Vehicle Description
The Chrysler Corporation made automotive history when it premiered
the Airflow at the New York International Auto Show in January
1934. A product of Chrysler designer Carl Breer, along with fellow
Chrysler engineers Fred Zeder and Owen Skelton, the Airflow was a
monumental breakthrough in automotive design. In addition to its
streamlined, Art Deco looks, the car was bursting with technical
ingenuity: a novel beam-and-truss design combining light weight and
superb strength, a precursor to the unibody; an enormous interior
with chair-height, 50-inch-wide seats; a rear seat situated forward
of the rear axle, offering unprecedented room7592 1936 Chrysler
Airflow Coup, a first an automobile; and an engine placed over the
front axle, 20 inches further forward than in other Chryslers,
making for a very spacious front seat. All passengers sat within
the wheelbase, resulting in a remarkably smooth ride. Although the
press was generally positive in its reaction and enamored with the
car's technology, the public was not. The blunt shape did not
arouse enthusiasm, and many of the design cues that are now
cherished by enthusiasts were shunned in their day. Airflows
disappeared after 1937 but are today regarded as automotive icons
due to their myriad of technical and stylistic advancements. This
1936 Chrysler Airflow Series C9 Coupe is particularly rare as one
of just 110 examples built and only 5 known to survive. A copy of
the factory build card, supplied by FCA Historical Services,
confirms this Airflow C9 was built with such desirable features as
overdrive and power-assisted, Lockheed hydraulic brakes. Its known
and unbroken provenance stretches back to 1958. A detailed,
concours-level restoration was performed during the early 2000s and
more recently elevated in 2016-2017. Resplendent in Fawn Beige, the
presentation is exquisite, with outstanding paint and impeccable
brightwork and detailing. The cabin is expansive and accommodating
and is beautifully trimmed with herringbone broadcloth upholstery.
A large speedometer and multigauge highlight the beautiful Art Deco
dash, which is finished in a complementary shade of dark brown. At
the heart of the Airflow is Chrysler's 323 c.i. inline eight,
producing 115 horsepower. A smooth-shifting three-speed manual
backs the engine, and while the overall design is somewhat
conventional for such an advanced car, it is beautifully engineered
and constructed, imparting the Airflow with the outstanding road
manners for which they are well known. The engine is finely
detailed as befitting of a concours-restored car. The car has been
active on the show circuit and concours entries include the Hilton
Head Island Concours d'Elegance in 2018, and again in 2021 when the
Airflow earned the esteemed Palmetto Award. In 2019, the rare
Chrysler was exhibited in Tampa, Florida, at the Gasparilla
Concours d'Elegance, winning Best in Class. It has earned AACA
National First Place Junior, Senior, and Grand National awards,
AACA President's Cup in the SE Region in 2018, First in Class
honors at the 2022 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, as well as the
Walter P. Chrysler (Best of Show) award at the Airflow Club of
America's 2022 meeting. While the Chrysler Airflow was only briefly
made, its advanced design foreshadowed numerous design principles
still in use among the world's automakers. This exceedingly rare
and sporting C9 Coupe is a true design landmark, and a most fitting
touchstone to the engineering excellence of Walter P. Chrysler and
his staff. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7592-1936-chrysler-airflow-c9-coupe/
