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             1956 DESOTO ADVENTURER 


IT PACED THE INDIANAPOLIS  SAND PIKE'S PEAK AND HAD TOO MUCH GO (AND SHOW) FOR THRE LIKES OF THE THUNDERBIRD AND CORVETTE BACK IN THE FIFTIES

Walter p chrysler introduced the desoto marque in 1928 and it took off like you wouldn't beliveve by the end of the year 1500 agencies were selling the 1929 model desolo six of which more than 81,000 were built.

The demand was growing fast as was its reputation for  building fine automobile its reputation for building fine automobile.

It isn't a surprise that chrysler corporation dumped several million of its $15,000,000 programme for new dies and retoolineg for all its brands into the body alone of the 1939 Desoto as it know it would make the money back and way more on top but by the  fifties, trends were changing big inline six family haulers were suddenly considered boring Instead an emerging horsepower race between cadillac ,Oldsmobile and chrysler had begun and it was during this decade that Desoto produced some of its most memorable models such as the 56 Adventurer.

The fiery high performance model a sub series of the top level desoto Fireflite was decked out in a eye catching black and gold paint job it stormed ito the power competition.

It hit 137 mph 220kph at Dytona beack and scorched chrysler chelse proving grounds at 144mph (238kph). It was selected as the pace car for pike peak in 1956 and it paced the Indianapolis 500  with the words Desoto sets The pace"in big block letters on the doors.

Neither ford nor with the Thunderbird and corvette performance poling into insignificance.

The Adventure, which had a heavy suspension was blessed with enormous power thanks to its 341 cubic inch hemi v8 with true dual exhausts. It made 320 horse, but this wasn't just an all out street brawler it featured luxury items including a push button control power filet automatic transmission power steering power seats power windows, power brakes, windshield washers and an electric clock.


The interior was finished in high quality material and it had a padded dash duel real view mirrors and dual radio antennas that sat proudly on top the tailfine. DeSoto had intially built just 996 units that year and six weeks later they all sold.


The model range grew when the hard top was joined by a convertible in 1957 and a four door saloon in its final year of 1960.