Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional
example of this extraordinarily rare 1936 Chrysler Airflow Series
C11 Custom Imperial Sedan (1 of reportedly only 38 built in the
sole 1936 production year and thought to be one of only two now
remaining) with its original 323.5 CID inline 8 cylinder L Head
engine matched to a 3-speed manual Warner automatic overdrive
transmission. In 1934 Chrysler introduced an entirely new kind of
automobile, the Airflow. Chrysler engineers streamlined an entirely
new automobile, testing the configurations in a wind tunnel, with
the help of the legendary Orville Wright! These engineers also
rearranged the structure of the new car for improved riding comfort
to be the most modern of its day! By moving then engine forward and
increasing the length of the front springs and the seats
positioning between the axles, road shocks were sharply reduced on
the passengers. Six-cylinder Airflow DeSotos were available in
2-door coupes and 4-door sedan configurations. The larger Chrysler
Airflows had the 8-cylinder variant engine and the Imperial model
had a slightly longer wheelbase. The cars proved very expensive to
build and the smaller DeSoto Airflows were discontinued after 1936
and the 8 cylinder Chryslers after 1937. Recent reports from the
Airflow Club show very few survivors today. Chrysler also offered
two custom versions of the Airflow Imperials. The larger series,
designated CW, were taller, wider and longer than the production
cars and equipped with larger engines and heavier running gear and
shared almost no components of the other models. Up to 100 Airflow
CWs were built with about 8 know to still exist today. Aside from
the CWs Chrysler set aside a few of these Imperial models for
LeBaron conversion to the 'Custom Imperial'. This conversion
consisted on a 9" stretch of the chassis and an equivalent
lengthening of the Imperial body, with the extra length for the
rear passenger area. For 1936 the LeBaron cars were named the
Series C11. Chrysler historical records show that 75 serial numbers
were set aside for the C11, 38 of them for the sedan and 37 for the
limousine, which had a divider partition with roll down window
separating the rear passenger compartment from the driver's seat.
Chrysler shipping records show that only 62 were actually built and
shipped. The Airflow Club of America established in 1962 had
reports of only 3 x C11s still known to be in existence. One was
reportedly dismantled before 1968. One is a limousine currently in
Australia and this subject C11 sedan car is the third. Therefore,
it's likely to be the one surviving C11 sedan available anywhere in
the world today! The Chrysler LeBaron models (for 1936 the C11s and
CWs) were sold as special order custom coachbuilt cars. Dealers or
purchasers could order the cars with interior appointments and
paint colors to order. In place of the usual exterior and interior
trim codes shown on the body data this C11 shows only the order
number. Authentic restoration therefore permits use of any period
correct paint colors as well as fabric or leather trim. Surviving
information about C11s include sales brochures, maintenance manuals
and parts lists, each of which provides specific details of the
cars. The build history for 7809320 was obtained from the
Fiat-Chrysler Historical Society and shows the car was shipped to
'J.B. Martin', a Chrysler dealer in Harrisburg, PA. The build date
was June 22nd, 1936. The body number 231-64 was built by 'Briggs'
and shipment was by boat. It was equipped with engine number
C11-1072 and an overdrive transmission. Gear ratio was 4.33:1.
Options on this car included a special steering wheel and six road
wheels. Like all Airflows it had Duplate safety glass. According to
Airflow Club records 7803920 was first reported to the club
sometime before 1969 in Lancaster County, PA. From at least 1969
until 1975 it belonged to Airflow collector and dealer Paul Stern,
who sold it to Ken Curtis of Raleigh, NC. Ken sold it to Ray
Harmuth Sr in 1992, some 17 years later. Mr Harmuth Sr had
restoration work performed on the chassis and body by Gary Hoover
of Alliance, OH. In approximately 2004, Ray Harmuth Jr, inherited
the car from his father. When Mr Harmuth passed in 2019 his widow
sold the car to Jon Clulow of Pasadena, MD and John Boyd of San
Diego, CA. Included in the sale were many new and used replacement
parts for the Airflow. Mr Clulow has been a member of the Airflow
Club for many years and is very experienced in Airflow restoration.
He undertook to restore the car again using the parts it came with
along with parts from his own extensive collection. Jon oversaw a
complete professional engine overhaul on the original matching
numbers C11-1072 engine, performed by Rockville Ring &
Bearing in Rockville, MD. New bearings for cam, crankshaft and
rods, valves, tappets, guides, pistons and rings were installed.
The block was thoroughly cleaned and checked for cracks, cylinders
were bored .020 over, the new crankshaft bearings were line-bored,
and the block was decked. A newly cast, original mold alloy Airflow
cylinderhead was obtained from the Airflow Club parts store. The
transmission used was an overhauled unit taken from a driving
Chrysler Airflow. New rubber parts, brake shoes, weatherstrips,
motor mounts and miscellaneous other parts collected by the car's
previous owner were installed. Once the car was completely
reassembled, the car was transported from MD to CA for the
disassembly for body repairs and refinishing. The body was finished
at 'AG Body' in El Cajon, CA. The repair began with complete
removal of the old paint and body filler. The car was sent to a
specialist sand and blasting shop where it was completely blasted.
Once done it became clear that any previous rust issues had been
satisfactory repaired. The body was aligned, smoothed, filled and
blocked, then painted with two-stage paint in a metallic
Bronze-Gray finish, a period correct color, yet contemporarily
stylish. The paint was color sanded and buffed to a high gloss.
Meanwhile all exterior bright metal was sent to professional
polishers and platers for refinishing. In Spring 2021 the exterior
trim was installed and new Airflow Club reproduction hubcap skins
were installed. New tires were purchased and mounted on the
refinished wheels. Interior brightwork was finished in the
Custom-Imperial appropriate satin chrome by 'Artistic Silver
Plating' in Long Beach, CA and the dash was reassembled with
refinished instruments and brightwork. Wheel trim and original
style sunbursts in 'Casino Red' were applied by 'CSNRS Color
Studio' in Santee, CA, who also refinished the steering wheel and
radio blanking plate. A new interior was constructed by Armando
Moran of San Diego. Seat cushions were rebuilt and upholstered in a
Blue'Gray leather. Matching door panels and wool headliner were
also fabricated and installed. A coordinated Dark Gray was selected
for the new carpet. Interior metal trim was refinished in Tuxedo
Black. Armando followed the detail patterns from two original door
panels that came with the car, and he fabricated wind lace, arm
rests, visors, and rear seat passenger grab straps to the original
patterns. He also finished the trunk and installed correct matting.
Photos of the restoration from start to finish are available and
will be included in the sale of the car. The car has been shown at
several judged meets since the restoration was completed. In two
Spring 2022 judged shows; the first in Lake Las Vegas, NV (Antique
Automobile Club of America) and the second in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
(Classic Car Club of America) with the car winning FIRST IN CLASS
at both shows, qualifying it for Senior Division in both clubs! At
the 20...for more information please contact the seller.
