Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional
example of this very rare and collectible frame off restored 1937
Chrysler C17 Airflow 8 Coupe, the last year and top-of-the-line
most expensive model of the Airflows!CCCA Full ClassicWhen
introduced in 1934 the Chysler Airflow as the most advanced
American automobile ever produced.Today widely hailed as a
masterpiece of Art Deco design and modern engineering.Rare last
year and most desirable C-17 chassis Coupe model.These Chrysler
Airflows cars were produced between 1934 and 1937. From 1934 to
1936, the wheelbase was 123" on these Chrysler 8-cylinder models,
both 4-door sedans and 2-door coupes and for 1936 the 123 wheelbase
Chrysler Airflow model was designated the C9 and the final models
built in the last year of production in 1937 had a 140" wheelbase
for sedans and 128" for the Coupe and were designated the C17. The
front end was also highly modified in '37 with an extended prow
along with the extended wheelbase. These models cost some 2-3 x as
much as Chrysler's conventional models making them instantly
exclusive. These are incredibly rare art deco masterpieces which
set both land speed records as well as being remarkable as
engineering pioneers. They were the first production cars to locate
the engine above the front axle (instead of behind it) and to
improve ride quality the Airflow design moved the passenger
compartment "cab forward" to the middle of the car's body.By 1937,
being last year of the Airflows these were to prove to be the most
refined and today the most collectible by far. This example, the
most desirable C-17 Eight Coupe is a full classic with the Classic
Car Of America which would be eligible for all the major concours
events.Of 230 Coupes reportedly built, about 5% of the total C-17
Eights built; very few are known to still exist today.The 323.5
cubic inch straight 8 is factory-correct and newly reconditioned
matched to the 3 speed freewheeling Borg Warner centrifugal
overdrive transmission. With over 138 HP and factory
3-speed/overdrive transmission, this C-17 coupe is capable of
modern traffic speeds, easily cruising at 70+ mph. The coupe has
been tested with a little more than 600 miles of driving in both
stop-and-go and highway-speed traffic, and stops like a modern car
with its power brakes.The frame was reconditioned when the body was
removed, and all the body-to-frame connections are intact. The
coupe is built using only original Chrysler hardware (screws,
washers, nuts and bolts stamped with the familiar MoPar logo DCDP
which stands for Dodge/Chrysler/DeSoto/Plymouth).Some major details
of the restoration:Body: Lead removed, painted original Gun Metal
Gray with English Coach Vermillion trimFrame: Media blasted,
painted original satin blackUpholstery: By copying an unrestored
car, done to exact factory pattern by a renowned expertUpholstery
material: Correct broadcloth material, supplied by LeBaron
BonneyCarpets: Correct horsehairSteering Wheel and Shift Knob:
Correct knob and rare banjo style wheel meticulously
restoredRadiator: Rebuilt, with a new coreEngine: Rebuilt, with
restored water and fuel pumps, starter, distributor, etc., with NOS
oil filterCylinder head: Reconditioned cast iron, extremely rare
and factory-correct, C17 raised lettersCarburetor: Rebuilt
1-barrel, rare Stromberg EX-32, with correct barrel-style electric
chokeTransmission: RebuiltOverdrive unit: RebuiltBraking system:
Rebuilt, with vacuum-assisted power boosterDifferential:
RebuiltMotor mounts: RebuiltShocks: RebuiltInstruments: Rebuilt,
calibrated and functioning correctlyChrome: Restored to new
condition and correctly pinstripedStainless: Restored to new
condition and correctly pinstripedGlass: New, with new gaskets
throughoutWiper motors: Rebuilt and functioningWiring: New Wheels:
Restored, checked for true and pinstriped to factory designTires:
Correct 7.00x16 black wall Coker Classic Radials, with Coker tubes