The Chrysler Airflow



 

 
Hmmmmmmmmmm
What do you think ??

 

 
It was 1934 and the world was in the midst of a deep economic depression.
The word STREAMLINE started to circulate.
Engineers understood what it meant but the general public was not quite ready for major changes in automobile design that it would bring.
However Walter P Chrysler and Chrysler Corporation tried to show the world what was in the future.
The world wasn't ready for the Chrysler Airflow or its lower priced counterpart, the DeSoto Airflow
Despite its commercial failure, Chrysler's attempt at innovation made it one of the most important
vehicles of the 1930's.
Not only did the Airflow lead the way in terms of aerodynamics (or "streamlining" as it was then called), it was the first mass-market car in the world to use the "modern" architecture that has now become standard. 
The passengers comfortably rode in a roomy interior between the axles. Power was supplied to the rear wheels by a front mounted in-line eight engine, pushing the Airflow into higher than normal speeds while maintaining good economy.
The Airflow had many revolutionary ideas, like the placement of a portion of the engine ahead of the front axle, which allowed moving the passenger compartment forward.
The frame was also different. Instead of the simple ladder frames used in that period, the Airflow used a, space-frame, which was similar to the best contemporary practices. This was what today would be known as a unibody construction. The Airflow's frame ran up the fender line, across and encircling the door openings.
This made a very rigid car.
However, as modern as the Airflow was, it wasn't accepted by the buying public and the car was
only in production  for four years.
Introduced in 1934, production was ceased in 1937.

It's with great pleasure that I present this tribute to
what could and should have been a great automobile


 

 

This page was last updated July 15 2008


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1934 Chrysler Airflow
1934 Chrysler Airflow 2 Door Coupe
   
1934 Chrysler Airflow 2 Door Coupe
1934 Chrysler Airflow 2 Door Coupe
   
1934 Chrysler Airflow Interior
1934 Chrysler Airflow 4 Door Sedan
   
1934 Chrysler Airflow Series CU
1934 Chrysler Airflow Series CU
   
1934 Chrysler Airflow
1934 Chrysler Airflow
   
1934 Chrysler Airflow Straight Eight
1934 Chrysler Airflow
   
1934 Chrysler Airflow
1934 Chrysler Airflow
   
1934 Chrysler CU Airflow Eight Sedan
1934 Chrysler CU Airflow Eight Sedan
   
1934 Chrysler CV Imperial Airflow
 
 
1934 Chrysler Airflow Coupe
1934 Chrysler Airflow Coupe
1934 DeSoto Airflow
   
1934 DeSoto Airflow Coach
1934 DeSoto Airflow Coach
   
1934 DeSoto Airflow 2 Door Sedan Dash
1934 DeSoto Airflow Coach
   
1934 DeSoto Airflow
1934 DeSoto Airflow
   
1934 DeSoto Airflow
1934 DeSoto Airflow SE Sedan
   
 1934 DeSoto Airflow 4 Dood Sedan
 1934 DeSoto Airflow 2Door Coupe
   
1935 Chrysler Airflow 4 Door Sedan
1935 Chrysler Airflow 6 Passenger Coupe.
   
1935 Chrysler Airflow Ad
1935 DeSoto Airflow
1935 Chrysler Airflow Imperial Sedan
1935 Chrysler Airflow
   
1935 Chrysler Airflow C1 Sedan
1935 Chrysler Airflow Imperial Sedan
   
1934 (1935) Chrysler Imperial CX Airflow Limosine 8 Passanger
1934 (1935) Chrysler Imperial CX Airflow Limosine 8 Passanger
   
1934 (1935) Chrysler Imperial CX Airflow Limosine 8 Passanger
1934 (1935) Chrysler Imperial CX Airflow Limosine 8 Passanger
 This car and the reason it is a 1934 / 1935 is explained at the end of this page. Please scroll down for the details.  
1935 DeSoto SG Airflow Sedan
 1935 DeSoto Airflow SG Coupe
   
1936 Chrysler Airflow Coupe
1936 DeSoto S-3 Airflow III Coupe
1936 Chrysler Airflow
1936 Chrysler Airflow
   
1936 Chrysler Airflow
1936 Chrysler Airflow
   
1936 Chrysler Airflow
1936 Chrysler C10 Imperial Airflow
   
1936 Chrysler C10 Imperial Airflow
1936 Chrysler C10 Imperial Airflow
   
1936 Chrysler C10 Imperial Airflow
1936 Chrysler Imperial Airflow
   
1936 Chrysler Imperial Airflow
1936 Chrysler Airflow 8 Sedan
   
1936 DeSoto Airflow
1936 DeSoto Airflow
 
 
1936 DeSoto Airflow
This picture was submitted by Eric Gordon, Daytona Beach, FL.
It was taken at the Daytona Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL.
Nov. 27, 2008
1936 Chrysler C10 Imperial Airflow Sedan
This car is owned by Robert Head of Montreal Canada
Robert is in the process of restoring it.
1936 Chrysler C10 Imperial Airflow Sedan
This car is owned by Robert Head of Montreal Canada
   
1936 DeSoto Airflow Sedan
1937 Chrysler Airflow Club Coupe

 
 1934 Chrysler Imperial CX Airflow Limosine 8 Passanger
 
This car is owned by the Bouthillier family of Montrea, Quebec, Canada and the pictures were 
submitted by Gaetan Bouthillier
He had the following to say about the car.
"My father and I bought that car from David S. Howell (http://www.fordor.com/) in 1998. My father completely dismantled the car, had the engine and transmission redone. He also outcontracted the upholstery but everything was reassembled by him with the help of a knowledgeable mechanic friend.
The body was painted part by part by a reputable shop. It took 2 years of full time work by my father and his helper. 
My father restored a number of cars but had never seen such complexity and precision. This car had to be built beside the assembly line at the time. It is as complex as a Rolls Royce. 
The car was previously owned by Eugene Morningstar who died in Huntingdon, PA  and had bought it in 1967.
Before that it belonged to Paul Stern from Manheim, PA.
The car is now in a showroom at a luxury car dealer in Montreal http://www.johnscotti.com/ and is for sale
For further information on this car you may contact me at 
   

 
1934 Chrysler Airflow
1934 Chrysler Airflow CV Straight Eight Right Hand Drive
I wasn't going to add this picture to the page but then I want to show what a grand old car would turn into if it was left to the elements. This car is/was a very rare right hand drive car. It is located in Wymondham, Leicestershire, England.
It's owner was the late Peter Hill, who founded a car museum at Caister Castle, Norfolk. The reason for this neglect can only be for one reason, because he could.

To add a foot note to this story. Alex Scott contacted the new owners of the site and this car and was given permission to remove any or all the parts that were useable.
When Alex inspected the car he found that  it was so far gone that even the wheels and axles are unusable due to rust!  The floor is no longer there and so being of unitary construction it's back is broken.
He did however remove everything that was useful,  It was a fairly brutal and hurried process that no one enjoyed all that much, chopping up an old car like that with power saws, grinders, and an axe is a sad thing to have to do but at least he can re-use the parts.  The only thing that they could not remove on their first attempt, that they might go back for is the rear axle, other than that it's all stripped out now. There were one or two little bits like the temp gauge that are missing from his car and will be put to immediate use, the rest will go into my spares bank for future use on Alex's car or for redistribution to other vehicles in need.

This car is owned by Alex Scott also of the UK.
He had the following to say about his car. "I live in southeastern England and drive a reasonably well preserved unrestored right hand drive 34 Airflow CV straight eight, not quite as a daily ride but reasonably regularly. As far as I know there are only two right hand drive Straight eight 34 Airflow CV's in a road worthy condition.  Mine and one in New Zeeland....there may well be others though.
My car was built in the USA but supplied new in South Africa, hence the right hand drive. I have attached a photo of my car for your amusement...you could even put it on your tribute site if you want, it would make a sharp comparison with the other right hand drive car.

 
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