1960-1961 DeSoto specifications
DeSoto had a promising beginning, but internal competition within Chrysler Corporation would lead to its demise. However, other internal factors caused the marque to linger after the decision to drop it had been made, which meant that DeSoto's last two model years were built with its short-lived future a foregone conclusion. Here are the 1960-1961 DeSoto specifications, covering the brand's ill-fated last two years.
 The 1961 DeSoto was available as a coupe (shown) or sedan, but without a model name. |
1960 DeSoto
| Weight (lbs.)
|
Price (new)
|
Number built
|
|
| Fireflite 4-door sedan
|
3,865
|
$3,017
|
9,032
|
| Fireflite hardtop coupe
|
3,885
|
$3,102
|
3,494
|
| Fireflite hardtop sedan
|
3,865
|
$3,167
|
1,958
|
| Total Fireflite
|
14,484
|
||
| Adventurer 4-door sedan
|
3,895
|
$3,579
|
5,746
|
| Adventurer hardtop coupe
|
3,945
|
$3,663
|
3,092
|
| Adventurer hardtop sedan
|
3,940
|
$3,727
|
2,759
|
| Total Adventurer
|
11,597
|
||
| Total DeSoto
|
26,081
|
1961 DeSoto
| Weight (lbs.)
|
Price (new)
|
Number built
|
|
| Hardtop coupe
|
3,760
|
$3,102
|
911
|
| Hardtop sedan
|
3,820
|
$3,167
|
2,123
|
| Total
|
3,034
|
1961 DeSoto Selected Specifications
General
| Wheelbase (in.) | 122.0 |
| Overall length (in.) | 215.6 |
| Overall height (in.) | 54.8 |
| Overall width (in.) | 79.4 |
| Tread, front/rear (in.) | 61.0/59.7 |
| Construction layout | front-engine, rear drive |
| Type | unitized body with box-section engine mount |
| Body material | steel |
Powertrain
| Engine type | 90-degree overhead-valve V-8 |
| Material | cast-iron block and heads |
| Bore and stroke (in.) | 4.13x3.38 |
| Displacement (cubic inches) | 361 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 265 @ 4,400 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm | 380 @ 2,400 |
| Compression ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Main bearings | 5 |
| Carburetor | 2-barrel Stromberg downdraft |
| Valve lifters | hydraulic |
| Standard transmission | 3-speed manual, synchromesh on top two gears, column-mounted shifter |
| Standard transmission ratios | 1st, 2.55:1; 2nd, 1.49:1; 3rd, 1.00:1; reverse, 3.34:1 |
| Optional transmission | 3-speed automatic with torque converter, dashboard-mounted pushbuttons |
| Electrical system | 12-volt |
Chassis
| Front suspension | independent with torsion bars, tubular shock absorbers |
| Rear suspension | solid axle, semielliptic leaf springs, tubular shock absorbers |
| Brake type | 4-wheel hydraulic internal-expanding, cast-iron drums |
| Drum diameter (in.) | 11 |
| Tire size | 8.00x14 |
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