Poll: Which DeSoto? (6/30/2025)

1956. To me the fins and grille complete the design. A rare facelift that beats the original.

What Ed says!! The grille and entire front end look much better and the fins complete the final package. '56 for me as well!

Same as above!

55 for me because it continues the signature grill that DeSoto had become known for. I was never a fan of fins and given a choice, the rear fenders of the 55 are more appealing to me. Don't get me wrong, the 56 is a good looking car and I would be proud to be the owner of either. Another tough comparison thanks to the diabolical mind of John B.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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55 for me because it continues the signature grill that DeSoto had become known for. I was never a fan of fins and given a choice, the rear fenders of the 55 are more appealing to me. Don't get me wrong, the 56 is a good looking car and I would be proud to be the owner of either. Another tough comparison thanks to the diabolical mind of John B.

I went with a Tie.  Both are beautiful models, and only with slight differences.

Could have easily been a tie for me too but I picked the 56 simply because it was the last DeSoto the family owned. Nostalgia.

The '56 for me.  That said, I think it's perfect with the exception of the "mesh" grill.  I much prefer the trademark "toothy" grill of the '55.  \

How the DeSoto fell from grace so quickly in car lore, has always been a mystery to me.  I've often concluded that it was not the public that ended the run of the DeSoto (and for that matter, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, and Mercury too), it was the automakers themselves. 

We could have a long and interesting discussion on this topic over morning coffee.  I'd enjoy the conversation. 

55 particularly for the carry over of the toothy grille concept.  Like Bob said above.  👍😎

I'm totally with Bob on this one.

Rumor has it that John B stays up all night thinking of ways to make these decisions difficult! I managed to sneak a video of his process,

I much prefer the more understated, finless styling of the '55.  The '56 is a nice looking car for sure though.  I feel the same about the entire Chryco line comparing '55 to '56.

DeSoto died because Chrysler introduced a lower end model (Newport, I believe) that ate its market share, while Dodge moved up.

56 but the 55 is super nice too.

I long believed the Chrysler and DeSoto where always much too similar and amazed that they co-existed for all those years. I can't say I was surprised when the DeSoto brand was eliminated.