1959 DeSoto Adventurer

DeSoto, a division of Chrysler Corporation, was in production from 1928 to 1961. Styling was often cutting edge, with the waterfall grills of the 1930s Airflow and the excessive use of chrome trim and tall tail fins of the 1950s. The Adventurer model, introduced in 1956, was DeSoto's high-performance option, complementing the 300B from Chrysler, Plymouth's Fury, and Dodge's D-500, adopting the same low-production specialty model concept as its sister divisions. It was named after two concept cars built by Ghia for DeSoto, the first was designed by Virgil Exner in 1952 and powered by DeSoto's 276 cubic inch Hemi-head V-8. After completing its time on the show circuit, Exner adopted it as his personal car for several years, even racing it on occasion. The second Adventurer followed in 1954, wearing a design by Luigi Segre and Giovanni Savonuzzi at Ghia.

Rejuvenated by the introduction of Virgil Exner's 'Forward Look' styling regime and the addition of fins in 1957, the Adventurer increased in both price and power, becoming one of the first production cars rated at one horsepower per cubic inch. It became more similar in design and features to the Chrysler during its production lifespan before the defunct DeSoto brand ceased production in 1961.

In 1959, the models were restyled with much of the bodywork shared with Chrysler's 300, and just like in previous years, were offered in a choice of either Black or Pearl White, both with Gold accented exterior trim, wheel covers and badging. Demonstrating Exner's iconic Forward look design program, the Adventurer received many over-the-top details, exaggerated proportions, fins, and futuristic touches inspired by the burgeoning jet age. They were large, flashy, and exaggerated, with copious amounts of chrome trim and gold, elaborate interiors, and towering tail fins. Engine displacement grew from 361 to 383 cubic inches and was aided by dual four-barrel carburetion, a special cam and valvetrain, and a modified distributor.

1959 DeSoto models included the Firesweep resting on a 122-inch wheelbase and powered by a 361 CID V8 with 295 horsepower. All other models had a 126-inch wheelbase and a 383 CID V8. The Firedome used a Carter two-barrel carburetor to produce 305 horsepower, while the Fireflite was equipped with a four-barrel Carter carburetor with 325 horsepower. Among the body styles common to the Firesweep, Firedome, and Fireflite were a sedan, two- and four-door sportsman, and convertible coupe. Firesweep and Fireflite were also available as station wagons with 6- and 9-passenger seating. Prices ranged from $2,900 to $4,360.

The Adventurer was priced at $4,430 for the sportsman and $4,750 for the convertible coupe. The 383 CID V8 had hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, two Carter four-barrel carburetors, and delivered 350 horsepower at 5,000 RPM. It had power brakes, power steering, dual exhaust, dual rear radio antennas, dual outside rearview mirrors, and white sidewall Rayon tires measuring 8.50 x 14. The interiors had a swivel front driver's seat, and the two-door hardtop had a simulated Scotch-grain leather finish for the roof. There were deck lid moldings, wheel cutout moldings, and gold color sweep inserts, and the grille was finished in gold.

Just 590 examples of the two-door Sportsman and 97 of the convertible coupe were built in 1959.

by Dan Vaughan

Sportsman

The DeSoto Adventurer was a limited edition (590 hardtops) high-performance model. Gold trim, emblems, truck strips, dual antennas, mirrors, and wheel covers were all standard on this model. The 350 horsepower 383 V8 featured dual four-barrel carbs and a high lift cam. Donald Coen of Canton, Ohio, has donated this car to the Canton Classic Automobile Museum. Mr. Coen was the original owner of this car.

by Canton Classic Car Museum

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 Dan Vaughan

Sportsman

This 1959 DeSoto Adventurer 2-door hardtop is one of only 590 built. It has gold trim, emblems, truck strips, dual antennas, mirrors, and wheel covers, all standard equipment on this rare high-performance model. The power is from a 350 horsepower 383 cubic-inch V8 that features dual four-barrel carburetors and a high lift cam, and push button Torque-Flite automatic transmission. This car had an add-on air conditioning system, and there were swivel bucket seats.

The DeSoto Adventurer was available in only two colors, white or black, and model choices were limited to hardtop coupe or convertible.

by Dan Vaughan

Sportsman

In 1959 DeSoto, a division of Chrysler Corporation, had an upturn in sales for their Adventurer model - at 687 units - compared with the previous year, but nothing could stem the 40 percent drop in divisional sales for the year. The Desoto brand was not helped by the fact that the public thought it would soon be an orphan and thus, they migrated to the Chrysler showroom, whose cars were virtually identical except for the grille and tail lights. DeSoto was ultimately canned in November 1960. The Adventurer was powered by a Chrysler 383 V8 producing 350 horsepower at 5,000 RPM.

Convertible Coupe

DeSoto created the Adventurer series to compete with other performance cars like the Plymouth Fury Sports Coupe and the Chrysler 300. The first Adventurer, a two-door hardtop coupe that was technically a Fireflite subseries, rolled out of the factory in 1956, and within six weeks, all 996 units were sold.

This car is powered by a 383 cu. in. overhead-valve V8 engine developing 350 horsepower coupled to a 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, making it capable of 125 miles per hour.

Sales of the Adventurer from 1957 thru 1959 totaled 3,069 vehicles. A new Adventurer was introduced in 1960, including four-door sedans, and had sales of 11,597 units, but this was not enough to save DeSoto. In November 1961, the cars 'Built to Last' ended production for all time.

Sportsman
Chassis number: M491 100658
Engine number: ML383 26928

The 1959 DeSoto Adventurer is sometimes referred to as the 'Golden Adventurer' in reference to its standard gold paint, engine-turned trim, and accents. This nomenclature was helped along with period DeSoto marketing that proclaimed it, 'pure gold….in ride, pride, and pleasure.' The 'Adventurer' name and its styling were inspired by two earlier concept cars that Ghia produced for DeSoto in 1952 and 1954 (Virgil Exner designed the 1952 car and Giovanni Savonuzzi the 1954 concept). After their show circuit duties were complete, Exner kept Adventurer I, while Adventurer II went from Ghia to King Mohammed V of Morocco.

In 1957, the Adventurer became the first production vehicle to achieve the one horsepower per cubic inch with its standard 345 cubic-inch Fireflite V8 engine package. By 1959 and following modifications, the engine's displacement had grown to 383 cubic-inches and output to 350 horsepower.

The Adventurer was a careful combination of performance, luxury and style. They came standard with automatic transmissions, full power accouterments, various radio options, a unique steering wheel-mounted, self-winding clock, and air conditioning. Priced at $4,272 for the hardtop coupe in 1959, a mere 590 examples were built.

This particular example is finished in polychrome black and Adventurer Gold livery and is powered by its correct 383 cubic-inch V8 engine with push-button Powerflite automatic transmission. It has exterior engine-turned gold trim, 'flying post' side mirrors, gold wheel covers, gold-plated factory badging, and proper upholstery. There is a factory-correct air-conditioning system, 'Sports Swivel' seats, an automatic headlight dimmer, and a push-button AM radio.

While in the care of its present owner, this DeSoto was given nearly $13,500 (CAD) of corrective maintenance.

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