1937 Chrysler Airflow Eight Sedan

323.5ci L-Head Inline 8 Engine
Single Down-Draft Carburetor
130bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs and Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Believed two owners from new
*Design that went on to change the automotive world
*Extremely rare

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

As advertised by Chrysler as a car that, "..bores through the air", the Airflow of the mid-1930s was the first truly aerodynamic, streamlined American car. At the Highland Park wind tunnel in April 1930 Chrysler engineers aided by Orville Wright sought to discover the most naturally efficient shape suitable for an automobile. The public then in 1934 was introduced to a breakthrough semi-unitized steel body. Lightweight yet rigid, the Airflow was years ahead of the competition – and the press was absolutely enamored by it. With great fanfare, dealerships stocked showroom floors only to be greeted by a public that was less than impressed – barely 11,000 cars sold against nearly 25,000 conventional 6-cylinder models – and it became apparent that sales would not meet expectations. Design consultants Raymond Dietrich and Norman Bel Geddes were called in in 1935 to help weather depression-hampered sales. The modern waterfall front grill gave way to a slightly peaked unit. Functional fender louvers were reworked as decorative appointments and however still, sales fell to 7,800. Receiving yet another facelift in '36, sales continued their downward trend.

In its final year, Airflow now reduced to a single model, flat dashboards, recessed controls and a multitude of safety features came as standard equipment on the final 4,600 units before Chrysler canceled the program. The model offered here, a later '37, was delivered new to Frey Motors in Bergenfield, NJ as evident by its dealer delivery document. The early life remains unclear though through inspection of the vehicle's history file, it is likely the dealer retained the vehicle before being purchased by a member of the Frey family. The museum purchased the Airflow from Mrs. Frey in spring of 1991 and began a total restoration before placing it on display.

Although a failure in the marketplace for Chrysler, the legacy of the Airflow remains clear. The benefits of its design became immediately evident to designers around the world. Dr. Porsche, although highly rumored, likely designed his Beetle with the Airflow in mind, while out east, a largely copied design would become the secret to success for a new venture called Toyota. Indeed, one of the most influential vehicles ever built, the breathtaking design of this Airflow can be yours.