Page 96 - Experience Magazine Winter 2023

Every once in a great while, a new product comes along brochure at a Chrysler dealership would have read that
that is simply ahead of its time. The aerodynamic 1934- the Airflow was “Engineered to stay years ahead.”
37 Chrysler Airflow was one such product. It is hard to Ultimately the public was not yet ready for such a
overstate how shocking the Chrysler Airflow was in the break from the past and sales were low. Even so, the
mid-1930s. Today, aerodynamics dictate every aspect of Airflow was a bold move that helped establish Chrysler’s
automotive styling, but in the early 1930s mass market reputation as an engineering powerhouse.
automotive design hadn’t yet deviated far from the
automobile’s “horseless carriage” roots. Most cars still It takes similar boldness to take a 1935 Chrysler Airflow
featured long hoods ending in upright waterfall grilles, coupe and turn it into a custom performance machine,
elaborate hood ornaments, floating headlamps and side- but the one offered with No Reserve at the 2023 Barrett-
mounted spare tires. Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January is an Airflow
perfectly suited to its time. Taking a seldom-seen C1
For the Airflow (also shared with the DeSoto division), 2-door coupe, the owner dedicated more than 4 years to
Chrysler engineers took inspiration from the streamline constructing the car at his shop. It is a classic melding of
modern styling era that was emerging in the aviation vintage styling and modern performance.
field, in trains and in other industrial products. With
styling tuned by wind-tunnel testing, the Airflow was Under the all-original steel body resides a 6.1-liter HEMI
distinguished by a sloping nose and rear deck, recessed V8 engine with an Edelbrock supercharger. A 545 RFE
headlamps, an angled V-type windshield and rear fender automatic transmission and a 9-inch Ford rear end
skirts. The Airflow incorporated other innovations in complete the powertrain.
passenger comfort and safety. Anyone picking up a

LOT #1322 - 1935 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW CUSTOM COUPE - NO RESERVE
SMOOTH OPERATOR

THIS 1935 AIRFLOW HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A MODERN PERFORMANCE MACHINE

96 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE WINTER 2023