.jpg?w=1)
Details
1936 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW FOUR-DOOR SEDAN
Chassis No. 6607638
Engine No. C92548
Brown with tan interior
Engine: straight eight, side valves, 323 cu. in, 115bhp; Gearbox: three speeds with overdrive; Suspension: semi elliptic front, live axle to rear with half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel drums. Left hand drive.
Walter Chrysler's motor empire flourished through the 1920s with a range of tough, good looking touring cars with high gearing and big four, six and eight cylinder engines. Very conventional and solidly engineered, they were just what the mid-price market wanted.
As the 1930s opened, it became evident to the company that new, more scientific ways of building automobiles were coming. They had already commissioned European aerodynamics expert Paul Jaray to radically reshape a Chrysler Model 75 and that had shown impressive improvements in speed and stability. Chrysler hired industrial artist Norman Bel Geddes to work with James Zeder, their redoubtable engineering chief, to produce what they were to call, the first real motor car since the invention of the automobile. That they certainly achieved. A drivable prototype took to the road in 1932; the type was shown to the public in January 1932. The Chrysler Airflow was given an advanced all steel unitary construction hull, the lengthy engine was moved well forward to provide space to seat all occupants within the wheelbase, there would be independent front suspension.
The car's sensational styling has come to symbolize early 1930s Art Deco taste, along with Walter Chrysler's own bizarre and appealing Chrysler Building skyscraper in New York. It was certainly efficient. A stock Imperial Airflow coupe went to Salt Lake in Utah, and there in conditions of savage heat, covered 2,026 miles in 24 hours, an average of 84.43mph, with a best flying mile recorded at 95.7mph - very commendable indeed for a four door sedan.
Today the Airflow beguiles with its bulk, its outrageous shape and wealth of intricate detail, much of it unique to this model. As a means of transportation the sedan has much to commend it, offering great comfort for four people and plenty of leg room. It all was too much for middle-class America, sales were a disaster; hasty redrawing of the front end merely compromised the purity of the concept. In 1937 the Airflow passed into history, never having made a cent for Chrysler.
This Airflow is one of the wonderfully patinated automobiles in the Pettit collection. It was purchased in Philadelphia in the 1950s, from a long-time owner who insisted on demonstrating that it could indeed reach 100mph on the speedometer! It is understood that is was last used when the museum closed in 1967, when it was in good running order. There are minor imperfections on the fenders and parts of the paintwork will need attention. The interior is in exceptional condition, complete and unmarked, except for worn carpets. There is a period Silvertone radio amongst other rare period fittings.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Chassis No. 6607638
Engine No. C92548
Brown with tan interior
Engine: straight eight, side valves, 323 cu. in, 115bhp; Gearbox: three speeds with overdrive; Suspension: semi elliptic front, live axle to rear with half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel drums. Left hand drive.
Walter Chrysler's motor empire flourished through the 1920s with a range of tough, good looking touring cars with high gearing and big four, six and eight cylinder engines. Very conventional and solidly engineered, they were just what the mid-price market wanted.
As the 1930s opened, it became evident to the company that new, more scientific ways of building automobiles were coming. They had already commissioned European aerodynamics expert Paul Jaray to radically reshape a Chrysler Model 75 and that had shown impressive improvements in speed and stability. Chrysler hired industrial artist Norman Bel Geddes to work with James Zeder, their redoubtable engineering chief, to produce what they were to call, the first real motor car since the invention of the automobile. That they certainly achieved. A drivable prototype took to the road in 1932; the type was shown to the public in January 1932. The Chrysler Airflow was given an advanced all steel unitary construction hull, the lengthy engine was moved well forward to provide space to seat all occupants within the wheelbase, there would be independent front suspension.
The car's sensational styling has come to symbolize early 1930s Art Deco taste, along with Walter Chrysler's own bizarre and appealing Chrysler Building skyscraper in New York. It was certainly efficient. A stock Imperial Airflow coupe went to Salt Lake in Utah, and there in conditions of savage heat, covered 2,026 miles in 24 hours, an average of 84.43mph, with a best flying mile recorded at 95.7mph - very commendable indeed for a four door sedan.
Today the Airflow beguiles with its bulk, its outrageous shape and wealth of intricate detail, much of it unique to this model. As a means of transportation the sedan has much to commend it, offering great comfort for four people and plenty of leg room. It all was too much for middle-class America, sales were a disaster; hasty redrawing of the front end merely compromised the purity of the concept. In 1937 the Airflow passed into history, never having made a cent for Chrysler.
This Airflow is one of the wonderfully patinated automobiles in the Pettit collection. It was purchased in Philadelphia in the 1950s, from a long-time owner who insisted on demonstrating that it could indeed reach 100mph on the speedometer! It is understood that is was last used when the museum closed in 1967, when it was in good running order. There are minor imperfections on the fenders and parts of the paintwork will need attention. The interior is in exceptional condition, complete and unmarked, except for worn carpets. There is a period Silvertone radio amongst other rare period fittings.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Sale room notice
Please note that the chassis number is 6607628.