Words: Ellen Richardson Photos: Jim Ruckdashel and Ellen Richardson
Since its start in the automotive world in the late 1920’s, the company now known as Fiat Chrysler has been instrumental in the creation of some of the world’s coolest cars. One such vehicle was a car named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who led the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day USA and was the first documented European to have crossed the Mississippi River. First created in 1929, the DeSoto was one of the brand’s most popular vehicles, with sales that skyrocketed to over 80,000 cars in its first year. While this popularity continued for the next 30 years, the release of the lower priced Chrysler Newport would end the DeSoto’s days on top and convince Chrysler to cease its production.
Although the DeSoto was dropped from Chrysler’s production line in late 1960, this vehicle continues to have a following. We had the opportunity to catch up with a fan who recently brought a piece of this Chrysler history back to life and is helping other fans of this vehicle remember what made it famous in the first place: Jim Ruckdashel, who found a love for Chrysler and Plymouth vehicles after spending time with his father at his Duluth, MN Dodge Plymouth dealership.
“I helped out in the parts department of this dealership both after school and during summer vacation for about four or five years,” said Ruckdashel. “This is where I first started learning more about cars and before long, I realized just how much I loved them.”
Despite enjoying working around some of the coolest classic cars, Ruckdashel’s career path would take him in another direction.
“After high school I decided to join the Air Force, but I continued to be interested in cars,” said Ruckdashel. “In fact, I purchased a brand new 1958 Plymouth Belvedere from him while I was in the service and after four years, I sold it, which is one of my biggest regrets.”
While the man who grew up around cars, he would end up selling electrical apparatus for the Eaton Corporation for 39 years. It was after retiring that Ruckdashel found his way back to his passion.
“In 2001 I retired, and I knew then that I wanted to spend my free time fixing up old Chrysler products,” said Ruckdashel.
Although this born Chrysler fan would start his passion projects with the restoration of the vehicle that sparked his love for classic cars, his latest restoration project has changed his life forever.
“I found my 1960 DeSoto in a garage in Pleasant Garden about nine years ago,” said Ruckdashel. “When I saw this automotive legend, I knew that I could resurrect it to its former glory.”
After making a deal, Ruckdashel spent the next three years of his life bringing the beauty back to its original form.
“During the first year, it looked like I was pretty far from my goal of making this car one of the most beautiful restoration projects that I had ever worked on,” said Ruckdashel. “In fact, I was mostly cleaning and removing rust from the body to get it ready for painting.”
After assuring that the outside of his historic DeSoto was going to look like the legend he remembered, it was time to tackle the power.
“The 361 cubic inch V8 engine that was still in this car was a disaster when I bought it,” said Ruckdashel. “The block was cracked; the pistons and bearings were terribly worn and the crankshaft needed some serious work.”
After rebuilding the V8 engine and having the Cast Iron Torqueflite automatic transmission overhauled, Ruckdashel would move on to the factory artic blue exterior paint job, as well as restoring the interior.
“The engine and exterior weren’t the only parts of this car that needed attention,” said Ruckdashel. “The interior was the biggest mess. The headliner was falling down, the seats were ripped with the stuffing coming out, etc.”
After finding someone to recover the seats with NOS materials, Ruckdashel was able to put the finishing touches on his one-of-a-kind ’60 DeSoto Fireflite and was soon rolling his newest trophy to car shows throughout the local area.
“During the restoration process, I never really planned on winning awards, but just showing it off,” said Ruckdashel. “Little did I know that I was going to start winning awards like first prize in my class at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle, PA.”
This beautiful piece of automotive artwork also won first prize at my church’s spring classic car show. I must admit that it was the first car that caught my eye and I hope to hear about more stories like Ruckdashel’s from readers like you soon. Send in pictures of your car or truck and tell us all about it at [email protected] today!
