DeSoto Airflow
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Manufacturer | DeSoto (Chrysler) |
Model years | 1934 to 1936 |
Assembly | U.S.A |
Class | Motor Car |
Body style | 2-door coupe |
Layout | FR layout |
Engine | 241.5 cu in (4.0 L) Chrysler I6 |
Transmission | 3-speed manual |
Wheelbase | 115.5 in (2,934 mm) |
The DeSoto Airflow automobile was built by Chrysler under the car brand DeSoto in the model years 1934-1936 car. DeSoto received the then-revolutionary Airflow model for its price ratio to the larger and more expensive Chrysler cars.
History
The streamlined and newly formed car was presented along with the slightly larger Chrysler Airflow. The Airflow design was an early attempt to level the objects and lines on the then cars, which faced the wind. The headlights moved from their place (next to the radiator grille) forward and were in the continuous front plate on both sides of the waterfall same radiator grille housed, who had no traditional filler neck with radiator figure more. Instead of the one-piece, almost vertical windshield of the then cars (the force of the incoming wind when the car moved through the air) had the Airflow a split windshield, both halves side were employed to better dissipate the wind to the outside, The front and rear fenders got softer, the body shape more adapted forms. The rear wheels were covered. All Airflows had the hand brake handle mounted under the instrument panel and the gear shift lever was placed far forward on the floor board so not to be in the way of front seat passengers. This allowed for three to sit in front in comfort.
In addition to the benefits of the softer outer shapes, which resulted in less wind noise inside the cars than previous DeSoto models, the cars were wider inside and the seats moved forward. The passengers sat between the axles and because of the monocoque construction within the frame and not on the frame as with cars of other American manufacturers. The vehicle was stiffer and the weight distribution was better, since the engine with its centre of gravity above the front axle and not, as was customary at the time, was mounted behind it. In the trade press, the car was praised for its good handling and its high acceleration.
Although DeSoto (and Chrysler) portrayed their Airflow bodies as futuristic in the age of the streamline, customers found the cars too unfamiliar at a time of great economic uncertainty. Chrysler's Airflow looked better on the long chassis than the dumpy DeSoto with the short wheelbase of just 2,921 mm. Walter P. Chrysler, a big proponent of the Airflow project, was disappointed at the lack of interest in the car, which he considered ground breaking for future US automobile production. The Airflows came in three models all selling at $1,195. Tire size on the Airflows used 6:50 x 16s. came with hydraulic brakes. and Airflows held 16-gallon fuel supply .
All Airflows came with a X-frame chassis, with the body being bolted straight to the frame. The 1935 models changed the anti-roll stabilizer to the front. All had a hypoid rear axle and optional overdrive transmission which automatically cut the engine speed by 30% when above 40 MPH. There were also rumours that the bodies are uncertain. Tests showed that the all-steel monocoque construction was safer than other cars of the time (many manufacturers still had wooden support frames with sheets pulled over them). In a widespread commercial that was screened in cinemas, you saw an empty airflow falling from a cliff in Pennsylvania and being rebuilt and driven away after a fall of more than 30 meters, crumpled but still recognizable as airflow. Nevertheless, rumours persisted that airflows were uncertain.
While Chrysler also built a standard-looking car in 1934, DeSoto offered only the airflow. Although DeSoto sold more Airflow models than Chrysler, Chrysler sold a total of more cars, with the majority being reworked models of the "standard" 1933 Chrysler.
1934
coupe 5 Person produced 1 ,584
brougham 6 Person produced 522
sedan 4d produced 11,713
Town sedan 6 Person produced 119
chassis only produced 2
In 1935 and 1936, DeSoto also offered the more traditional Airstream, a model they shared with Chrysler, and DeSoto regained part of its lost market share. The Airflow was still on offer, but most of the cars sold were Airstream, so the Airflow was passed to the end of the DeSoto catalogue.
The buyers who opted for an airflow found that their car had a conspicuous tapered grille. Otherwise, there were only cosmetic changes (air intakes etc.).
While Chrysler had the Airflow body up to 1937, DeSoto hired the model in late 1936 to focus on more traditional models that would sell better.
