1957 DeSoto Adventurer

The 1955 Chrysler Corporation vehicles were the recipients of 'The Million Dollar Look' from designer Virgil Exner and were a total departure from their 1954 conservative predecessor. The long and low stance was complimented by jet-inspired styling with floating parking lamps, a wraparound windshield, and exotic tail fins. Along with styling, Chrysler made headlines by introducing its new 331.1 cubic-inch Hemispherical engine with twin carburetors that offered 300 horsepower. Chrysler's pinnacle model, offering both style and performance, was the new 300 Series (C-300) offered solely as a hardtop coupe in 1956 and 1957. A convertible joined the lineup in 1957.

Chevrolet had its Corvette sports car, Ford had its personal luxury car - the Thunderbird - and the Chrysler Corporation had the high-performance and well-equipped 300 (Letter) Series and DeSoto Adventurer.

In a similar vein, DeSoto's high-performance, exclusive, and stylish Paragon was called the Adventurer, introduced in 1956 and produced through 1960, a year before DeSoto went out of business (due, in part, to the economic recession (a.k.a. the Eisenhower Recession) of the late-1950s.)

The Adventurer was the most expensive vehicle in DeSoto's lineup, priced at $3,780 in 1956, increasing to $4,000 a year later. The two-door hardtop coupe had seating for six and came standard with power brakes, a power front seat, heavy-duty suspension, an electric clock, dual outside rearview mirrors, a padded instrument panel, rear-mounted manual radio antennas, dual tailpipe extensions, and whitewall tires. Under the hood was a 341.4 cubic-inch, overhead-valve V8 with enlarged valve ports, high-lift camshaft, stiffer valve springs, large-diameter valves, and hydraulic valve lifters. It had five main bearings, a cast-iron block with modified slipper pistons, heavy-duty connecting rods, and a shot-peened crankshaft. With assistance from Carter's dual four-barrel carburetors, the engine delivered 320 horsepower at 5,200 RPM.

In comparison, the 1956 Chrysler 300B was $565 more expensive, had 106 more sales, and produced 20 more horsepower than the Adventurer. The Chrysler 300B was essentially a subseries of the New Yorker, and the Adventurer was basically a subseries of the Fireflite.

In 1957, both the 300C and the Adventurer gained a convertible. The Adventurer had special gold-colored trim accents, a TorqueFlite automatic transmission, power brakes, dual exhaust, and special paint and trim (either white with gold accents or black with gold accents). The 'Adventurer' nameplates were placed on the rear fender and bright metal strips were located on the rear deck lid. In the front were prominent dual headlamps over a tame, conservative grille (compared to the large front grille and tail fins of the Chrysler 300C.)

The 345 cubic-inch OHV V8 produced 345 horsepower, providing one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement. In comparison, the 1957 Chrysler 300C was powered by a 392 cubic-inch FirePower Hemi V8 with 375 horsepower. The Chrysler 300C hardtop costs $4,930, and the convertible at $5,360. The Adventurer was approximately $1,000 less expensive for each body style, with the hardtop listed at $4,000 and the convertible at $4,270. Chrysler sold 1,918 of its coupes and 484 of its convertibles compared to 1,650 of the Adventurer coupe and 300 of the convertible.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

In 1957 it would have been hard to imagine that within four years, DeSoto would be history, but for the moment, times were good. There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the all-new 1957 Forward Look DeSoto, and big-car buyers loved the looks, the luxury, and the power.

Introduced two months after the other 1957 DeSotos, the Adventurer featured an exclusive color scheme (either white with gold accents or black with gold accents) and a 345 horsepower/345 cubic-inch Hemi V8 with twin four-barrel carburetors and a full-race camshaft. Even the wheel covers were gold-colored!

Just 1,950 Adventurers were built for 1957, including exactly 300 convertibles. The car has optional power windows, power six-way seats, Hi-Way Hi-FI (a 16 2/3 rpm record player), and factory air-conditioning. The list price was $4,272 plus options.

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 55354910

The DeSoto Adventurer was a high-style, high-content American muscle car powered by the division's top 'Hemi' V-8 engine. The powerplant delivered one horsepower per cubic inch, similar to its Chrysler 300 stable-mates.

This particular example is a replica that offered both the look and performance of an original. It has been given a nut-and-bolt restoration and modification process that began with an original Arizona car - an original Firedome chassis that has been expertly modified to replicate the Adventurer's design features. The interior features correct Adventurer-specification upholstery, added wood-grain dash, door-panel appliqués, and air conditioning. Mechanical features include a conversion to a street rod-style front and rear air-suspension system. The original 345 cubic-inch 'Hemi' V-8 engine provides power with aftermarket dual-quad induction and modern 12-volt electrics, plus many painted and polished accessories. A GM 700R4 four-speed overdrive automatic transmission offers relaxed cruising, while a modern, dual-circuit master cylinder with vacuum-assist enhances braking.

Additionally with the car is a matching black and gold trailer that carries a restored fiberglass-hulled Duofoil Flying Fish boat from the late 1950s, mildly modified to match the DeSoto with a black and gold finish, tailfins, and Adventurer upholstery.

In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $140,000. As bidding came to a close, the car and the boat had been sold for the sum of $110,000, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 50417133
Engine number: S26-A-2127

In 1957, the DeSoto Adventurer was offered as a hardtop coupe or convertible, in either black or white, with a contrasting 'side spear.' The interior was finished in Adventurer Gold Poly, matching gold-anodized aluminum trim, wheels, and hardware accents. The carpets were woven with gold metallic threads. Power was from a Hemi V-8 engine bored out by 20-thousandths of an inch and fitted with a performance camshaft and dual quads.

The 1957 Adventurers were introduced later than the rest of that year's DeSoto line. There was no mention of the model in the catalog, and no Adventurer brochure. In 1957, just 300 examples of the convertible were made.

This example includes factory Airtemp air conditioning, Benrus steering wheel-mounted chronometer, power seats, and correct accessory wire wheels.

In 1998, this convertible was given a restoration by Greg Groom of Chrysler Works in Highland, California. In January 1999, it was acquired by Thomas F. Derro and has remained in the collection since.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe

The DeSoto was an early muscle car equipped with the division's top Hemi V8 engine offering nearly 350 horsepower. Its wheelbase measured 126 inches, and its body came with aesthetically pleasing tail fins. Introduced in the mid-model year 1956, the Adventurer was the company's top-of-the-line model. A convertible body style was added even later. DeSoto introduced the 1957 Adventurer in December of 1956, two months after the introduction of the other models. Every Adventurer convertible top was gold. During this era, the traditional launch was from late September to early October.

The 1957 DeSoto Adventurer was given the new 'Forward Look' seen throughout all Chrysler Corporation models and was longer, lower, and wider. It was based on the Fireflite and came with specified color combinations of white with black and a gold side sweep and roof or gold with a white or black side sweep and roof. The grille mesh was gold anodized, and 'DESOTO' letters could be found on the front of the hood - and were done in gold. A stylized DeSoto emblem was placed on the middle of the hood. Gold 'DESOTO' lettering was also featured on the rear decklid. Five stainless steel strips accent the top of the trunk. The Adventurer logo appeared on the sides of the tailfins. Just ahead of this cursive script is a logo featuring crossed flags and a gold V accented by gold wings. Another Adventurer crest appears on each front fender, just ahead of the doors. In the center of this emblem is the Hernando DeSoto coat of arms.

In the front were dual headlamps.

The interior of the DeSoto Adventurer featured light gold seats (60/40 up front) with gold and white tweed in the seated portion of the benches, front and rear. This theme continued into the door panels.

Beginning with the 341 cubic-inch engine, the DeSoto engineers bored the powerplant to 345 cubic-inches and installed dual quads. Horsepower rose from 295 to 345 HP, making the engine provide one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement.

Body styles included a hardtop coupe priced at $4,000. Total production of the coupe reached 1,650 units. The Convertible Coupe had a base price of $4275 and a total of 300 examples were built. Options such as a record player (called the Hi-Way Hi-Fi), electric windows and six-way power seat pushed the price up even further. Every Adventurer came with the famous push-button automatic transmission.

This 1957 Desoto Adventurer is one of 1,650 hardtop examples produced in 1957. It has a white and gold exterior and a tan and brown interior. The 345 CID V8 Hemi offers 345 horsepower and is mated to a TorqueFlite Push Button 3-speed automatic transmission. There is Mark IV air conditioning, power steering, power windows, a 7-button seek radio, and twin original antennas.

by Dan Vaughan

HardTop Coupe
Chassis number: 50414180

The DeSoto brand was introduced in 1928 and was anmed after the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto. It was part of the Chrysler portfolio and positioned as a mid-range brand, below Dodge and above Plymouth. They built a reputation around their high-quality, high-performance, family-style cars until their dissolution in 1961.

The DeSoto Adventurer was introduced in 1956 and came equipped with a 345 cubic-inch Fireflite V8 engine rated at 355 horsepower. The following year, the Adventurer became the first production vehicle to make one horsepower per cubic inch with the standard engine package. Offered in a wide range of optional comfort and convenience equipment, the list included a unique steering-wheel-mounted, a self-winding clock, air conditioning, and a range of radio options. An automatic transmission was standard.

This 1957 DeSoto Adventurer is finished in white and gold over a champagne and white interior. It has wide whitewall tires, gold wheel covers, a FireFlite V-8 engine with factory dual-quad Carter induction, and a TorqueFlite automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Among the amenities bestowed upon this vehicle include power windows, power seats, an AM radio, and dual rear antennas.

The current owner acquired this DeSoto in January 2023.

by Dan Vaughan

The DeSoto was introduced in 1956 and produced through 1960. The two-door hardtop Adventurer had received its name from a DeSoto concept car. During its production lifespan, the car would endure both good and bad times. There were many reasons for the final demise of the vehicle. At the close of the 1950's, the country was experiencing economic turmoil which was causing the sales of most automobiles to decline. DeSoto could not advertise its vehicles to the same degree that other manufacturers could due to a limited budget. In 1958 quality control and recall problems plagued the company. By 1960 the DeSoto Company, owned by the Chrysler Corporation, ceased production.

Gold plating adorned the Adventurers mesh grille, and its wheels were turbine-style. When introduced, it did not have elaborate styling or flashy components, it was simply a clean and powerful automobile. Under the hood lurked a Hemi 5.6-liter V8 that produced between 230 and 320 horsepower. Power brakes were offered as standard equipment, and the suspension was modified to help control the horsepower produced by the engine. A push-button PowerFlite automatic, electric clock, dual rearview mirrors, padded dash, power windows, power steering, and power seats added to the amenities provided by the Adventurer. A record player was offered as optional equipment, but it was never very popular and was quickly discontinued.

The base price for a 1956 Adventurer was around $3680. This was less than most of its competition.

At Daytona Beach, a golden Adventurer achieved 137 miles per hour. At the Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds oval, it topped 144 miles per hour. There were no other vehicles offered that could outpace the Adventurer.

During the Adventurer's introductory year, nearly 1000 examples were produced. For 1957 the styling was enhanced, and fins were placed on the rear of the vehicle, a style that was growing in popularity at the time. A convertible option became available. The engine was enlarged from 341 to 345 cubic-inch increasing horsepower output to 345, one horsepower per cubic inch. The suspension was modified to keep up with the engine enhancements. These improvements helped the sale of 1950 Adventurers for 1957, an increase of almost half from the prior year.

In 1958 only 423 examples were produced. This was due to several factors, including an economic recession and changing market trends that had other manufacturers producing more vehicles. A big reason, however, was quality. The Hemi engine was replaced with a cheaper-to-build engine that produced equivalent horsepower. Fuel injection was standard but often failed, causing the company to issue recalls. The Bendix EFI system was later replaced with carburetors. Many DeSotos leaked, had faulty transmissions, or a slew of other problems. This kept people from visiting the DeSoto showrooms.

In 1959 the exterior of the car received aesthetic modifications. Swivel bucket seats were part of the interior modifications. This helped entry and exit from the low-sitting car. Sales climbed to a respectable 687 units.

For 1960 the Adventurer name was available on nearly all DeSoto automobiles. Sales for the entire vehicle line-up continued to decline, causing the Chrysler Corporation to discontinue the DeSoto marque in mid-November of 1960.

by Dan Vaughan