softened the rides of the Adventurer and the Imperial. Introduced in 1957, the front-suspension design used ball joints controlled by torsion bar springs. The metallurgy of the torsion bars was changed for 1959. As a result, the 1957 models became even greater rarities.

An unsuccessful restyling and a recession caused sales to fall dramatically for 1958, making the 1957s look like even greater achievements.

Auctions America will feature examples of both these fine automobiles at its sale in Fort Lauderdale on 4-6 March. (A catalog is available from Auctions America.)

Purchased new by the legendary Howard Hughes, an Imperial Crown convertible will cross the block. Hughes' Saturn Blue Imperial has been in storage since 1976 when it was purchased by the car's second owner.

A cancelled check from Hughes Productions and other documents are included for authentication. Only 1,167 were built, but a provenance that boasts such a figure as Hughes does more to boost the price into the $120,000 to $140,000 range.

An even rarer offering is the Hemi V8-powered De Soto Adventurer, one of just 300 convertibles produced for 1957. This example, offered in Adventurer Gold Metallic and Surf White, has had one owner since 1959. Auctions America expects the car to bring between $125,000 and $150,000.

With more than 50 years of history, Sam Fiorani represents the third generation of Chrysler owners in his family.

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