By now almost forgotten, DeSoto was a Chrysler brand manufactured from 1928 to 1961. It can't be said the Adventurer did anything to halt its decline.
Another victim of Chrysler's rush to the Forward Look, '58 DeSotos were plagued with leaky roofs, flimsy transmissions, rusting metal, and faulty power steering units. They sure made a statement, though, at more than 18 feet long and two tons in weight.
A side sweep along the flanks directed attention to its fins, tall enough to be mistaken for the entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge. Unnecessary decorative touches included anodized aluminum triangles in the fins and chrome strips on the trunk lid.
Now that summer is here, it's time to reconsider one of the best reasons for hot weather: top-down motoring. Here are our top choice convertibles for the season. More
All the market research, focus groups, and top engineering can't change one simple fact: Sometimes carmakers blow it. More
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