DeSoto Adventurer II

The DeSoto Adventurer II was a one-off concept car built in 1954 as a collaboration between Chrysler’s design department, led by Virgil Exner, and Italian coachbuilder Ghia. Based on Chrysler’s S-19 chassis, the car was powered by a DeSoto Red Ram HEMI V8 engine and fitted with a PowerFlite two-speed automatic transmission. Its bodywork was inspired by the futuristic lines of Ghia’s Supersonic series, and although significantly larger than the original Supersonic cars, it retained many of their jet-age styling cues—such as the tapered rear, sleek canopy roofline, and sculpted fender lines. One of its most innovative features was a retractable rear window, a rare and sophisticated touch for a concept car of the era. Painted in a rich charcoal metallic and featuring a refined Italian-style interior, the Adventurer II was first unveiled at the opening of Chrysler’s Chelsea Proving Grounds in June 1954. It later toured the European auto show circuit, appearing in both Turin and Brussels, and was for a time owned by King Mohammed V of Morocco. Ghia made a completely different car before with the name Adventurer I. Though it never saw production, the Adventurer II exemplified Chrysler’s vision for futuristic motoring and remains one of the most elegant American show cars ever created.