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This 1957 DeSoto Adventurer convertible is one of 300 examples built for the model year, and it was refurbished around 1990 while under the ownership of aeronautical engineer and philanthropist James D. Raisbeck—in whose collection the car remained in Washington until his passing in 2021—and it was acquired by the selling dealer in January 2023. Service performed in anticipation of the sale included replacing the fuel sending unit, hoses, and filter. The vehicle is powered by a 345ci Hemi V8 paired with a push-button three-speed automatic transmission and is finished in white with gold accents over gold vinyl and tweed cloth upholstery. Equipment includes a power-operated white soft top, dual four-barrel carburetors, power steering, power brakes, wheel covers, whitewall tires, a power front seat, power windows, dual antennas, and a self-winding steering-wheel clock. This Adventurer convertible is now offered with owner’s and service manuals, a 1957 sales brochure, car-show documents, refurbishment photos, and a clean Pennsylvania title.

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible

The car was finished from the factory in Surf White with an Adventurer Gold lower body sweep, and it was repainted during the aforementioned refurbishment. The power-operated white soft top is augmented by a beige parade boot, and additional exterior details include hooded headlights, front-fender spears, fender-mounted split-post side mirrors, gold-colored badging, decklid trim strips, dual antennas, and fins with three-lens taillight towers as well as dual exhaust outlets that exit through the chrome rear bumper. Close-up photos depicting cracked paint can be viewed in the gallery below.

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible

Steel 14″ wheels wearing branded gold-finished covers are wrapped in Lester Tire Company whitewall tires. Braking is provided by power-assisted drums, and suspension is handled by independent torsion bars up front, a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs out back, and hydraulic dampers all around.

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible

The cabin features bench seats trimmed in gold vinyl with tweed cloth inserts, matching door panels, and a brown dash pad and carpeting. Appointments include a dash-mounted rearview mirror, power windows, a heater/defroster, and a power-operated front seat. The seller notes that the push-button signal-seeking AM radio and the dash-mounted electric clock are both inoperative.

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible

A two-tone gold and white steering wheel equipped with a semi-circular horn ring and a self-winding center-cap Benrus clock fronts a sweeping 150-mph speedometer and a textured-aluminum control-panel insert. The five-digit odometer shows nine miles and is inoperative; true mileage is unknown.

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible

The 345ci Fireflite Hemi V8 was factory rated at 345 horsepower and 356 lb-ft of torque, and it is equipped with a pair of Carter WCFB four-barrel carburetors as well as a dual exhaust system fitted with both resonators and mufflers. The fuel sending unit, hoses, and filter were replaced in anticipation of the sale.

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a push-button TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission.

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible

The trim tag decodes as follows:

  • SCH 107 – Schedule number
  • SEQ 390 – Sequence number
  • BDY 563 – Adventurer convertible
  • PNT PLP – Surf White paint with Adventurer Gold body sweep
  • TRM 546 – Gold vinyl and Gray Westminster tweed cloth upholstery
  • AH 4 – Heater and defroster
  • PW 5 – Power windows
  • BG 3 – Front bumper guards
  • C 6 – Gold convertible top

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible

Refurbishment photos will accompany the vehicle along with owner’s and service manuals, a 1957 sales brochure, car-show documents, and expired Washington state registration certificates from the 1960s.

Auction Result

Winning Bid USD $142,000 by SandLC
Auction Ended March 22, 2024 at 2:31PM PT
Bids 28
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BaT Essentials

Seller: Scottcautos
Location: Connellsville, Pennsylvania 15425
Listing Details
  • Chassis: 50414180
  • 345ci Hemi V8
  • Push-Button 3-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • White Paint w/Gold Accents
  • Gold Vinyl Upholstery w/Tweed Cloth Inserts
  • Power-Operated White Soft Top
  • Dual Antennas
  • Power Windows & Power Front Seat
  • Power Steering & Power Brakes
  • Dual Carter WCFB Carburetors
  • Dual Exhaust System w/Resonators & Mufflers
Private Party or Dealer: Dealer
Additional charges from this dealer: $0
Lot #140666