1936 DeSoto Airstream

DeSoto produced vehicles from 1928 to 1961, initially serving as a lower-priced version of Chrysler products, with Plymouth and Dodge added to the Chrysler family in 1928. The two mid-priced makes of Dodge and DeSoto were relatively successful, with DeSoto priced below Dodge models. In the early 1930s, Chrysler reversed the market position of DeSoto and Dodge in hopes of stimulating Dodge sales. In 1934, the DeSoto was given Chrysler's streamlined Airflow bodies, albeit on a shorter DeSoto wheelbase. The aerodynamic designs were not well received, and the resulting slump in sales hurt DeSoto more than Chrysler, as Chrysler still had more traditional models on which to fall back.

1934 DeSotos used Chrysler's streamlined Airflow design with calendar year production of 15,825 units, a decrease of approximately 6,000 from the prior year. The Airstream was a more conventional model added in 1935 to help regain market position. Hoping to boost sales of the Airflow, the 1935 model received a redesigned front end, a slightly vee-shaped radiator, and a more sloping than rounded grille. 1936 was the final year of the Airflow.

The DeSoto Airstream was produced for the 1935 and 1936 model year and was sold along with the DeSoto Airflow, with the Airstream sedan priced approximately $220 less than its four-door Airflow sibling. The Airstream was powered by an L-head inline 6-cylinder engine with 241.5 cubic inches, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, a Ball & Ball one-barrel carburetor, and delivered 93 horsepower at 3,400 RPM, and 180 lb-ft of torque. The Airflow had a higher compression version of the engine (6.5:1 compression versus 6.0:1) and delivered 100 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were backed by a three-speed synchromesh transmission with floor-shift controls and a conventional clutch. Lockheed centrifuse hydraulic brakes were on all four corners, along with steel spoke wheels with Goodyear 'Airwheel' tires.

The Airstream had a 118-inch standard wheelbase and a longer 130-inch version, and the Airflow used a shorter 115.5-inch platform. The Airflow body style list was much shorter than the Airstream, with a coupe and sedan priced at $1,100. A combined total of 5,000 examples of the Airflow was built in 1936.

The Airstream was offered in both Deluxe and Custom trim levels, with the Deluxe versions priced from $695 to $810. The Customs listed from $745 to $1,100. Body styles on the Deluxe included a business coupe, a Touring sedan, and a touring brougham. The Custom had the same as the Deluxe but added a rumble seat coupe, convertible coupe, and a convertible sedan. A traveling Sedan, a seven-passenger sedan, a seven-passenger N.Y. Taxi, and a seven-passenger California Taxi were offered on the long-wheelbase platform with the Custom trim level. A bare LWB chassis was also offered for order and 460 of those were produced.

The taxicabs were built for the growing and popular Taxi cab market, complete with sliding sunroofs described as 'sunshine' cabs. Approximately 2,200 of the 2,951 DeSoto taxis had the sliding sunroof feature.

Deluxe Airstreams had a one-piece flat windshield, while the Customs, except for the convertibles, had a split vee-type windshield, fender skirt, running boards, fender skirts, and chrome moldings on top of the headlamps. Both Custom and Deluxe Airstreams had a new horizontal bar radiator grille and new hood louvers described as 'pennon.' It continued to have a loped vee-type radiator grille, bullet-shaped headlamp mounted on pedestals above the front fender catwalks, and a vee-shaped dip in the center of the bumper.

Standard features and equipment on the Airstream included 'Autolite ignition, hydraulic brakes, centrifuse brake drums, independent front suspension, extra-long springs, ride stabilizer, 'Floating Power,' and Goodyear's 'Airwheel Magic Carpet' ride.

The Deluxe Touring Sedan was the most popular body style, with 13,093 examples built. Two thousand five hundred ninety-two were Deluxe Business coupes, and 2,207 were Touring Sedans. 13,801 were Custom touring sedans and 1,120 were Custom Touring Broughams. A mere 215 examples of the convertible sedan, priced at a range-topping $1,095, were built.

DeSoto built 23 examples of the LWB Traveler Sedan and 208 of the seven-passenger Sedan.

DeSoto ranked 13th in the 1936 American production ranking, with 52,789 vehicles built during the calendar year.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020