Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 111
1936 Chrysler Imperial Airflow Series C-10 Sedan Chassis no. 7015285 Engine no. C10-4141
Estimate: US$75,000 - US$100,000
Lot 111
1936 Chrysler Imperial Airflow Series C-10 Sedan
The Audrain Concours Auction|4 October 2024, 17:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1936 Chrysler Imperial Airflow Series C-10 Sedan
Chassis no. 7015285
Engine no. C10-4141
Chassis no. 7015285
Engine no. C10-4141
323.5ci L-Head Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Carburetor
130bhp at 3,400rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
Solid Front and Rear Axles, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
Lockheed Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*An award-winning example of Chrysler's revolutionary Airflow
*Highly detailed restoration by RB Collection of Allentown, Pennsylvania
*Consistent award winner at concours events
*Previous Airflow Club National Meet 1st Prize winner
*Rare Airflow-only alloy cylinder head
*Lovely period correct Del Monte Beige paintwork
*Groundbreaking design and engineering
*Recognized by the CCCA as a Full Classic®
THE CHRYSLER AIRFLOW
At the New York Auto Show in January 1934, Chrysler Corporation made automotive history when it premiered the revolutionary new Airflow. The new model marked a radical departure from anything that preceded it, shocking onlookers in the process. In addition to its streamlined, Art Deco styling, the Airflow was bursting with technical ingenuity, primarily through its unique beam and truss body construction – a precursor to modern unibody methods. The body design saw the engine placed 20 inches further forward, allowing for an enormous interior with 50-inch wide chair-height seats, and a rear seat situated forward of the rear axle offering unprecedented head room. Passengers sat within the wheelbase, resulting in a remarkably smooth ride.
The Airflow was indeed a car ahead of its time. The futuristic styling is of course the hallmark – with its waterfall grille, stylized headlamps and bumpers – although the revolutionary unitary construction also made its share of headlines when new. Unfortunately for Chrysler, the public never quite warmed to the styling, and production problems with the new body construction led to quality issues. At the time, the Airflow was deemed a commercial failure and disappeared after 1937 with only 55,000 produced for both Chrysler and DeSoto car lines over four years. With hindsight, however, the Airflow's influence on future automobile production can hardly be understated, as its more than 50 engineering firsts and 72 national speed records can attest.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1936 Chrysler Imperial C-10 Airflow is a rare and beautiful example of the luxurious flagship Airflow. After spending nearly 50 years quietly tucked away in a museum, this car's recent history picks up around 2010 when it was acquired by Mr. Loren Hulber, a Pennsylvania-based collector with an exceptional passion for authenticity and detail. In 2013, Mr. Hulber entrusted local specialists RB Collection, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, to refurbish and detail the car for concours events. Attesting to the quality of the restoration and the attention to detail, this Airflow received of the DuPont Homsey Award at the 2014 100 Motorcars of Radnor Hunt, the Chairman's Award at the 2015 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, and the American Spirit Award at the 2015 Elegance at Hershey. Additionally, it received top honors at the Airflow Club National Meet in 2014.
Later in 2015, this car sold at auction for a world record price for an Airflow. It traded hands again 2018, and today is being offered from a prestigious and extensive collection of significant automobiles. Notably, as an Imperial, it is a Classic Car Club of America Full Classic® and eligible for their prestigious concours events and CARavan® Tours.
The body, finished in an authentic period shade of Del Monte Beige Metallic, is exquisitely presented and detailed with period-correct fender skirts, dual taillights, an exhaust extension, Appleton fog lights, artillery-type wheels, and wide whitewall tires. The interior, a fabulous display of Art Deco style, has been painstakingly restored with correct tan fabric upholstery and correct finishes on the dash and window surrounds. The wonderful square-shaped instruments are a highlight in the woodgrain fascia. An ultra-rare and very desirable genuine Airflow banjo steering wheel features prominently in the cabin, with other period accessories including a radio, a heater and a Trico defroster fan, fully restored to original specification.
Beneath the hood rests the robust L-head Imperial Eight engine, in a finely detailed compartment. The engine is topped with a very rare and correct Airflow-specific alloy cylinder head and a full set of new-old-stock Champion H10 spark plugs as would have been fitted when new. Great care and pride were taken to ensure the car was restored to factory specifications both cosmetically and mechanically.
Restored to award-winning standards and well-maintained in the ensuing years by enthusiastic collectors, it would be difficult to locate a finer example of Chrysler's highly advanced and groundbreaking Airflow, particularly in such rare and luxurious C-10 Imperial specification.
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