1959 DeSoto Adventurer Sportsman

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 Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024