1936 DeSoto Airflow Sedan

The DeSoto Airflow was produced from 1934 through 1936 and built by the Chrysler Corporation. As the name suggests, these vehicles were aerodynamic, curvy, and smooth. Full fender skirts enclosed the rear fenders, the windshield was vee-shaped, the headlamps were built into the body, and the radiator grille was rounded. The interior could accommodate three adults in the front seat.

The Airflow was partly a design study and partly a tribute to mechanical excellence. Great effort had been taken to achieve neutral weight distribution and to lower the body closer to the ground. The lower was achieved due to a unit-body construction and additional long leaf springs. These changes added to the vehicle's performance, enhanced the handling, and improved the fuel mileage.

The Airflow received minor styling improvements in 1936, the most noticeable was the addition of an ornamental radiator grille design.

This 1936 DeSoto Airflow Sedan is powered by a 241-5 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine with Ball & Ball carburetor is capable of producing 100 horsepower. It has a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission with overdrive and Lockheed four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

At the 2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook it was estimated to fetch $30,000 - $40,000. It was sold at a price of $38,500.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006