1961 DeSoto Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Only 2- door and 4-door Fireflite hardtops were available this year.
1961 – Finis For DeSoto
Like Ford’s Edsel in the year before, the 1961 model was only created to use up the stock of pre-ordered trim and any fleet purchases. After 3,034 cars were produced, the brand was mercifully put out of its misery. Sadly, Plymouth/DeSoto dealers lost an upscale car nameplate.
1961 DeSoto Resources
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1961 DeSoto Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1961 DeSoto:
| A Goldenrod Yellow | |
| B Black | |
| C Morning Blue | |
| D Mediterranean Blue | |
| E Ensign Blue | |
| J Tangier Aqua | |
| K Surf Turquoise | |
| L Platinum Gray | |
| P Regal Red | |
| W Glacier White | |
| Y Tahiti Tan | |
| Z Bahama Bronze |
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1961 DeSoto Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1961 DeSoto
New styling had reflected a minor facelift of the 1960 Adventurer series, with Chrysler-like themes. Rear tail lamp design was altered, as were the body side trim. The fins were modified just ever so slightly, and canted headlamps were adopted and integrated into an unusual and frankly, quite unattractive double tiered grille. Horizontal and unadorned front bumpers were fitted.
It was for all intents and purposes, a futile exercise, because DeSoto’s long and illustrious history came to an end on November 30, 1960, just 47 days after the 1961 models were introduced. It is said that the cars produced were done to fill existing orders.
1961 DeSoto Factoids
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DeSoto’s long and illustrious history came to an end on November 30, 1960, just 47 days after the 1961 models were introduced. The 3,034 cars produced were done to fill existing orders.
All 1961 DeSotos received a de-tuned version of the venerable 361 CID V-8 developing 265 HP. There were no engine options.
1961 DeSoto Facts – Models Offered
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FIREFLITE SERIES RS1-L (8-Cylinder wedge-head V-8): Series nomenclature disappeared for all practical purposes. The two available models were based on the former Fireflites but were referred to only as DeSotos. The Adventurer and its performance options were gone – with only the yeoman 361 2-barrel left to propel the cars.
Standard equipment was included of turn signals, front foam seat cushions and five 8.00 x 14 Rayon black tires. Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission was standard, a three-speed manual transmission was a deduct option.
The Fireflite was available was available as a 4-door Hardtop and 2-door Hardtop.
1961 DeSoto Facts – Engines
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Fireflite V-8: Overhead valves. Wedge Cylinder Heads. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 361 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.12″ x 3.38″.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 265 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 252° Exhaust 252°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.390″ (Exhaust) 0.390″.
Carburetor: Carter 2-barrel WWC MODEL 380943. NOTE: This was a California spec carburetor. A standard spec carburetor could be special ordered, Ball & Ball model BBD-3132S.
1961 DeSoto Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: All – 122.0″.
- Front tread: All – 61.00″.
- Rear tread: All – 59.70″.
- Overall length: Fireflite – 215.6″”.
- Overall width: All – 79.4″.
- Overall height: All – 4-door Hardtop 55.0″; 2-door Hardtop 54.8″.
- Tires: All – 8.00 x 14.
1961 DeSoto Facts – Powertrains
- Torqueflite Transmission Ratios
- 1st –2.45:1, 2nd – 1.45:1, 3rd – 1.00:1; Reverse – 2.20.
- Three-Speed Manual Transmission Ratios (Fireflite Only)
- 1st –2.49:1, 2nd – 1.59:1, 3rd – 1.00:1; Reverse – 3.34:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- Fireflite: 3-Speed Automatic Transmission – 2.93:1; Optional 3.23:1.
1961 DeSoto Powertrain Options
Torqueflite automatic transmission was standard on all models, and a three-speed manual transmission was a deduct option.
1961 DeSoto Facts – Significant Options
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- Air conditioning including heater ($501).
- Air conditioning with Basic Group ($403).
- Backup lights ($12).
- Basic Group, including heater; radio; power steering; power brakes; windshield washer; variable speed windshield wipers; electric clock and wheel covers ($390).
- Crankcase vent system ($5).
- DeLuxe Group, including left-hand remote control outside rear view mirror; rear foam seat cushion; rear bumper guards; padded instrument panel; sill and wheelhouse moldings and stone deflectors ($93).
- Easy Grip steering wheel ($10).
- Four-door roof molding package ($14).
- Full wheel covers ($19).
- Heater ($98).
- Left-hand remote control outside rear view mirror ($18).
- Light package. including glove box. trunk, map, backup, parking brake lights ($23).
- Padded instrument panel ($21).
- Permanent anti-freeze ($5).
- Power brakes ($43).
- Power steering ($106).
- Power windows ($106).
- Push button radio ($89).
- RCA Automatic Record Player, radio required ($52).
- Six-way power seat ($101).
- Solex glass ($43).
- Sure-Grip differential ($50).
1961 DeSoto Downloads and Images
1961 DeSoto Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1961 DeSoto 4-dr Hardtop
Like the 2-door, the 1961 DeSoto 4-door Hardtop seemed thrown together, but in the short run, 2,123 were sold.
1961 DeSoto 2-dr Hardtop
The 1961 DeSoto Hardtop still retained the crisp styling of the previous year, however the front fascia was clumsy in execution and the rear appeared to be a last-minute change. Even so, in 6-weeks of production, 911 were sold.