Chassis No.
50414180
| Hershey, Pennsylvania
1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible
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$150,000 - $180,000 USD | Not Sold
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- One of 300 Adventurer Convertibles built for 1957
- Beneficiary of a complete restoration, driven sparingly since completion
- Offered from a prominent, climate-controlled collection
- Superbly presented in attractive colors
- First production vehicle to achieve one horsepower per cubic inch with a standard engine package
- 355-hp, 345 cu.-in. Fireflite V-8 engine; TorqueFlite pushbutton automatic transmission
- Desirably equipped with power seats, power windows, AM radio, and novel, self-winding steering-wheel clock
Named after the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto, DeSoto was introduced in 1928 as a mid-range brand within the Chrysler portfolio, above Plymouth and below Dodge. Known today for producing high-quality, family-style cars that typify 1950s America, it also achieved importance as a manufacturer of high-performance automobiles. Before its dissolution in 1961, DeSoto produced many successful cars, including the Six in 1929, the Firedome in 1952, and the Firesweep in 1957. In the brand's last years, the top of the line was the Adventurer.
First introduced in 1956, the Adventurer represented a true milestone in quality and performance. Powered by a 355-horsepower, 345-cubic-inch Fireflite V-8 engine, the 1957 Adventurer was the first production vehicle to make the vaunted target of one horsepower per cubic inch with the standard engine package. Not just a high-performance vehicle, Adventurers were offered with automatic transmissions as standard and were available with a wide range of optional comfort and convenience equipment, including full power accouterments, air conditioning, a range of radio options, and a unique steering-wheel-mounted, self-winding clock. At a factory suggested retail price of $4,272, just 300 Adventurer convertibles were produced.
This superbly presented DeSoto Adventurer is likely one of the finest available anywhere in the world. The car is said to have been fully restored and driven sparingly since completion of the work. Beautifully presented in white and gold over a champagne and white interior and fitted with wide whitewall tires and gold wheel covers, the car is simply stunning.
The potent FireFlite V-8 features factory dual-quad Carter induction and is paired with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. The car’s long list of desirable amenities includes power seats, power windows, AM radio, dual rear antennas, and both the dash-mounted electric and self-winding steering wheel clocks. Acquired by the consignor in January 2023 and said to have benefitted from recent mechanical service, this Adventurer lives up to its name, ready to provide miles of midcentury motoring at its finest.
