1959 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible Coupe

In 1959, DeSoto produced only 97 examples of their Adventurer in a convertible body style. There were 590 examples built in the Sportsman 2-door, 6-passenger configuration.

The Adventurer was introduced in 1956 as the company's ultra-high-performance model. It was redesigned in 1957 with the 'Forward Look' theme. In 1959, it was given a moderate restyling and given a generous amount of Chrysler-shared sheet metal. It was available in only two colors, white or black (with contrasting gold-anodized wheel covers and aluminum side sweeps), and model choices were limited to hardtop coupe or convertible.

Under the bonnet lurked a 383 cubic-inch V-8 engine with four-barrel carburetors responsible for producing 350 horsepower. There was a Torque-Flite automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Selling for exactly $1000 less than the Chrysler 300E Convertible, the Adventurer Convertible sold for $4,749 in 1959.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2009