1935 Chrysler Airstream C-6

The modern, aerodynamic, and controversial Chrysler Airflow was introduced in 1934. It was mechanically sophisticated and its design was equally impressive, yet the American public was hesitant to embrace the new style. Reacting quickly, Chrysler introduced a more conventionally styled Airstream model a year later. It was introduced on January 2nd of 1935 followed by the new Deluxe Airstreams in May. The styling was courtesy of designer Raymond Bel Geddes and Ray Dietrich, who were also responsible for the restyling of the Dodge and Plymouth brands.

The styling of the Chrysler Airstream was appealing, the public agreed, and sales were much stronger. The 93 horsepower six-cylinder C-6 model with hydraulic brakes accounted for over 50% of total production. Body styles included a business, roadster, convertible coupe, sedan, touring sedan, and fastback sedan, and a rolling chassis. The wheelbase measured 118 inches and rode on 6.50 x 16-inch wide white sidewall tires. This was Chrysler's shortest wheelbase for 1935, as the Series CZ (Airstream and Deluxe Airstream) rested on a 121-inch or 133-inch wheelbase, the Series C-1 (Airflow) had a 123-inch wheelbase, the C-3 (Custom Airflow) measured 130-inches, and the Custom imperial Airflowpped the scales at 146.5-inches.

The L-head, six-cylinder engine had a 241.5 cubic-inch displacement, a cast-iron block, a standard 6.0:1 compression (an optional 6.5:1 compression ratio boosted power to 100 bhp), solid valve lifters, four main bearings, and a Carter carburetor. The engine was backed by a three-speed manual transmission and braking was handled by Lockheed four-wheel brakes.

The Airstream was in production between 1935 and 1936 and easily outsold the Airflow during that time. At the beginning of the 1937 model, Chrysler discontinued the Airstream model name for both DeSoto and Chrysler.

The two-door business coupe had a base price of $745 and 1,975 examples were built. 861 were the rumble seat coupe with a base price of $810, a two-door fastback sedan was priced at $820 and 400 examples were built. The touring brougham was $820 and the four-door sedan was $10 higher. 1,901 examples were the brougham and 6,055 wee sedans. The four-door touring sedan, priced at $860, was the most popular with 12,790 examples built. A convertible coupe was also part of the catalog, listed at $870, but it is unknown if any were produced.

The Series CZ was priced from $910 to $1,240, and the C-1 (offered in three body styles) all had a price of $1,245. The C-2 coupe and sedan both listed for $1,475, and the C-3 was in the $2,250 to $2,350 range. The range-topping Custom Imperial Airflow tipped the scales at over $5,000.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2020