1936 DeSoto Airstream Coupe

The Desoto Airstream was built by the Chrysler Corporation and sold through its DeSoto division from 1935 through 1936. They were sold alongside the DeSoto Airflow, but were more conventionally styled and cost considerably less. The design of the Airstream was created under the direction of Raymond Dietrich, a legendary former custom body designer and former coachbuilder who led Chrysler designers out of the Airflow era.

The public agreed with the design of the Airstream, with sales of DeSoto's exceeding 116 percent for 1935. The Airflow was phased out while the production of the DeSoto continued.

For 1936, there were only minor changes. The chassis was lowered by an inch and the wheelbase lengthened by an inch to 117 inches. The soft inserts of earlier cars were replaced with metal roof inserts. The front suspension was independent, a feature introduced in 1935, and hydraulic brakes could be found at all four corners.

This 1936 Airstream Business Coupe was one of the first coupe styles to have a deck lid extending down to bumper level, providing access to the trunk compartment. Mounted vertically behind the single 2-passenger seats is the spare tire. This car was ordered with factory-installed rear wheel shields.

It is believed that this elegant coupe has had only two owners since new. The odometer shows just 32,400 miles which is believed to be accurate. The car remains in factory original, well-preserved condition. It has been in storage for many years, so the current owner commissioned a professional restoration facility to make the car fully operational again after its slumber.

There were only 2,592 examples of the 2-Passenger Coupe created. In 2008, this example was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. The car was estimated to sell for $30,000 - 50,000 but left the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008