The windshields and backlight blend beautifully with the roof lines, much more so than they did a few years later. I’m sure it was expensive to produce.

[@crazytrain7114]

And incredibly expensive to replace! I had a 61 Imperial with a cracked windshield. They wanted $600 for a new one in 1980!

[@paulypooper2]

It’s on my bucket list to meet Steve Mags

[@galactica5]

My favorite tailfins!

[@shawnirvine1962]

I Love those ols school Tail Fins

[@The55nomad]

Great late 50's Chrysler Corp. styling.

[@SteveMagnante]

Please remember that this DeSoto CAN BE PURCHASED from Gary at Winkel Auto Wrecking. Gary can be reached at 603/673-4616.

[@logtrkr4693]

Steve you are the coolest been following you for years!!!!

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I had a 77 Dodge D100 Adventurer. The script was very similar.

[@maidenrulz73]

I noticed that too

[@danielulz1640]

Possibly N O S leftover parts.

[@aaroncone6778]

I thought that 1960 was the 1st year for the Alternator on Chry. Co. Cars/trucks. Always loved the Desoto's, as they are a classy ride!

[@jonathanmorrisey5771]

Valiant got it in 1960 and Imperial IIRC.

[@twhite5962]

What a sexy car. Not as bad condition as some cars you show, wish I could save em- I'm no stranger to sheet metal fab.

[@ryurc3033]

The first car I ever messed with was a 62 chrysler, that had that goofy frowny face. The windshield and wing windows looked the same. Same push button trans. Frickin cool car.

[@closingtime]

Missing rear panel? Nah! , they were going to "Night-Wing" it! Desoto Camino

[@donkeyboy585]

Just found your channel. Damn glad to be aboard

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

What a shame that beautiful car is where it is! So many potential for that beauty!

[@davidpancerev9658]

Can restore if you can overcome the rust. Interior reasonably nice.

[@RC-cc4rv]

Get well Steve.....

[@paulsmith9198]

Look at all of that intact glass!

[@boataxe4605]

Looks restorable to me.

[@monroe7403]

I'm about 45 minutes from Milford and this thing is too cool and overall complete to let it rot, but I really don't have any room or time for it. Tempted to go look at it if it's still there.....

[@DanKirchner5150]

im from the rust belt originally and i never really saw any "old" cars driving around ,5-8 years and the doors would rust so bad you couldnt open them ,pick up beds flying off on the freeway lol all cars/trucks with 40-70 k =scrap

[@ryanheisey7719]

Damn what a shame that would be an awesome driver I love the forward look era cars thanks to the movie Christine got me into that era of Chrysler.

[@peters8758]

Before I was old enough to drive, I saw the back end of a gold finless "final gasp" Desoto in Canada. It was shaped like this one, but had a flat rear deck (we had a finless 1962 Chrysler Saratoga at the time, I always wished it was a finny 61). I couldn't convince Mom to pass that Desoto so I could get a look at its front design (maybe it would have had canted headlights or that upside down smile look?) Mom said it was just a car...

[@CR7659]

1961 was the last DeSoto and they had the same fins this car does. They have a bizarre double grille front end, it's like somebody just approved whatever because they no longer cared.

[@peters8758]

@@CR7659 Yes, the 1961 DeSoto front end was truly bizarre, and officially they were the last documented models, but I know what I saw and that's why I wanted Mom to pass it -- to see its face. Was it an escaped prototype of a cancelled 1962 model, or did they make a half-breed Canadian Desoto (a common assembly line trick at Chrysler Canada to share body components in a short run of low-volume products on a sister model's existing higher volume chassis)? They all did this up north, such as the Merc-Ford mix sold as a Meteor Niagara in Canada, or the fairly successful Pontiac Parisienne built in the narrow-track Canadian Impala factory). Did Chrysler Canada get the OK to put Desoto's nameplate on the flat back deck of a 1961 Plymouth Savoy chassis wearing Desoto trim as a low-volume test of a potential direction for recovery a few weeks before they decided to pull the plug on Desoto (while Mopar management was totally distracted in Detroit hurriedly redesigning the other marques on shorter wheelbases in a belief that GM was about to proclaim the freeway cruising long-body look was over and more practical city-sized cars would be the craze for 1962)? There's no evidence of this being true, but I can't explain what I saw any other way. Has anybody else heard wind of or possibly seen a flat-decked early sixties Desoto rear design???

[@danielulz1640]

@@peters8758 what you saw quite possibly was a canadian-built export model. Probably a Dodge custom 880 with DeSoto nameplates.

[@peters8758]

@@danielulz1640 The Dodge Custom 880 (and its sister, the Chrysler Newport) had character ridges where the fins used to grow, same as on the 1962 Chrysler Saratoga I was riding in. I would have recognised that look if the finless Desoto wore it. Instead it was smoother, which is why I suspect that its back end was from 1961 Plymouth Savoy pieces. Chrysler Canada wouldn't have projected selling more than a handful of Desoto's that year, and as orphans they would have been undefended as they went to the crusher by the mid-70's. It would be nice if somebody opened their grandpa's old barn today and...

[@danielulz1640]

@@peters8758 Chrysler did sell rebadged plymouth's as desoto's in some markets. I wonder what front clip they used, too bad you did not get to see it.

[@davidkoon767]

GREAT INFORMATION

[@greenfuzz13]

First year for the Adventurer was 1956.

[@hugieflhr03]

You can here gun shots in the background when he’s looking in the rear passenger door

[@fighterjetpilot34]

Nice

[@saxongreen78]

It's always sad when a complete car that looks ok on the outside is actually terminal...I recently had to hack up one of my Morris Majors because it was too rusty.

[@oldscoolcooldiecast1879]

Who ever got the tail panel needed the whole thing considering how hard they are to find but I’m guessing the back was robbed back when it was just another ole Car that there was plenty of

[@CR7659]

I don't know why you rob that unless yours is wrecked. They don't rot too bad back there. The trunk pan and rails are what rust the worst on these. I've even seen some that sat on the ground in the junkyard and none of that was left at all.

[@roberthill2219]

Would be a 383 raised block?

[@todddenio3200]

A friend of mine has a DeSoto 2 dr hardtop with a factory dual quad setup on it. Not sure if it is a 60 or a 61 though.

[@scootergeorge9576]

Wasn't the 1934 Chrysler Airflow unit body?

[@patricklines8872]

Nice car but I want that Jeep back by the tree line.

[@marvinmartian7281]

Steve the pro informer

[@SamFBM]

i need them dakotas windshield. ship them to the uk for me Steve ? lol ;)

[@timl9cas5696]

Much different from that Texas stash

[@joncpeters]

Many years ago you did a show where you went through the junk, sorry, salvage yard showing us what car to look for to get compatible parts. Like a "1980 T-bird to get the disc brake rear end set up for your Mustang" (that may not be correct btw) Do you have plans to re-visit that Junk yard Walk style? Are those old shows on KZbin?

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Jon, you may be referring to my Junkyard Crawl segments on the old Hot Rod Magazine TV from 1999 - 2004. They were sub segments in many episodes of Hot Rod Magazine TV and as far as I know, are NOT seen on KZbin. That said, I DO have VHS cassette tapes of many of these segments. Perhaps I'll get them transferred to video and post them on my KZbin channel. Would anyone watch? THANKS for your comments! -Steve Magnante

[@barnycanuck6234]

Steve if you get time could you share your definition of the various body letter designations ( ie 'G' body etc). Also could you clarify what the difference is between a small and big block Chevy motor. Seems like it's had it's share of confusing press over the last few decades.

[@KyBudd]

How do you know all this stuff? You amaze me!

[@cbumpus]

Love the gunshots! Steve you should be wearing flourescent! 🤣

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

DeSoto and Studebaker were marques my dad used to mention. At the start to 0.29 mins I noticed the white panel truck in the background has a Chevrolet badge yet looks like a Mitsubishi or Nissan. Are these trucks badged so in the US..??

[@alantuttle492]

Many izusu trucks had Chevy gas V8 engines I n the US

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

@@alantuttle492 You reminded me back in the 1980's Isuzu and GM collaborated on several vehicles, there was the Isuzu Belina(badged as Holden in Australia, N Zealand). With Vauxhall and Opel, Holden is also a GM company.

[@danielulz1640]

@@mohabatkhanmalak1161 was, no longer in existence. Vauxhall and Opel now owned by Peugeot.

[@bogginbrandon]

Steve, what’s the story on the Willy’s MB in the background?

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

It's funny, that was back in the day before they realized they could simply use the Higgs Bosonic particle indentrificationizer to quantify the quantum particulates to achieve the desired efficiency quark angles into the ever elusive semi-symmetrical dark matter encapsulated graphene carbon nanotubular phase charged diode enabled Googol-Plex!! Don't even get me started from when the neutrino-isolationating pulsarsyndrominated gravity waveform V-angular isotopes would suppress the micromated & crushed thalliumized green isotopiated slow burn sequences!

[@mikesr3407]

I think when I saw a guy burning electronic digicals , phonographs , stereo stuff , black smoke and green flames for sure ! I think what you are describing sounds alot like that !

[@mikesr3407]

I did have a 52 Chevy that the Tube Radio Worked ! A M only obviously , was so funny though , warming up !

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Blew that guys doors off into the zerxon stalks !

[@ceciljeffrey5165]

Exactly how I would have put it! NanNoo NanNoo

[@boataxe4605]

Let me guess, you work at area 51.

[@markbehr88]

Is the interiorfor sale?

[@lrq7927]

How about that jeep in the back ground?

[@goodolbiscuit]

JEEP IN THE BACK!!!!!

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

The DeSoto was a casualty of Chrysler Corporation's bad 1957 quality control ... sales of all of it's big cars took a tumble and thus models had to be discontinued. The shorter wheelbase 1958 Chrysler Windsor Dartline and cheaper 1961 Chrysler Newport finally doomed DeSoto.

[@haroldbirge6881]

You're going to be in history books one day your knowledge better hope there ain't no zombies out there they love brains

[@davidrossetti1061]

Were those gunshots?

[@evi1dav3]

Would you do the Panel Truck behind it?

[@artjones2498]

steve can that car be bought.....

[@tsmith578]

Hey Steve I have a question for you .. what year of the Chrysler Imperials had the unibody on a frame construction ? I have some friends that are really involved in demolition derby,. and I always have heard of this Imperial from the 60s that they call The Derby King, but have never seen one . please help .. Tim From Wisconsin .

[@CR7659]

he answers that above. The Imperial is the same frame and cowl from 57-66. The ones the derby guys really want are 64-65-66 cars, although the 67-68 are popular too. They just had a big derby in Cumberland MD and the finale was about 12 Imperials against some 90s Ford Panther platform Crown Vics. Most of the Imperials were 64-66 cars. I even once talked to a guy who had welded a roof on a convertible Imperial to run demo with it.

[@baezn88]

Steve, when will we see you back on Junk yard gold?

[@exlimey1417]

Saw this and wondered if MT has cancelled it? Would love to know as JYG is one of the 3 shows that make MT worth it.

[@baezn88]

@@exlimey1417 I strongly agree. That's one main reason why I watch M.T

[@frankjones4094]

He has said it's done for now. It didn't survive covid and Kevin Hart's new show.

[@killerb4202]

I believe he said hes no longer doing that show with MT, hench why he has his "junkyard crawl" thing going on now

[@exlimey1417]

@@frankjones4094 Wish I knew that last week before I renewed MToD.

[@Pohleece222]

Nice old girl

[@Greaseland]

The Fonz used to fix those.

[@boataxe4605]

Yeah, he was as good at car repair as he was at riding motorcycles. 😂

[@gyost8147]

Was the DeSoto saved?

[@pauldow1648]

Better duck ......

[@jamesblackwell703]

I got a use for that car body probably to far to get

[@nastybastardatlive]

The fins were always that angle on desotos. On all the Exner forward look cars actually.

[@frankjones4094]

Someone needs to harvest the fins/taillights and the roof/windshields for a kustom.