The DeSoto was named for which of these?
The Chrysler car was named for Hernando De Soto, the first European to cross the Mississippi River. Like "Plymouth," another Chrysler line, the name is an homage to early America.
What decade was the DeSoto introduced?
The DeSoto debuted in 1928. This was at the tail end of the Jazz Age, a time when a car symbolized the increasing "speed" of American life.
What decade was the DeSoto discontinued?
If you said "the 1950s," you were close. The DeSoto barely made it into the "Mad Men" era. The announcement that it was being canceled came in 1960, with the last models sold in 1961.
True or false: DeSoto was an independent brand which Chrysler took over.
DeSoto was a Chrysler product from the start. There were plenty of occasions in which smaller carmakers were folded into larger companies as the 20th century went on, but this wasn't one of them.
What was the first DeSoto model called?
We'd like to believe that the Six was named by a prescient engineer for the sexy Cylon on 2003's "Battlestar Galactica." But it appears to have been named for the number of cylinders.
How much horsepower did the first DeSoto car have?
That wasn't a whole lot, considering it had to power a rather heavy and non-aerodynamic body. By comparison, a Honda Civic today gets at least 150 horsepower from its four-cylinder engine.
Who was running Chrysler when the DeSoto was launched?
Walter Chrysler began his career at Buick, where he was a key man. He struck out on his own in the mid-1920s.
Which of these carmakers was NOT an early rival of the DeSoto?
Dodge was the main competitor for the mid-price DeSoto. Tuckers had their very brief day in the late 1940s, long after the early DeSotos rolled out.
What did the DeSoto logo show?
Fans of the car suggest that Chrysler was not aware of the full extent of DeSoto's heritage. His expeditions spread smallpox and other European diseases to a native population with no immunity, causing great suffering.
About how many DeSotos were sold in the first model year?
This first-year record stood until 1960! It's a testament to America's economic health in the Jazz Age that so many people could afford cars, which were still relatively new on the scene.
What innovation was 1934's Airflow known for?
The name says it all. The Airflow moved away from the boxy, hard-edged styles that dominated cars of that day.
What made the ride of an Airflow smoother than other cars?
The Airflow moved the engine forward, between the front wheels instead of behind them. With passengers sitting over the wheelbase and not the engine, the Airflow offered a smoother ride.
True or false: American car buyers were enthusiastic about the Airflow.
The Airflow's aerodynamic design was just a little too ahead of its time. The car did well in Europe, but not in the States.
What was the Airflow's grille compared to?
The grille of the Airflow started high on the hood and curved over the top edge to fall toward the front fender. Because it was also narrow in width, it resembled a waterfall.
Which DeSoto model followed the Airflow?
It's easy to remember this name if you think of "Airflow" + "mainstream." That's pretty much what the Airstream was: a more conventional-looking Airflow.
What feature did the 1942 DeSoto introduce to the world?
A prototype car had used them, but the 1942 DeSoto was the first mass-produced car to have them. By the 1970s, these were practically mandatory on sports cars.
Which game show host plugged the DeSoto on his show?
Of course, he didn't do this because he just loved the brand; it was part of a sponsorship deal. Marx urged viewers to take a test drive: "Tell 'em Groucho sent you."
Which year was the "Firedome" introduced?
The Firedome replaced the Custom line, which was discontinued in 1952. A Firedome would set you back about $3,000 -- a little more if you wanted the AM radio.
The Firedome broke with the previous two decade's DeSotos by offering a/an ______.
DeSoto had not produced cars with a V8 engine for nearly 20 years. The Firedome's was a Hemi.
What design element did the 1955 Fireflite have?
Tail fins were the classic car-design flourish of the 1950s. In that, the Fireflite was right on trend.
What year was the Adventurer introduced?
The Adventurer was the top-line model in the late 1950s. It offered a V8 engine, gold wheel covers and an electric clock. Swanky!
As a publicity stunt, Chrysler had Harry Hartz drive a DeSoto across the country _______.
Incredibly, this actually happened. It was a result of Chrysler's budding realization that the car was actually more aerodynamic, and got better mileage, when driven backward. This led to radical design changes.
Which Hollywood star was featured in DeSoto ads of 1939?
Ginger Rogers was one half of the famous dancing duo, with Fred Astaire. She claimed in the ads to drive a DeSoto. Astaire, meanwhile, drove a Rolls-Royce -- evidence that the gender pay gap has been with us a long time.
Full automatic transmission wasn't really a thing yet, but the "Simplimatic" transmission meant drivers didn't have to shift once the car was in motion. They still needed a clutch to get the car moving, however.
Why didn't DeSoto produce any cars in the early 1940s?
DeSoto's factories were making Sherman tank parts during WWII. Chrysler wasn't the only carmaker to suspend production during the war, of course -- all domestic car production ceased.
According to an ad, "__ out of 10 want a DeSoto again!"
Sounds impressive, doesn't it? Of course, as the "again" hints at, the statistic came from a survey of DeSoto owners. Always read the fine print, people!
In what year did DeSoto have its highest production numbers?
In 1949, DeSoto was still riding the wave of car demand that got started with the end of WWII. It made than 130,000 cars that year. Unfortunately, consumer tastes were shifting, and DeSoto's popularity had peaked.
The Sportsman featured what oddity on the hood?
We can't explain it either, but this early 1950s car had a small hood ornament of DeSoto with a little lightbulb behind the plastic face. It illuminated whenever the headlights were also on.
Which designer was responsible for the look of the late-50s DeSotos, including the Adventurer and Fireflite?
Exner was the chief stylist of Chrysler, overall. He was a fan of tail fins, which the Adventurer was known for.
True or false: The tail fins on DeSotos (and similar cars) actually served a mechanical purpose.
Though people who look back fondly at '50s cars think of them as a design element, tail fins had a purpose. They improved stability at high speeds. So do spoilers, popular in the '80s and beyond.
In 1959, two-tone DeSotos were available in ___ color combinations.
We're not even sure we can *think* of 190 color combinations. If you can, please list them in the comments!
Which of these styles did the DeSoto never offer?
Chrysler aimed to please with the DeSoto line. Over the life of the brand, you could buy any of the above three types, as well as a sedan.
Which of these contributed to the demise of the DeSoto?
Economic downturns are never good for car sales, especially in the mid-price range. That's squarely where the DeSoto landed.
Which brand replaced the DeSoto in the Chrysler lineup?
The Newport name had been used by Chrysler before. It was reintroduced as a low-priced alternative to the mid-price DeSoto.
Which of these states has a town named "DeSoto"?
Ten states have DeSotos, and there are also counties and national parks with the name. This is thought to be a reason Chrysler chose it: "Plymouth," too, is a very popular municipal name. Both names are easily recognized as "American."
