Vehicle Description
In April of 1934, the Major Bowes Amateur Hour debuted on WHN radio
in New York City. "Major" Edward Bowes, who created and hosted the
show, was a former vaudeville actor and the managing director of
New York's lavish Capitol Theater. Through his multiple business
partnerships, Bowes was also the manager of WHN radio, providing
him the ideal venue to launch his new radio program. While the
"average American" talent contest wasn't a new concept, Bowes set
his show apart from similar programs through the ingenious use of a
telephone voting system where listeners could phone in their pick
for the winner. The show was an overnight hit, and within a year,
Bowes signed with NBC to broadcast his show across America, as part
of the Chase and Sandborn Coffee radio hour. He gained nationwide
stardom, and soon switched to CBS Radio Network, picking up
significant sponsorship from Chrysler Corporation. Many great
talents graced the stage of the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, including
a singing quartet called The Hoboken Four, led by an up-and-coming
Frank Sinatra. In addition to his weekly radio program, Bowes
oversaw a traveling troupe of his best performers, who played live
shows around the country. While it was not a glamorous life for the
performers, the shows made Major Bowes a very wealthy man, and he
oversaw his entertainment empire right up to his death in 1946.
Even after Bowes' death the show continued, successfully
transitioning to television with Ted Mack as host, and surviving on
both radio and TV until the 1970s! Major Bowes may not be a
well-known name today, but his legacy shines brightly in the
enormous popularity of talent shows today. Through his close
business relationship chief sponsor Chrysler Corporation, Major
Bowes received this extraordinary, custom-built 1937 CW Imperial
Airflow as a thank you for his services. Chrysler did not offer the
long-wheelbase CW Imperial as a production model in 1937, yet they
made three exceptions for their most important clients. Using 1936
components updated with 1937 bumpers, grilles, and trim, Chrysler
and LeBaron custom-built three examples of the massive CW Imperial
Airflow. The first was built for chocolate magnates the Hershey
Family of Pennsylvania, a second for Philippines President Manuel
L. Querzon, and the third for Major Bowes. Each one was
individually crafted with unique touches to suit the wishes of the
owner. Today, just two remain, the Querzon car still in the hands
of the Philippines government, and this Major Bowes car. With its
revolutionary streamlined design, the eight-cylinder CW Imperial
was unlike any other luxury automobile of its day. A 1937 Chrysler
Corporation press release touted it as "The world's most luxurious
motor car" and Look Magazine featured it as "Major Bowes $25,000
car!" Built on an enormous 146-inch wheelbase chassis, the CW is a
grand and imposing machine; a car with the stature to reflect its
famous owner. Unique touches to the styling include skirted rear
fenders which enhance the Airflow's wind-tunnel derived shape,
blanked out rear quarter windows, and special "Custom Built by
LeBaron" badging on the fenders. The legendary coachbuilder's
contribution becomes more apparent when you open the rear door,
revealing the stunningly elaborate passenger compartment. Chrysler
built this car to be a rolling billboard, sparing no expense on its
construction. The interior was trimmed in the finest two-tone
Laidlaw wool broadcloth, and exquisite details include hand-carved
"Sock and Buskin" mask motifs in pure jade, inlaid in the door
panels with lighting and trim resembling an Art Deco theater.
LeBaron contracted with Dirigold to produce the bespoke
non-tarnishing gold-colored fittings and trim featured throughout
the rear compartment. The Major was undoubtedly a busy man while on
tour, and his limousine was appointed like a mobile office. The
central armrest opened to reveal a small writing desk, and his
secretary could ride in the swiveling jump seat to take notes. The
rear window is louvered and the quarterlights are blanked out for
maximum privacy. When it came time to relax, the fabulously ornate
central division housed a full bar with lavish Dirigold and
sterling silver drinkware, two humidors, a radio, and more. The
drinks bottles, drinkware, and gentleman's grooming kit (complete
with plug-in electric razor) all remain with the car. Other
fascinating details include a hollow footrest designed to house a
walking stick and umbrella. Naturally there's a powered glass
partition, along with inset Jaeger clock, a compass, and a
barometer. According to records, the car returned to Chrysler in
1941. It was allegedly repainted black and put into wartime service
in 1942, used by Admiral Chester Nimitz as a staff car. After the
war, it was used by a limousine service in San Diego, before ending
up on a used car lot in the late 1960s. Airflow club member Johnny
McLean discovered it there in 1967, and through his research,
confirmed its identity as the Major Bowes car. He began the
restoration, but passed away before seeing it to fruition. His
widow passed the torch to Frank Kleptz in 1979, who completed it
with spectacular results. Now returned to the correct shade of
Brewster green, the mighty Imperial Airflow still impresses. It
presents in lovely order, with a rich character and slight careworn
patina to the matured restoration. Despite an extended period of
storage, the paint and brightwork remain quite attractive with good
straight panels and all of the unique trim parts intact.
Approaching the car, you are struck by its sheer scale and its
superlative build quality. Chrysler obviously took the time to
craft this machine to a high standard, with little regard to cost.
Quite remarkably, many of the original interior details and
accessories remain with the car. Powering the beast is a
period-correct 384.4 cubic-inch L-head inline eight, painstakingly
sourced by Kleptz during the restoration. Rated for 150 horsepower,
the big eight is renowned for its strength and durability with
superlative refinement. Due to the extended period in storage, some
recommissioning will be necessary. This superlative CW Imperial
Airflow Limousine served as a dramatic statement for both
Chrysler's bold, innovative Airflow design, and for Major Bowes'
status as one of America's most revered entertainment moguls. We
are honored to offer this fascinating, one-of-a-kind historic
motorcar to the public for the first time in over four decades.
Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6841-1937-chrysler-cw-airflow-major-bowes/