1960 DESOTO CARS DESCRIBED 1960 DESOTO - GENERAL: Due to decreasing sales and the Recession, the decision was made to integrate the Chrysler and DeSoto bodies/styling with that of the lower-level Chrysler cars for 1960, standardizing on the 122.0" wheelbase. The result was that in 1960 DeSoto compressed their lineup drastically. Gone were the two lower-price entries, the Firesweep and the Firedome. The Fireflite now replaced the Firedome and the nameplate Adventurer replaced the Fireflite in the lineup. There were no convertibles or station wagons offered. The stand- alone performance Adventurer ceased to exist, though the "Ram Charge 383 CID high performance engine was still available to all models in each line except for stations wagons. The unit-body was the same as the Chrysler's low-price Windsor car line, with only trim, the grille and tail lights being different. However, the interiors were unique to DeSoto, but most of the options could also be found in the Chrysler Windsor as well. The new styling was crisp and pleasant - and just unique enough to be perceived as a separate line. The look was considered a cleaner rendition of the dart-shaped theme of 1957-59. The major problem was that the Chrysler Windsor models were priced from $3200 to $38,00, right next to DeSoto's range of $3,000 to $3,700 - and certainly the Chrysler badge was more prestigious. INNOVATIONS: Unit body construction was standard across the Chrysler Corporation line - except the Imperial - this year. The big news of the year was the use of ram induction with dual four-barrel carburetors as an option on the 383 CID V-8. 1960 FIREFLITE SERIES PS1-L (8-Cylinder wedge-head V-8): Fireflite, formerly the DeSoto high-priced line, was now the low rung model. It is certain this move confused loyal DeSoto buyers. Strangely, Fireflites had no signature scripts for identification. Plain full-length moldings adorned the body sides with no sweep spear inserts. The front fascia treatment was dominated by a drop-center bumper, a flat but distinctively shaped grille and horizontal dual headlamps. The fins on the rear fenders were canted outward and ended with boomerang-shaped notches that housed the tail lamp lenses. There were no convertibles or station wagons in the line and the Sportsman designation for pillarless styles was dropped adding even less distinction. Standard equipment was included of turn signals, front foam seat cushions and five 8.00 x 14 Rayon black tires. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission was standard, a huge drop off over the previous line's three speed Torqueflite. A three- speed manual transmission was optional as well as the three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission. 1960 ADVENTURER SERIES PS3-M (8-Cylinder wedge-head V-8): The three models in the Adventurer series had "Adventurer" in script fixed to the tailfins. Two-tone paint treatments were limited to the roof being finished in a contrasting color. Standard equipment included all features found on Fireflites plus a padded dash panel, variable speed windshield wipers, full wheel covers, special steering wheel, a roof molding package, rear stone deflectors, bumper guards, backup lamps, rear foam seat cushions, and Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. The standard engine was what would have been the 1959 Firedome's 383 2-barrel V-8 – hardly a performance piece. Two V-8 upgrades were available. MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA: Fireflite serial numbers. Fireflite vehicle numbers were 7103-100001 and up. Motor numbers started with MS3- S 10001. Adventurer serial numbers. Adventurer Serial numbers started with 7203-100001. Motor numbers started with PS3-M10001. Serial number codes were on the left front door hinge pillar post. The engine numbers were positioned at the top of the engine block under the water outlet elbow. Two-digit code numbers were provided for positive identification of body style type. See Production Figures Chart for body style ID numbers. BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS: A Yuma Yellow B Black C Jamaica Blue D Arctic Blue F Willow Green G Cypress Green J Marine Aqua K Marine Turquoise L Silverglow N Smoke Pearl P Winterberry Red T Calcutta Ivory U Gabardine W Shell White Y Adobe Rust Z Russet Red Continued – Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. DESOTO ENGINES: DeSoto Fireflite Base V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 361 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.12" x 3.38". Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 295 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 390 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter BBD two-barrel, model number 2923S. DeSoto Fireflite optional "Turbo-Flash" V-8 and Adventurer Base V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 383 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.25" x 3.38". Compression ratio: 10.1:1. Horsepower: 305 at 4600 RPM. Torque: 410 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter BBD two-barrel, model number 2923S. DeSoto Fireflite and Adventurer optional "Mark I" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 383 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.25" x 3.38". Compression ratio: 10.1:1. Horsepower: 325 at 4600 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters, long duration camshaft. Carburetor: Carter AFB four-barrel, model number 2968S. All Adventurer and Fireflite Torqueflite equipped models only. DeSoto Adventurer Only Optional "Ram Charge" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 383 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.25" x 3.38". Compression ratio: 10.1:1. Horsepower: 330 at 4800 RPM. Torque 460 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters, high lift, long duration camshaft. Carburetors: Two (2) Carter AFB four-barrels, model number 2903S. CHASSIS: Wheelbase: 122". Overall length: Fireflite 215.4". Fireflite with optional bumper guards and Adventurer 217.0". Front tread: 61.0". Rear tread: 59.7". Tires: 8.00 x 14. Optional 8.50 x 14. POWERTRAIN OPTIONS: Three-speed manual transmission was the base price unit on Fireflite. It was considered a special-order feature yet automatic transmission was referred to as standard equipment, although it cost extra. Powerflite and Torqueflite were optional on Fireflite. Torqueflite automatic transmission was standard and included in the price of Adventurer models. Manual transmission models used 3.54:1 rear axle as standard Powerflite automatic transmission models used 3.31:1 rear axle as standard. Torqueflite automatic transmission models used 2.93:1 rear axle as standard, with 3.31:1 as optional. Sure-Grip was optional on all rear axle combinations. SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS: 383 CID V-8 with ram-induction, dual four-barrel V-8 with dual exhausts and 12-inch brakes in Adventurer only ($283). 383 CID V-8, with four-barrel and dual exhausts and Torqueflite required, in Fireflite ($85); Adventurer ($54) Automatic swivel seats ($106). Backup lights for Fireflite ($12). Easy Grip steering wheel ($10). Fireflite four-door roof molding ($14). Fireflite two-door roof molding package ($38). Front fender ornament ($9). Heater ($98). Left outside rear-view mirror ($6). Left remote control outside mirror ($18). License plate frame ($4). Padded instrument panel in Fireflite ($21). Parking brake light ($4). Power brakes with automatic only ($43). Power steering, automatic transmission required ($106). Power windows ($106). Powerflite transmission with 383 CID V-8 in Fireflite only ($189). Pushbutton radio ($89). Pushbutton radio with rear seat speaker ($106). RCA Automatic Record Player, radio required ($52). Rear foam seat cushion as option ($11). Rear speaker with accessory groups ($17). Rear stone deflectors on Fireflite ($8). Right outside rear-view mirror ($6). Safe-T-Matic door lock in two-door model ($36); in four-door model ($43). Six-way power seat ($101). Solex glass ($43). Sure-Grip differential ($50). Three-way Prismatic mirror ($5). Torqueflite transmission in Fireflite ($227). Two-tone paint ($21). Undercoating with fiberglass pad ($15). Vanity mirror ($2). Variable speed wipers in Fireflite ($7). Variable speed wipers with washers in Fireflite ($18). Wheel covers on Fireflite ($19). Whitewall tires - Five Nylon 8.00 x 14 ($59). Whitewall tires - Five Nylon 8.50 x 14 ($83). Whitewall tires - Five Rayon 8.00 x 14 ($42). Windshield washers ($12). HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Due to ever decreasing sales, a decision was made to integrate the Chrysler and DeSoto bodies/styling/wheelbase with that of the lower-level Chrysler cars for 1960 when unit body construction would be introduced. Continued – Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. PRODUCTION: DeSoto production slipped further from the previous year's low point of 49,445, down to a dismal 45,724. Could anything save DeSoto? See attached chart for production numbers. CAR IMAGES The 1960 DeSotos were handsome cars for their day. It outsold its 1959 equivalents (Fireflite and Adventurer 2-door) by a wide margin – 3,092 to the previous year's 1,983 combined totals. The 1960 Adventurer 4-door hardtop also sold well - with 2,759 units delivered – much better than the 2,364 of the 1959 Fireflite. Continued - Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. CAR IMAGES Continued The 1960 Adventurer 4-door sedan replaced the Fireflite in the lineup. Considering the slow sales, it was a solid seller with 5,746 units sold. The 1960 Fireflite 2-door hardtop was a popular car - selling more than its 1959 Firedome version that it replaced with 3,494 delivered. 1960 Fireflite 4-door hardtops did not sell well, with only 1,958 delivered.