About DeSoto
Wanting to enter the competition with its arch-rivals General Motors, Studebaker, and Willys-Knight, in the mid-price class, Walter Chrysler introduced in 1928 The DeSoto make, named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.
In 1934, an attempt was made to elevate DeSoto by introducing Chrysler's streamlined Airflow bodies on the shorter DeSoto chassis. This created an initial sales flop, but made an interesting collectors' car
After a period of low sales the brand was finally discontinued in 1961.