1935 DeSoto Airflow

Walter Chrysler introduced his first 'Chrysler Six' in 1924, instantly gaining the automotive world's attention. His mechanical aptitude and talent for organization helped his company ascend to what is now known as the 'Big Three.' In 1928 he introduced the Plymouth, but what he needed was the capacity of the foundries that Dodge held. Walter negotiated a deal to acquire the Dodge brand, but the bankers were reluctant to make a deal. In retaliation, Walter threatened to build a car that would compete with Dodge if they didn't accept the deal. Work began on the new DeSoto, and when the bankers caught wind of this, they relented and sold Dodge to Chrysler in one of the biggest deals of the century. With the deal in place, many thought the DeSoto brand would be stillborn. Just four days after the Dodge acquisition, the DeSoto went into production and would sell over 81,000 cars in its inaugural year.

The aerodynamic DeSoto Airflow was introduced in 1934 and would remain in production through 1936. It made its debut alongside its more luxurious stablemate, the Chrysler Airflow. The styling was a radical departure from many other vehicles on the road, and some considered it too futuristic and controversial. Its smooth exterior design had a broad waterfall-style grille, a split windshield with each of the two panes of glass angled to better redirect the air around them, and headlights housed in flush mountings on either side of the grille. In the back, the rear wheels were encased behind fender skirts.

The smooth and aerodynamic features allowed for a quieter passenger compartment and ample interior space. The unibody construction allowed the passengers to ride within the car's frame, not on top of the frame like so many other vehicles of the era. Additionally, it allowed for a stiffer body and better weight distribution.

The radical DeSoto Airflow was light years ahead of its and was one of the first to use wind tunnel testing in its sleek and aerodynamic design. Sadly, the motoring public did not agree with the drastic new look, and production ended after three years.

The 1935 DeSoto Airflow was available as a sedan, 2- and 4-door Touring sedan, convertible coupe, business coupe, and rumble seat coupe. The most popular was the 4-door Touring sedan which found 8,018 willing buyers. Just 226 examples of the convertible coupe were built.

Attempting to tame the design, the 1935 DeSoto received a new front end with a slightly vee-shaped radiator. Mechanically, the Airflow gained a Hypoid rear axle, and the rear anti-sway bar was moved to the front of the car. The freewheeling feature was no longer used. Standard equipment included Lockheed four-wheel hydraulic brakes, Centrifuse brake drums, fender skirts, and Autolite ignition.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 5085100

The Chrysler Corporation revolutionized the automotive market in 1934 with its all-new and radically streamlined Airflow models. The aerodynamic design was years ahead of its time and a precursor to the 'cab forward' designs. The Airflow had a spacious interior with a wide front seat that was roomy enough to carry three adults abreast. Since the engine was placed forward over the front axle and the passenger cabin was placed between the front and rear axles, ride comfort was vastly improved as well. Along with its aerodynamic design, it had equally impressive mechanical features such as unit-body construction.

The Airflow had great fuel economy when compared with the more conservatively styled automobiles of its era. Racing driver Harry Hartz reinforced this point by driving a cross-continental road trip from New York to San Francisco, California, with a total fuel bill of just $33.06, averaging over 22 mpg. Under AAA scrutiny at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1934, a Chrysler Imperial Airflow Coupe shattered no fewer than 70 records.

The vehicle's aerodynamic and futuristic styling was also its downfall. It never gained the popularity that many hoped it would. Production crept along for only a few years, ending in 1936.

This top-of-the-line Series SG DeSoto Airflow Sedan is one of less than 7,000 built for the model year. The car is powered by a 241.5 cubic-inch L-head six-cylinder engine with a single-barrel carburetor and 100 horsepower. There is a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission and Lockheed four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the St. Johns auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $25,000 - $35,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $27,500, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 5088307

The entire DeSoto lineup for 1934 featured Chrysler Corporation's all-new and radically streamlined Airflow design. Walter P. Chrysler had high hopes for this new futuristic and streamlined model, and five body styles were offered for the introductory year. The design was ahead of its time. It featured built-in headlamps and wider front seats accommodating up to three adults. The hood was extended past the front axle, and the rear fenders were fully-skirted. Other advanced styling features included a rounder radiator grille and a modified vee'd windshield.

The Airflow series had a low-drag body, advanced unit-body construction, and Lockheed hydraulic brakes. They had low ground clearance and extra-long front and rear leaf springs.

For 1935, the more conventionally-styled SF-Series Airflows debuted, outselling the more radical SG-Series cars by a factor of over three to one.

This example is a late-production SG-Series Airflow sedan restored by Mr. Randy Rutherford of Pennsylvania, a former DeSoto Club president. The current owner acquired the car in 2002.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the St. Johns sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $22,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

This Desoto Airflow is one of 6,800 produced. Airflows have been described by many automotive historians as having made the most significant technological contributions of any car manufactured in its time. The car was found in Arkansas after spending decades in an Idaho museum. Airflows were only produced in two-door and four-door models with a base price of $1,015.00. It has a six-cylinder 242 cubic-inch engine producing 140 horsepower. A complete body-on restoration, engine rebuild, and new interior were completed in 2011.

Sedan
Chassis number: 9603496

This DeSoto Airflow spent much of its early years in Canada. It was given a restoration in 2013 and 2014, and following the work, it was shown at the National Chrysler Products meet.

This DeSoto is equipped with a rear-mounted spare, driver-side mirror, rear fender skirts, and artillery-style wheels mounted with factory hubcaps and wide whitewall tires. The exterior is finished in colors similar to the factory Bellevue Beige and Columbia Beige. The interior is done in houndstooth cloth.

The car is currently in the Jack Dunning collection.

by Dan Vaughan

The Carl Breer-designed Chrysler Airflow was ahead of its time in terms of aerodynamics. The design was revolutionary for the 1930s; the sales, however, would be its downfall. The vehicle's design came about after many hours spent in wind tunnels. Orville Wright, an aviation expert, was called upon to help design a vehicle that achieved aerodynamics similar to an airplane. Lightweight, rigid materials were used to help compliment the vehicle's design. A prototype called the Trifon Special was constructed in 1932. In 1934, the production model was completed and ready for sale.

Chryslers Airflows used strictly eight cylinders, while the De Soto version used six cylinders. The vehicle could be purchased in five different wheelbase lengths. The largest length measured 145 inches and was dubbed the Custom Imperials.

The front of the car had a large grill that extended from the hood to the bumper. When sales did not do well, the grill was changed to a more conventional 'skyscraper' gill in 1935. This also did not produce desirable sales results, so the grill was again modified. Sadly, sales still were unacceptable.

Hydraulic brakes were fitted to the car. A three-speed manual gearbox was used. The 122-horsepower Inline-8 could power the car from zero to sixty in 19.5 seconds and attain a top speed of about 88 miles per hour.

During the first year of production, 11,292 Chrysler Airflow's were sold. The cheaper De Soto alternative sold 13,940 vehicles. The 1936 year saw only 6,285 Chrysler Airflow sales and 5,000 De Soto sales. In 1937, the vehicle was taken off the market.

by Dan Vaughan