1956 DeSoto Adventurer

2dr Hardtop Coupe

8-cyl. 341cid/320hp 2x4bbl

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$52,800 CAD*

+15.3%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value Graph04/2407/2410/24$10k$20k$30k$40k$50kJan 2025
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1956-1960 DeSoto Adventurer stats
Highest sale
$620,781 CAD
Lowest sale
$8,691 CAD
Most recent sale
$44,263 CAD
Sales
100

Photos

20 photosImages may not reflect selected vehicle.

1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
1960 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr Hardtop Courtesy of Hyman Ltd.
insurance

Protect your 1956 DeSoto Adventurer from the unexpected for only $502 CAD per year**

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**Figure based on a stock 1956 DeSoto Adventurer valued at $52,800 CAD with ON rates with $100/300K liability/UM/UIM limits. Actual costs vary depending on the coverage selected, vehicle condition, province and other factors. Hagerty determines final risk acceptance.

Model overview

Model description

In the boom years of the late 1950s, the Adventurer was DeSoto’s top-of-the-line performance car. Based on the popular Fireflite line, the Adventurer was offered as a limited edition two-door hardtop coupe.

The 1956 Adventurer (or “Golden Adventurer”) differed from the standard Fireflite by featuring a special high-performance Hemi V-8 engine displacing 341 cubic inches and delivering 320 hp. The transmission was the DeSoto PowerFlite automatic unit. Adventurers also featured dual carburetors, dual exhaust, upgraded suspension, power brakes, and upgraded interiors with power seats and windows. The Adventurer also came with a special paint scheme, either black or white with a gold side sweep that was matched to gold hubcaps to complete the picture.

The 1957 model year brought larger tailfins and the addition of a two-door convertible to the Adventurer line. In this year, DeSoto committed to the Adventurer as a performance car, bumping engine displacement to 345 cubic inches and 345 horsepower.

Further model year changes in 1958 made the Adventurer sleeker, and the big news was the addition of a Bendix fuel injection option, which raised the rated horsepower to 355. DeSoto later recalled all fuel-injected cars and replaced the injection with dual carburetors, but the cars still bore a "Fuel Injection" nameplate above the fender badges.

In 1959, the bodywork changed yet again, with the two-door hardtop coupe now known as a “Sportsman” – but changes were not as radical as in prior years. The engine was replaced with Chrysler’s 383-cid Hemi V-8 at 350 hp. Adventurer’s usual complement of power everything and upgrades continued as the top of the line.

For the final year of the Adventurer in 1960, the convertible disappeared and was replaced by a four-door hardtop and four-door pillared sedan from the Fireflite line. DeSoto was on its way out, and the Adventurer was the best bet for sales. Total 1960 production was over 11,000 Adventurers, compared to 687 in 1959, just 432 in 1958, 1,950 in 1957, and 996 cars in 1956. The 1960 model was the only year in which Adventurers were offered in a variety of colors.

Collectors will want to seek out the convertibles, with just 479 made through three years of production. Any fuel-injected cars from 1958 that escaped retrofit would also be highly collectible. Because the Adventurer was always DeSoto’s performance car and the line had so few options, any Adventurer is a solid choice.

Vehicle specifications

  • Shipping Weight3870 lbs
  • Vehicle Length220.9 in
  • Wheelbase - Inches126 in
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Common Questions

The value of a 1956 DeSoto Adventurer can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $36,700 USD for a 1956 DeSoto Adventurer in good condition with average spec.

The highest selling price of a 1956 DeSoto Adventurer at auction over the last three years was $106,199 CAD. The highest prices are usually reserved for rare or exceptionally well-maintained examples with desirable features or modifications and excellent history.

The lowest selling price of a 1956 DeSoto Adventurer at auction over the last three years was $31,736 CAD. The lowest prices are usually paid for examples that have extensive maintenance needs, differ greatly from their original configuration, or have accident histories or title problems.

In the last three years there have been 5 1956 DeSoto Adventurers sold at public auction.

The most recent auction sale of a 1956 DeSoto Adventurer was $44,263 CAD on January 23, 2025 by Barrett-Jackson.

Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.

Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.

Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.

The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.

All prices shown here are representative of stock condition vehicles only and based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. Value adjustments for optional equipment are in U.S. dollars. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.CA/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of the Hagerty Group LLC, ©2025 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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