Charlie Chan and De Soto:

"DARNED CLEVER, these movie stars! Romantic, yes - but practical, too! That's why so many of them drive this big new De Soto!" says the ad.

Warner Oland, the great motion picture star (like thousands of others at the auto shows) was impressed by the new De Soto's advanced styling and luxurious comfort. Charlie Chan drove one; liked it; and now he owns a De Soto. Click on Charlie to find out more about him.

Walter P. Chrysler introduced DeSoto in 1928 and during the first twelve months, DeSoto production set a record of 81,065 cars. DeSoto built more cars during its first year than had Chrysler, Pontiac, or Graham-Paige. The record stood for nearly thirty years.

The car name honored Hernando de Soto, the 16th century Spaniard who discovered the Mississippi River and had covered more North American territory than any other early explorer.

In 1930  the top of the line was the De Soto CF, otherwise known as the DeSoto Eight. It was a bigger De Soto with a 114 inch wheelbase and the kind of inline eight cylinder engine customers expected to see in a luxury car. De Soto called it "the world's lowest-priced straight eight" and promised customers "a vast reserve of power when you need it." With 70 horse power and 207.7 cubic inches, the De Soto Eight delivered.