DREAM BOAT

This 1959 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman represents the pinnacle of Mark Spaulding’s car-owning life, and his taste in cars is by no means narrow. Mark ended up with it after a kind of process of elimination, during which many other cars were bought, but eventually sold on again. “I’d had examples of all the British classic makes and worked my way up to a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Mk IV.”

Having exhausted all the British marques, he decided he’d give American cars a go. “When Christine came out, it ignited my passion for a finned car. Once I’d sold the Rolls, that’s when I could afford to buy one.” Mark bought the DeSoto in Missouri in 2008 and has held on to it ever since. Other Yanks have come and gone in the meantime, including a Ford F-150 Econoline, a GMC Suburban and a 1959) was a pleasure to deal with.”