1954 DeSoto Adventurer II Concept

Chevrolet introduced their Corvette in 1953, prompting DeSoto to create their own eye-catching sports car. DeSoto began with their 111-inch wheelbase and using Virgil Exner styling, created a two-door, four-seater close-coupled coupe with no rear side windows. On the sides, below the doors, were functional side exhausts. On the back trunk was the quick-fill fuel cap. The car rode on chrome wire wheels and white-wall tires. The trunk had a very small hatch, allowing access to the spare tire. Luggage space was nearly non-existent. Inside, the seats were covered in black leather with white piping. The dashboard was satin-finish with a complete bank of circular gauges.

The DeSoto Adventurer was a concept that Exner tried to make into a limited-production vehicle.

A few years later, DeSoto created a second concept called Adventurer II. The styling was done by Ghia of Italy, and the result of the work was nothing like the first car.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2010