1934 Chrysler Airflow Series CU Sedan

The Chrysler Airflow is considered to be the very first production streamlined car. Produced from 1934-1937, it was far ahead of its time. The basis for the Chrysler Airflow was rooted in Chrysler Engineer Carl Breer's curiosity about how forms affected their movement through the environment. Breer's interest was piqued while watching geese travel through the air in a 'V' pattern.

Breer, along with several other Chrysler engineers, began a series of wind tunnel tests. Chrysler built a wind tunnel at their Highland Park, Michigan site, and they tested various scale models dating back to April 1930. Engineers found that the current automotive design was so aerodynamically inefficient, it was actually more efficient when the vehicles were turned around backward. Applying what they learned, they also studied ways that a car could be built utilizing a more streamlined body, which would allow air to flow around it instead of being caught through upright forms, such as radiator grilles, headlights, and windshields.

Numerous ahead-of-its-time features abound on the Airflow models. Sadly, the world was not ready for all of this technology and the cars were sales disasters. This led the Chrysler Corporation to take on a considerably more conservative approach with all of its cars from 1939 on.

Today, the Airflow offers a rare glimpse at a time gone by. This 1934 Airflow is one of the earlier models and it has been fully restored to its former glory.