[Sticky] Welcome to New Forum Members!

Welcome to the club

The 59 is one of the more popular years within the club and information can be found with a little effort

FYI-your car was made on the Dodge lines in Detroit and Los Angles and the car is more Dodge than Desoto. For example the colors are Dodge, the front fenders are smaller than the Firedome/Fireflites, the rims and tires are smaller. Even the owner's manual is different

The Club has maintained a roster of 1959 cars and we ask for your help.

From your data plate, located by the passenger's side hood hinge, please advise the top and bottom lines which we will translate for you

Thanks

Greetings from Mid-Coast Maine!

My name is Alex, I'm 22, and I am the proud owner of a car more than double my age - a 1961 DeSoto 4 door hardtop. Originally an all Glacier White car with the blue interior, painted a duo navy and silver at some point before my ownership. My plan is to restore her to factory original, with maybe a dual exhaust and rumblier mufflers.

She's kinda rusty (inside out from damaged weatherstripping) with a few dents here and there, but she's all mine. I look forward to joining the club very soon and would be grateful for any knowledge or advice that you could pass my way!

Welcome to the Message Board and we look forward to your joining the NDC

The club maintains a roster of the 1961 production and we would like to add your car to the list just in case we don't already have it

Please post a copy of your data plate which should be the driver's side door hinge under the windshield trim

Top line should be similar to 0912 3037 614 10x and 2 letters2

Alexander,

Bob is correct... we have been trying to keep an accurate database of all 1961 DeSotos known to the club for the last decade or so. I have been working on this for a while in order to help us decipher production dates on the '61 DeSotos. Though we have a basic understanding about how they did things back then, the more cars listed in the database the more a pattern emerges as to how they did things on the assembly line in the fall of 1960! If you are not comfortable posting your information in the forum please consider emailing the information to me directly at desotodean@gmail.com. I need to get the VIN # and the data plate info and a pic of either of them may be easier than typing out the numbers. Options on the car would be nice too. Also, if you have it, I would like to get the engine # from you as well. It should be located behind the water pump on an embossed plate. I'll be happy to decipher your plate for you once you get me the information!

Thanks in advance and enjoy the car! Please post some pictures when you have them!

Dean

My car is already in your database, I'm pretty sure, but for those that are curious;
VIN: 61 13110752
SO Tag: 0920 3006 614 101 WW1
(I don't have the motor number handy, car is in storage for winter)

As Original - Glacier White (Code WW1), with the Blue (Code 101) interior.

Options and Accessories
-Factory-
Push-Button Radio, Push-Button Heater-Defroster, Deluxe Steering Wheel, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Push-Button TorqueFlite Transmission, Back-Up Lights, Sure-Grip Differential (not 100% sure about this one), Remote Control Outside Mirror, Safety-Padded Instrument Panel, Wheel Covers, 8.50 x 14 Tires, Undercoating
-Dealer-
Safety Seat Belts, Safety-Padded Visors, Child-Guard Rear Door Safety Locks, Outside Right Mirror, Rear Seat Speaker

Alexander,

You were correct that we had the car in the database prior to your ownership, but now it has your name next to it as well as some options that we didn't have listed. I would like that engine number whenever it is convenient for you to get it.

Pardon us for asking on EVERY 61 we see! Just not so sure we have it in the database so we ask each time one comes up....

Do you know how to translate the info on your data plate? I know you already know the paint and trim codes. Let me know if you want the rest.

You have a really neat car... glad to hear you are going to bring her back to original. Most items for the car are actually available since the car is, essentially, a Chrysler. However, if you need any parts, a friend of mine has a 61 for door hardtop that he is parting out. Just let me know and I will get you his information.

Thanks again and good luck!

Dean

I just bought my first classic car, a 1929 DeSoto 4 door sedan! I'm excited to learn about it and drive it when the weather improves. I live in Western Montana so we don't get warm weather until late April or early May. The previous owner was a member here for a time so you probably have a record of it in your database. the VIN is KY453Y. I know some of the history of the car in that it has been in Montana for several Decades and was restored in a shop in CA in the 1980s. It is still in beautiful condition and only needs a few minor parts.
I am working on making a business around this car. I'm going to use it as a limousine service for weddings in the summer. There are definitely some challenges to using a vintage car for commercial use. Finding insurance has been interesting. My wife and I have also put a lot of thought into how the car will be used. We decided to focus on weddings and stay away from high school prom since teenagers aren't exactly known for being careful. I look forward to learning more about DeSotos and connecting with other members of NDC.

Joel,

Hello and welcome to the message board! If not a member already please consider joining the club as well as the message board. Congratulations on the 29! Really neat car!

For insurance, try JC Taylor or Hagerty Insurance company.

I don't know if anyone in the club is actually doing a data base on the '29 DeSotos. If not someone should consider doing one...

Anyway, enjoy your 29 and the wedding idea should prove to be interesting and possibly lucrative!

Another new guy here...from Reno!

I've been into DeSoto's for about 30 years now, I started with my Dad as a teenager. I have a number of cars, 2 1948 Sedans, a 1947 coupe and 5 1946-48 Suburbans. I also have a 1955 Firedome Sedan and a few 1955-1956 cars.

My Dad just passed in August but I'm planning on keeping the DeSoto family tradition alive with my boys, ages 6 and 9. We have fun working on and driving the cars!

Hello Mark and welcome. Please send a few pics of your beauties when you can. We all like to see DeSotos other than our own so don't be bashful.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"

Hi Tim,

Thanks for getting me set up.  We have 2 Desoto's a 1950 convertible and a 32 convertible.  Site like your make having an older car like these so much easier to take care of and enjoy.  Thanks Frank

Very cool!  I have a '49 Convertible, however it's a basket case and I'm not sure when it will make it off the back burner that it's been on since my dad bought it in the 70s.  Ugh!

Post some pictures if you can!

Hello All,

I have just recently joined your ranks as a DeSoto owner. My name is J.D. and I'm located in Orange County, CA. And I am a long winded individual. Sorry in advance.

Before I get started with the questions, I thought I would introduce myself. I've had some experience with classic cars, mostly VW, Porsche, and Ford. I recently sold my 1967 Mustang to a friend as I have a family now(2 girls, 1 and 4 Y/O) and need something with more back seat space and a little lower power to brakes ratio.

About the Car: I purchased a 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman from a classic car dealer here in Southern California( https://www.vintagecarcollector.com/vehicles/1738/1955-desoto-fireflite-s21). I have not yet received the car, but I paid someone to inspect it for me(more on that later). The car does not look to have been through much of a restoration, but a few things are not original.
- The motor is a 383 on the original Powerflite.
- The car has been resprayed and some of the brightwork was removed.
- Previous 12V conversion(left original wiring, but wrapped each wire in electrical tape)

Given that my experience with classic cars has been VW, Porsche, and Ford, I'm used to having a lot of reprodution parts and an over-active community. That means I will have a lot of questions on where to find kits/parts. I'm not very mechanically inclined, but I have a group of friends and family who can rebuild the space shuttle with mopar parts if necessary so I'm covered there.

I will search the forum and google before asking questions, I know the rules.

As for my projects planned so far, since the engine is not original and I do not have the money to source an original 291 and install it, I think I will be going forward with a mild restomod. Below is a list of the projects I'm planning (Prioritized). These do not count day 1 when I will replace all fluids, wires, plugs, ?grease the chassis?. The car has been left for a year in the dealership only driven 10 miles so I know it needs attention.

1. Rewire the car, 12v on the original 6v wiring and the wires were just wrapped in electrical tape. Safety reasons.
2. Fix Parking Brake (inspector says it was stuck but I assume it just needs adjusting)
3. Tint the rear windows (Remember the niñas I mentioned earlier, well we are fair skinned and it gets hot in SoCal)
4. Disc brakes on the front. (I've already spoken with Old Daddy at Rusty Hope so once I know my spindles, the order will be made)
5. Cooling for the engine (Either aluminum with electric fans, or find a shroud for now and upgrade later but again, it gets hot in L.A. Traffic)
6. Install radio as there is a factory radio delete (Custom Autosound USA-740)
7. Sound deadener(amazon basics, don't judge) and carpet (OCautocarpets.com essex kit)
8. Electronic ignition (Pertronix)
9. Replace Pedal covers? as they are quite worn and degrading
10. Fix heater and defroster knobs (ordered replacements but don't think I'll need them, but I like to hoard parts in case someone needs them.)
11. Have Temp and Oil Pressure gauges fixed along with clock (Have aftermarket temp and pressure gauges, but I want to remove those)
12. Install A/C kit (It gets hot in SoCal, something that nobody will notice, not sure which one yet though, suggestions?)
13. Have a few pieces of brightwork rechromed
14. Powerflite to Torqueflite swap (If I can keep my original shift lever placement)
15. Reupholster interior and trunk

I KNOW this list will change as things "come up", but that is my plan so far. I do not intend to make a show car, just something for date nights with my wife, something fun to ride in the local classic car club parades(They do this for birthdays, etc. during Covid), and something to take to cars and coffee once covid is over so my daughters can grow up around classic cars.

As of yesterday, I'm sure I made the right decision to purchase the car as the inspector(told you we would come back to him) called me 5 days after he provided me the report to ask if I'm buying the car as he wanted to if I wasn't. Well, that makes me more confident in my purchase.

If anyone has recommendations for other forums, please share. I know the 383 is not stock for DeSoto, but at least it's still Mopar and not a chevy crate motor. I love advice, and constructive criticism. I'm not an expert in this field and I'm doing my best to keep it as separate from my work life as possible(I work with computers).

Once the car is in my hands, lots of pictures will follow. Just very excited and couldn't wait to introduce myself.

J.D. 

Lake Forest, Ca

@jdabbey That is a sharp looking car. You are on the right track with the improvements/updates you are planning. I agree that the first  priority is to rewire the car. It sounds like a cobbled deal with 6 volt wires taped. ?? Who does that? The parking brake should be on the back of the transmission if the original Powerflite is still installed. I would definitely go with a disc brake conversion and add a dual master cylinder for safety. I have converted two of my cars to front disk brakes using AAJ Brakes kits. No need to change spindles using the AAJ setup. Since you are adding a/c I would go with an aluminum radiator that includes 2 fans with shrouds. I have a BeCool on my 66 Polara and it does a fantastic job. You will need it since you are installing A/C. 

Keep us updated with your progress. 

@regisbodnar IDFK who does that, I just know that it's my turn to do my thing to her. And first thing is start shopping for a rewire kit.