Re: [FWDLK] 1960 DeSota Project

I got into Buicks before I converted to Mopar. My brother brought home the first DeSoto ..... a 60 Fireflite 2HT. Doing as we did a lot back then, road trips to forgotten wrecking yards were in order and I remember a LOT of the old yard owners laughing us off, saying they crushed that stuff out years before and often calling them DeSota's or more accurately, something more like "d'sodas". My brother named that first car "Soda" on account of it !

Besides the overall better styling and at that point unknown better engineering of the DeSotos over my Buicks, I bailed out and made the change to DeSoto largely based on the reaction people had when you said you drove a DeSoto. "Buick" got no reaction at all, but when you said "DeSoto", they would get that faraway look in their eyes and you could just see the "wheels" turning inside, trying to conjure up an image of what a DeSoto looked like.

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Whitman" <Robert.Whitman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:32:50 AM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] 1960 DeSota Project

When I bought my '60 Adventurer in '97, it was advertised as a "1960 Dodge Desota". The old guy had owned several DeSotos over the decades. It seems less a problem with the younger folks. The older guys seem to be the ones that spell it wrong. They have probably been spelling it that way since the '50s('40s,30s). They 'spell it like it sounds'. As the older generation fades away, I think the misspelling of 'DeSoto' will also fade away. (not that I am wishing away that generation!)

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill K. [mailto:pontiac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 2:21 AM
Subject: Re: 1960 DeSota Project

You're going to be searching for a long, long time as long if you keep
spelling it "desota" ... the car is a DeSotO. Named for the Spanish
explorer. I can see that mistake being somewhat understandable given they
haven't made one in 50 years, but when you have one in your driveway/garage?

Last set of taillight lenses I ran into went on eBay and sold about $40 a
shot, even missing the chrome V's that go in the ends of them. Might be a
place to look. Next choice might be to see if they're reproduced, I believe
it was George Laurie in Australia who was doing some of these Chrysler
lenses, not cheap, but at least they exist.

And worst case, the slightly more common '60 Chrysler taillights will bolt
right in if you change the bezel. Those have been reproduced, too. The '61
backup light I think also will bolt up, you'd have to dye or paint the
lenses red though.

Bill K.

----- Original Message -----
> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:02:27 -0500
> From: Ray Jones <hurst300@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: 1960 DeSota Project
>
> Just Google for any club (anything, for that matter) you might want. I
> just did and here's one:
> http://www.desoto.org/
>
> Join and enjoy. They have a classified section which is what you want.
> Ray
>
>
>
> On Aug 21, 2010, at 8:46 PM, Jim Ruckdashel wrote:
>
> I just bought a 60 DeSota Fireflite 2 DRHT that I am going to restore. I
> need a to know how to contact the DeSota club because I am in hopes that
> they may be able to help me find some parts.
> I need both parking light assemblies ( I have the lenses), both R&L upper
> grill bars( I have the lower ones with the DESOTA lettering on them) and
> both tail light lenses. I might need a 361 engine too. Mine is frozen, but
> I am in hopes that I can break it loose.
> Any help will be appreciated. Jim 58 Plymouth Belvedere 2drht.
>
>
> Jim Ruckdashel
> 5149 Laurel View Drive
> Winston-Salem, NC 27104
> 336.765.1678
> Jruckdashel@xxxxxxxx
>
> *************************************************************
>

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