I have no idea if I’m the only one who noticed, but Forward Look Chryslers and DeSotos shared the same body. The reason why I don’t know is because most of my friends are not into cars, and most of my car friends are into muscle cars. At the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Columbus Auction, I have the opportunity to bring you a comparison between a 1959 Chrysler 300-E and DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman.
Truth be told, both brands were 1959s, not the most hallowed between the two. Virgil Exner gave both a restyle — you can tell they were related to the 1957-58 versions but with heavy facelifts. It was especially necessary because General Motors featured all-new styling for 1959 after a mutiny in the fall of ’56 once GM designers caught their first glimpse of the 1957 Forward Look and knew Harley Earl was leading them in the wrong direction (Exhibit A being the 1958 models). The 1957-58 Mopars are better loved for this reason, plus the Generation I Hemi was retired after 1958, so some feel there’s something less romantic about the 1959s. The truth is that the new wedge-head engines were missing nothing.
Why did I pose another Chrysler to the right, and not the 300-E? Because the 300-E continued to use the 1957-58 front end, though with a new grille pattern. The “regular” Chrysler pictured above is more in line with the restyle shared with the DeSoto to the left.
Notice the similarity of the rear ends.
The similarity extends to the lower part of the rear bumper, though the Chrysler features back-up lights in it.
Here’s a close-up of the taillights, which obviously are different, though you can see more evidence on what was shared.
Through DeSoto’s demise in the middle of the 1961 model year, the brand continued to share bodies with Chrysler.
