Vehicle Description
ONE OF JUST 1,584 EXAMPLES PRODUCED2019 NATIONAL DESOTO CONVENTION
BEST OF SHOW WINNERMULTIPLE CONCOURS AWARD WINNER 2019-232023 AACA
GRAND NATIONAL AWARD WINNER2021 AACA SENIOR NATIONAL FIRST PRIZE
AWARDHANDSOME COLOR COMBINATION & LEATHER INTERIORCOMFORTABLE &
LUXURIOUS PASSENGER COMPARTMENTPHOTO-DOCUMENTED, BODY-OFF
RESTORATIONDISTINGUISHED PROVENANCE INCLUDING CHUCK COCHRAN100 BHP
242 CI L-HEAD INLINE 6-CYLINDER ENGINE3-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
W/ FREEWHEELINGOVERDRIVE & 4-WHEEL LOCKHEED HYDRAULIC
BRAKESLANDMARK AERODYNAMIC STYLINGADVANCED ENGINEERING
THROUGHOUTDOCUMENTED BY COPY OF ORIGINAL BUILD CARD For 1934,
Chrysler Corporation shocked the automotive world with its all-new,
radically streamlined Airflow body design, featuring
industry-leading and extremely strong, all-steel unit-body
construction. A design far ahead of its time, the Airflow featured
built-in headlamps and an attractively flowing "waterfall" grille
up front, an extended-length hood, a modified V-shaped windshield,
and sleek, fully skirted rear fenders. Passenger comfort was second
to none with the Airflow?s wide, comfortable seats placed inside
the car's wheelbase. Extra-long leaf springs placed front and rear
enhanced the Airflow?s low ground clearance, delivering remarkable
ease of entry and exit. Lockheed 4-wheel hydraulic brakes delivered
industry-leading stopping power, while many competing marques still
relied on old-fashioned mechanical brakes. Other highly desirable
Airflow features included an ignition lock, full instrumentation, a
brake lamp, steering-hub headlamp controls, an automatic windshield
wiper, oil filter, and overdrive.However, despite the many quantum
leaps offered by the new Airflow models in terms of efficiency and
passenger safety, wary Depression-era buyers failed to respond in
the numbers Chrysler anticipated. Consequently, sales were
underwhelming and the original Airflow design was no more after
1936. However, today's collectors deeply appreciate the many
contributions made by the Airflow's designers and engineers to the
automobile and the cars are now highly sought-after.Rare as 1 of
just 1,584 5-Passenger DeSoto Airflow Coupes built for the
inaugural 1934 model year, this multiple award-winning
body-off-frame restoration has earned multiple Best of Show awards
between 2019 and 2023, including Best of Show and People?s Choice
at the 2019 National DeSoto Convention. Additional top-level honors
from the AACA include the Senior National First Prize in 2021 and
the Grand National Award in 2023.Sporting an exceedingly handsome
color combination and rich leather upholstery, this rare DeSoto
Airflow also features Chrysler?s robust, 100-horsepower 242 CI
inline 6-cylinder engine, paired with a 3-speed manual transmission
including freewheeling and very desirable overdrive. Provenance
includes past ownership under former Chrysler Airflow Club
president, Chuck Cochran. Accompanying documents include
restoration photographs, a listing of awards earned 2019-23, and
even a copy of the factory build card issued by Fiat Chrysler
Historical Services. If you?re seeking a rare surviving example of
the revolutionary Airflow from the first model year, with the
multiple award-winning restoration already done, this example is
ready to show, tour, and enjoy. See it for yourself! Contact us
today to get full details and prepare to add this Art Deco
masterpiece to your collection of automotive icons.
