If you like long, space age American iron, feast your eyes on this black and gold, Mopar beauty that’s available for sale. This exquisite finned masterpiece – from Virgil Exner at the height of his powers – is a stunner. Although easily dismissed as merely a gussied up Chrysler, the 1957 DeSoto had distinguishing styling touches that were fantastic, and raised the bar aesthetically from it’s Chrysler stablemate.

The marque would be dead just five model years later, so you could argue successfully that these winged beauties were DeSoto’s bittersweet swan song. According to the seller over at Hemmings Motor News, the car has an interesting history.

“This 1957 Adventurer Convertible, the first year that the Adventurer was offered in a convertible, is an example of a stunning restoration. Once owned by famous musician Richard Carpenter, a framed picture of the artist and the vehicle’s California title remains with the vehicle.

“Finished in black and gold, flowing to a complimenting Adventurer interior, this car is very well equipped. Options include AM Radio with dual antennas, dash clock, gray padded dash, power windows, power front seat and power brakes. Turn the key, and the 345ci 345hp Hemi oars to life.

“Drive down the road and feel the smooth shift of the 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and the floating ride on the car’s independent front suspension and live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Front to back, inside and out, this Adventurer will not disappoint. It is an example of a truly rare automobile that has been restored to a very high standard.”

As the video attests, this car is absolutely stunning. Prior ownership by one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century adds to its provenance, but is it worth three-hundred thousand dollars?

As the ’50’s came to a close and sharp, rectilinear styling became the rage, Detroit’s winged sleds were mercilessly sent to the crusher. Late-fifties Mopars were notorious for being rust-prone and few survived. Exner-era Chryslers have soared in value as a result and these cars are now as rare as hen’s teeth.

If you could find a rust-free 1957 DeSoto convertible, it would cost a pretty penny not just for shop costs, but for finding any trim or sheet metal you might need.

This car, with it’s drop dead exterior color combo and killer mid-century modern, jet-influenced interior, would be hard to duplicate. If all this Exner beauty dazzles you, it can be yours if you can belly-up-to-the-bar.