Pick of the Day: 1957 DeSoto Fireflite sedan with matching boat in tow

This Pick of the Day has so much going for it, a 1957 DeSoto Fireflite with towering tailfins and a matching “Big Fin” motorboat in tow, and boasting a romantic back story of everlasting love.

First, the romance, as related by the private seller in Bisbee, Arizona, advertising the matched set on ClassicCars.com.

“When we were teenagers, we eloped in a car just like this – so years later when we found this one-owner beauty, we knew we had to buy it, and restore it for a re-enactment of our elopement on our 40th anniversary,” says the starry-eyed seller. “We followed the same route several states from home to South Carolina. But this time we invited the rest of the family to come along!”  

Speaking of second times around, this DeSoto/boat pair was featured as the Pick of the Day about 2 years ago, but it apparently failed to sell at that time.  So here it is again, now with a considerably lower asking price.

“Romantic stories aside, what makes this DeSoto a one-of-a-kind show stopper is that it is paired with a matching vintage 1959 Herter’s ‘Big Fin’ boat and an antique, show motor and trailer!” the ad says. “It may be one of the only existing original antique 1957 DeSotos left –while it is definitely the only one with a matching boat.”

The 4-door DeSoto has plenty of power for towing duties, the seller notes, with an “excellent running” 341cid Hemi V8 rated at 300 horsepower that has accrued just 49,000 miles since it was rebuilt, linked with a Torque Flite automatic transmission. 

Much of the DeSoto remains in very good original condition, the seller says, with such period-correct custom features as a “suicide knob” on the steering wheel.

“The chrome is exceptional as is the hood medallion and all trim and lettering is complete and in excellent condition,” according to the ad. “The original interior, upholstery and headliner are excellent. We added fat whitewall tires 3 years ago, and the electrical is in excellent condition.”

The attached boat is a real showpiece that definitely sets this DeSoto apart.

“The Desoto is paired with a 1957 Herters Flying Fish fiberglass boat with big fins and paint to match,” the seller says. “The Herters Flying Fish is from the 1950s like the DeSoto, when fiberglass boat builders realized they could copy the shapes of big fins on popular cars of the time.

“The boat has been fully restored only five years ago, with new carpet, seats, upholstery and gel coat paint. The trim hood ornaments and medallions are excellent.”

The boat comes with a 1950 45-horsepower Mercury 4-cylinder outboard motor, which the seller describes as a “show motor,” so presumably it’s not in running condition.  But the motor does perform its assigned task, which is looking cool, as much so that the DeSoto and boat couple have won several Best of Show trophies, the seller says.

The plus-size DeSoto and matching Flying Fish boat are being sold together, which makes the asking price of $34,999 seem more than fair. By the way, Bisbee is a cool border town loaded with artists and counterculture types, and a fun place to visit while picking up a vintage DeSoto.

To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.