This ‘stunning’ rare DeSoto Custom barn find won awards

This rare award-winning 1961 DeSoto Custom two-door hardtop is in amazing condition despite spending three decades in storage.

American marque DeSoto launched all the way back in 1928 and went on to produce more than two million vehicles. 

DeSoto, which was manufactured and marketed by the DeSoto division of Chrysler Corporation, produced some stunning cars over the years, including the Firedome, the Club Coupe, and the Adventurer. 

However, by the early 1960s, the brand was in trouble, and just weeks after its 1961 models were introduced, DeSoto announced that it was shutting down production for good. 

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The vintage DeSoto is in incredible condition

The company’s closure means that you don’t see too many examples of DeSotos out there anymore – although this man did manage to find a 1949 DeSoto Club Coupe parked up between two one-owner Corvettes he was planning on buying. 

And over in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is this stunning 1961 Custom model that looks as good as the day it rolled off the production line. 

The car was one of the last ever DeSotos to be made, with the company closing its doors that same year. 

It’s also one of the last production cars to be designed by Virgil Exner, according to eBay seller outbidinya. 

The cool, pale brown colored hardtop is in near-perfect condition with gleaming chrome, flawless paintwork, and all its original glass. 

The inside is just as beautiful, with the original seats and interior looking as good as new. 

The car even won an award back in the 1970s

In fact, the car is so special it even won a DeSoto Club of America award back in the 1970s. 

Under the hood, the DeSoto has its original 361 V8 engine and it ‘runs, drives and sounds like a new car’, according to the seller. 

It has just 30,585km (19,005 miles) on the clock, which the seller believes to be original, and comes with power brakes, power steering, and an air conditioning system.

What makes this car all the more impressive is the fact that it actually spent a decent chunk of time in dry storage. 

Because let’s be honest that doesn’t always result in a great outcome for the car – just take a look at this rusty 1970 Dodge Challenger that was parked for 20 years. 

However, in this case the DeSoto has done very well out of being kept off the road for so long. 

“Car was painted and put in dry storage for 30+ years and was a real barn find,” the seller notes. 

You can say that again.