Story
1956 DeSoto Adventurer
DeSoto introduced the Adventurer as a limited-production performance hardtop for 1956. The factory supplement identifies it as a Detroit-built S-24 two-door Adventurer, while the National DeSoto Club records a 126-inch wheelbase. It was not offered as a production convertible that year. The gold-and-white Indianapolis pace cars were Fireflites with related trim, so their appearance does not add a convertible to the Adventurer range.
A special 341 Hemi
The Adventurer's 341-cubic-inch Hemi used a 3.78-inch bore, 3.80-inch stroke, 9.25:1 compression, a special camshaft, inner and outer valve springs, dual-breaker ignition, and two Carter WCFB four-barrels. DeSoto rated it at 320 gross horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Early cars used two 2317S carburetors; later cars used a 2476S front unit and 2445S rear unit. The later pair should not be interchanged front to rear.
PowerFlite only
Every 1956 Adventurer used a two-speed PowerFlite automatic with instrument-panel push buttons. The factory supplement specifies seven direct-clutch plates and driving discs for this application. A four-pinion 8 3/4-inch rear axle carried 3.73 gearing. A later TorqueFlite, floor shifter, manual conversion, or changed axle must be described as a subsequent modification unless car-specific evidence proves otherwise.
Heavy-duty road hardware
The 126-inch chassis retained coil-spring independent front suspension and a leaf-spring live rear axle. Adventurer equipment included heavy-duty front and rear springs and one-inch Oriflow shock absorbers. Power-assisted Center-Plane hydraulic drums handled braking. Current disc brakes, modern shocks, or changed springs may make a car easier to use, but they are not 1956 production equipment.
Black, white, and gold
The first Adventurer used restricted two-tone combinations drawn from Jet Black, White, and Adventurer Gold Metallic. Gold anodized wheel covers and grille treatment reinforced the theme. Factory refinishing records identify the colors and formulas, but the reviewed public material does not provide a complete placement table for every body code. The body tag, protected paint, and restoration record control claims about one car's delivered finish.
A fully equipped cabin
Gold tweed cloth and leather distinguished the six-passenger hardtop cabin. The equipment record includes a power front seat, electric windows, windshield washers, electric clock, added instruments, and rear-mounted radio antennas. A Highway Hi-Fi record player was available as a period accessory. Current upholstery or accessories remain car-specific even when they match the catalog appearance.
Identifying one
Start with the S-24 hardtop body, serial and body tags, title, and historical records. The shared Detroit Fireflite/Adventurer serial range alone is not enough. Reconcile the S-24-A engine stamp, 341 pistons and valve gear, Carter tags, PowerFlite, 3.73 axle, heavy-duty chassis, brakes, paint, trim, cabin, dates, and ownership history. Gold trim, dual carburetors, or Adventurer scripts can all be added later.
Production, price, and market context
The public record contains unresolved disagreements. The National DeSoto Club table reports 997 hardtops, several collector references report 996, and one archived fact sheet reports 966. Original-price references also differ at $3,728 and $3,680. Those conflicts remain visible until factory ledgers and a dated price schedule settle them. Auction observations describe individual restorations and transactions, not a current appraisal or proof about another car.