factory airconditioning 06:28, 08:19 (outlet left side), 09:04 (right side on top of dash are two upper outlets with great function), and 9:55 (temperature controls with buttons). The latter Chrysler products had PARK as a lever putting you into neutral and locking the car's position.
When you see an example this pristine, it's impossible not to appreciate the beauty of its design. I love Desotos, especially '57 - '60. This '61 is absolutely amazing to behold.
'61 DeSoto one of my all-time faves! He's a little off on the no Park thing. In '62 through the end of the pushbutton in '64, there was finally a 'Park' selection available. Thanks to you & the owner for showing this mighty rig!!!
It always amazed me how all of the car manufacturers retooled their factories to put out a new body style every single year! Now we are lucky to get a new design every ten years!
9:24...There are levers on those A/C "turrets"(pods) to adjust the direction of airflow left or right. They don't need to be rotated. I suppose those up and down pods were to increase visibility when they are stowed down, or perhaps saved on production cost. 11:20...Didn't the last year of MOPAR "typewriter" transmission controls have P for park in 1963? 12:15...Wow! I never knew about those EBS markers on the radio before. They oughta still do that esp since WWIII is looking more likely than ever now. 18:00...Had all the marques survived, I believe the Big 3 competition would have stacked up as Imperial vs Cadillac vs Continental...Chrysler vs Buick vs Lincoln...DeSoto vs Oldsmobile vs Edsel...Dodge vs Pontiac vs Mercury...and Plymouth vs Chevrolet vs Ford.
We had a New Yorker back in 60, and the similarities are obvious, but this was much more striking to look at now. The grill is a love it or hate it item, but now seems so right. But do miss the space globe instrument panel.
I remember, in the early 70s, in Motor Trend magazine, in their "Antiques and Classics" column, they featured the 61 DeSoto. They talked about the possibility of some Adventures that somehow were sold in that model year, and how some people claimed to have seen them, but none seem to have been found. In that era, I used to see a 61 DeSoto 4 door hardtop - the Adventurer started offering 4 doors in 1960 - with gold, instead of chrome, grilles and "DeSoto" nameplates in gold, rather than chrome. I also, a few years later, saw a 61 DeSoto with the 5 chrome strips on the deck lid, instead of the single strip and 4 ridges. Was I looking at Pilot Line cars that somehow escaped and were sold?
Great video - probably the most loaded DeSoto ever produced in 1961. I wish you would have covered the auto-pilot control with the rest of the interior features. Nice job!
@AJ67901 auto pilot is 1961 speak for cruise control. I'm thinkin' you knew that. My buddy had a '61 Imperial with auto pilot, I didn't get a chance to try it. This De Soto is a knockout, the end of the line for this brand, another Randy Guyer gem.
What a beautiful car! We have a 60 and a 61 Chrysler NewYorker two doors....Both similar cars to this except being the longer wheelbase.......And if my mind serves me correctly...the higher back drivers seat was call Chrysler Command seating, cause the driver was in command...... I would definately own one of these if the chance ever came up....
There was one at Mecum Schaumberg 7 or 8 years ago. I walked past it numerous times thinking it was a Chrysler. Finally wait what? It's a De Soto? In my nearly 60 years I had never seen a '61 De Soto. It wasn't as nice as this one, obviously.
I've always found these last DeSoto's somewhat odd. That grill is sure odd. And those taillights. Otherwise it's pure Chrysler of that period. Packard and Imperial had their AC on top of the dash as well. I think Packard introduced both AC and electric windows in the 30's. You have to wonder why Chrysler even bothered to design the car, and put it into production for such a short time. The same thing happened to the 60 Edsel.
I was boy during this, in my opinion, golden age. When I see a car like this, I get less and less interested in look-alike plastic SUVs packed with computers.
I have to say that single horizontal nostril above the grill is visually disturbing. I can think of many other ways that Chrysler grill could have been successfully modified to look more like a De Soto. They must have had a very small budget.
Sadly by 1961 the high fins were dated. Imperial competed with Cadillac, Chrysler competed with Buick, Desoto competed with Oldsmobile, Pontiac Competed with Dodge, Plymouth competed with Chevrolet
I've never seen a car that clean, under the hood was immaculately restored.
All of Randy’s cars are immaculate
Wow, that's one loaded DeSoto!
I think they emptied the parts bin on this one
factory airconditioning 06:28, 08:19 (outlet left side), 09:04 (right side on top of dash are two upper outlets with great function), and 9:55 (temperature controls with buttons). The latter Chrysler products had PARK as a lever putting you into neutral and locking the car's position.
They were pretty loaded cars! DeSoto was just a step below Chrysler above Dodge. They were very nice cars!
@ very nice. Pinnacle of “style”
Showroom New Another Randy Beauty!
Truth! He’s got an amazing collection
Cars were so beautiful back then.
Very true
later chrysler push button did have a park option
Ok
Most amazing car ever built 😮
It’s pretty incredible
Great details on the cars. Thanks!
Or as Randy calls the “gee galls”
Hey Lou. Hope you’re doing well. Thanks for dropping by our little channel
Randy has all the FANTASTIC Chrysler products.
He has some amazing vehicles
When you see an example this pristine, it's impossible not to appreciate the beauty of its design. I love Desotos, especially '57 - '60. This '61 is absolutely amazing to behold.
We couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching
Like this DeSoto, I was born in 1961! What a great year!
Now that was funny! Right?
What a fascinating vehicle. Love it.
Awesome car. Height of Virgil Exner design.
'61 DeSoto one of my all-time faves! He's a little off on the no Park thing. In '62 through the end of the pushbutton in '64, there was finally a 'Park' selection available. Thanks to you & the owner for showing this mighty rig!!!
Thanks for the info and thanks for watching
I LOVE THE 1961 DESOTO!
Gorgeous automobile!
Breathtaking! And Randy is right. The look does grow on you.
I’m still waiting…the front takes a bit more time
Beautiful car with just about every factory option. Practically a unicorn.
Indeed!
You ain't kiddin'!
💋 To the Max! Randy has some extremely nice cars.
19 of the most intriguing and captivating cars you’ll see!
Beautiful example of the late big fin era!
1000% on point!
Absolutely beautiful car. Talk about state of the art mechanical 👍👍
We agree 10000%
It always amazed me how all of the car manufacturers retooled their factories to put out a new body style every single year! Now we are lucky to get a new design every ten years!
Exactly right
What a beautiful car
Agreed!
9:24...There are levers on those A/C "turrets"(pods) to adjust the direction of airflow left or right. They don't need to be rotated. I suppose those up and down pods were to increase visibility when they are stowed down, or perhaps saved on production cost.
11:20...Didn't the last year of MOPAR "typewriter" transmission controls have P for park in 1963?
12:15...Wow! I never knew about those EBS markers on the radio before. They oughta still do that esp since WWIII is looking more likely than ever now.
18:00...Had all the marques survived, I believe the Big 3 competition would have stacked up as Imperial vs Cadillac vs Continental...Chrysler vs Buick vs Lincoln...DeSoto vs Oldsmobile vs Edsel...Dodge vs Pontiac vs Mercury...and Plymouth vs Chevrolet vs Ford.
Thanks for the info
Probably the most difficult car to get to that point
True
⚜ Hot dog! I want you to look at this old car! Man, I wish I was in this car! I LOVE IT!
It’s an amazing thing. Was beautiful to see and awesome to drive
Great car! Thanks for sharing it with us. New subscriber here. I Love The Mopar line of cars.
Welcome to the channel and we love these cars too…those far out designs!!!
@@TwoGuysandaRide Thanks
A STUNNING rare highest optioned car. I am a Mopar fan. It’s simply the BOMB. ❤
I agree with ya, it’s a pretty stunning ride.
I'll say!
We had a New Yorker back in 60, and the similarities are obvious, but this was much more striking to look at now. The grill is a love it or hate it item, but now seems so right. But do miss the space globe instrument panel.
They were definitely fashion statements to say the least
That was a Chrysler only dash. Kool wasn't it?
@@jamesbosworth4191 not sure, this the first up close look for me.
I remember, in the early 70s, in Motor Trend magazine, in their "Antiques and Classics" column, they featured the 61 DeSoto. They talked about the possibility of some Adventures that somehow were sold in that model year, and how some people claimed to have seen them, but none seem to have been found. In that era, I used to see a 61 DeSoto 4 door hardtop - the Adventurer started offering 4 doors in 1960 - with gold, instead of chrome, grilles and "DeSoto" nameplates in gold, rather than chrome. I also, a few years later, saw a 61 DeSoto with the 5 chrome strips on the deck lid, instead of the single strip and 4 ridges. Was I looking at Pilot Line cars that somehow escaped and were sold?
Possibly so? Hard to know for sure
Great video - probably the most loaded DeSoto ever produced in 1961. I wish you would have covered the auto-pilot control with the rest of the interior features. Nice job!
Thanks for the compliment. Its a well optioned car for sure
@AJ67901 auto pilot is 1961 speak for cruise control. I'm thinkin' you knew that. My buddy had a '61 Imperial with auto pilot, I didn't get a chance to try it. This De Soto is a knockout, the end of the line for this brand, another Randy Guyer gem.
Fabulous.
Indeed!
the ribbed trunk lid was available on 61 newports also
Cool, thanks for the info
Was a flytesweep trunk lid option available for this year?
I’m not sure. Hopefully Randy will see this comment and let us know
Love it from the rear. Love it from the profile. Loath it from the front.
Yeah. The front end wasn’t its best angle
I agree. They combined '59 Lincoln and '59 Chevy in front with disastrous results. That killed DeSoto.
The front end looks horrible. @TwoGuysandaRide
The front end looks horrible.
R U kidding, it all looks overwrought and hideous.
Very nice. 👍👍👍
Agreed.
Where do you take this vehicle for parts and service?
He has both a restoration guy and mechanic
What a beautiful car! We have a 60 and a 61 Chrysler NewYorker two doors....Both similar cars to this except being the longer wheelbase.......And if my mind serves me correctly...the higher back drivers seat was call Chrysler Command seating, cause the driver was in command...... I would definately own one of these if the chance ever came up....
Awesome cars. Thanks for sharing
The high Driver Seat also had the name COMMAND Seat.
Cool. Thanks for the info
Gorgeous side view. Beautiful rear view. Front view? Well...hm.
lol you’ll get no argument there
There was one at Mecum Schaumberg 7 or 8 years ago. I walked past it numerous times thinking it was a Chrysler. Finally wait what? It's a De Soto? In my nearly 60 years I had never seen a '61 De Soto. It wasn't as nice as this one, obviously.
I've always found these last DeSoto's somewhat odd. That grill is sure odd. And those taillights. Otherwise it's pure Chrysler of that period. Packard and Imperial had their AC on top of the dash as well. I think Packard introduced both AC and electric windows in the 30's. You have to wonder why Chrysler even bothered to design the car, and put it into production for such a short time. The same thing happened to the 60 Edsel.
I’m thinking they had already put so much time effort and money into design and tooling that they had to use up the parts they had available
I know with Edsel, it was due to dealership agreements.
It was actually a Park lever installed underneath the buttons
Thanks
I love DeSoto cars and I hate they stopped producing them! This was equivalent to Buick or Oldsmobile more or less only sexier
We love them too! Thanks for watching
I was boy during this, in my opinion, golden age. When I see a car like this, I get less and less interested in look-alike plastic SUVs packed with computers.
Agreed!
Only the front detail where it is written "Desoto" wasn't a gd idea
It’s definitely a controversial design
I have to say that single horizontal nostril above the grill is visually disturbing.
I can think of many other ways that Chrysler grill could have been successfully modified to look more like a De Soto.
They must have had a very small budget.
It’s was then and still is today and love it or leave it design element
Sadly by 1961 the high fins were dated. Imperial competed with Cadillac, Chrysler competed with Buick, Desoto competed with Oldsmobile, Pontiac Competed with Dodge, Plymouth competed with Chevrolet
Thanks for the info
Factory air,never seen that
Rare addition. They emptied the parts bin on this one
Joe Biden's latest car
Haha…not if you knew Randy.
Yikes that voice
He’s a true Minnesotan and that’s a good thing
A-W-E-S-O-M-E ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
1000% agreed