A couple days ago we featured a DeTomaso Pantera which was in amazing condition, that had been stored in a truck trailer. Well, we just received an email from Robert J about another car that has also been stashed away in a trailer. But, instead of an Italian exotic, this rare American classic has been parked in its trailer for the past 35 years. The current owner is thinning out their collection and has decided to let it go. Can you guess what it is? Find out below or check it out here on eBay. Thanks to Robert for the tip!
If you haven’t figured out what it is already, it is a 1934 Chrysler Imperial Airflow CV. Chrysler’s Airflow cars were the company’s first major attempt at building aerodynamic cars, and while they changed car design, they were a marketing failure. Sales were dismal and as a result only a few hundred where ever built. Only a small handful are believed to still exist, which could make restoring this one a daunting, yet rewarding task.
This Airflow originally came out of California, but was shipped to the seller in Minnesota. They purchased the car with the goal of restoring it back to its former glory, but instead it was parked in this truck box and forgotten. It was in rough shape when it was parked all those years ago and time has not been kind to it. Regardless of its condition, this is a piece of automotive history that deserves to be preserved. Whether it is kept in rough shape or fully restored, let’s hope the next owner will at least get it back on the road so the rest of us can enjoy seeing it!
“Only a few hundred (were) ever built?”
Airflows?
Granted, the styling was and still is polarizing even eighty years later, but they sold in healthy enough numbers. For 1934, Chrysler sales alone accounted for 10,839 units (source: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942), let alone DeSoto Airflows.
Now if you’re speaking about Imperial Airflows, apparently they were quite rare. Jay Leno has said something along the lines of three still remain, but who actually knows for sure?
Leno is referring to the single-piece curved windshield Imperials. This one is a split windshield like the rest of the Airflows. Rare, especially the 2-door, but not as.
Woww! Power asisted brakes in 1934! Whatever became of Chrysler engineering,? It seems like it passed away around the same time as the muscle cars went away?
Well it was hard not to cheat – the first picture was not easy to ID, but the second picture definitly gave it away. Good find.
Hi
From the second picture it looks more like a DeSoto coupe!
I love these cars – gimme!!!
Andrew
Twickenham, England
Be wary of this seller. Promises follow up and resolution; delivers nothing.
Major, major restoration required on this car. No possibility of a cosmetic get-in-and-go.
According to The Serial Number Book for US Cars 1900-1975, 2290 of the CV’s were made in ’34.
CW’s :47
CX’s 127
Tatra sued Chrysler, among others, for patent infringement and won a settlement.
No way this thing has been in storage for 35 years as claimed. In two of the “pre-storage” pics you can make out 1979 or later FSJ (full size Jeep) either truck, Cherokee or Wagoneer – hard to tell from the front and left side shot. You can tell by the later smooth one piece bumper profile, hotizontal slat plastic grill and the front corner light placement – all first year details in 1979. The Jeep is looking a little ratty itself which would impy a few years on it at the point when the picture was taken. I’d guess 25 years in storage. But hey, if you have the number of vehicles this guy apparently does it would be easy to forget what was mothballed when.
I agree, these pictures are old, but not from 1978-70, maybe late 80’s or early 90’s, also, it hasn’t just said quietly in storage all that time. Anybody notice that the front bumper is missing in the current photo but is there in the older photos. Somebody was playing around with it at some point. No that it matters much, just playing alittle where’s Waldo.
Referring back to my earlier post, I have done quite a bit of research on these cars as they were built/assembled at Kew near London, not far from where I live. I have an English brochure for the series too and they had different names, Heston and Croydon as well as Royal.
From what I remember (and I’d need to dig out my research) the 2-door coupes were mainly De Sotos and I think the Imperials came out in 36.
If anyone wants to chart about these feel free to call me off piste.
Andrew,
Twickenham, England
Andrew,
According, again, to The Serial Number Book for US Cars, 1900-1975, Airflow Imperials are noted as first production, 1934, as a “CV”, then, also in ’34 “Custom Imperial” as CW and CX models. No Imperials are noted for ’35 or thereafter in the Airflow line. Next Imperials noted are ’38 “C19”. Not the same cars. No English built cars are indicated in this book, so you may have other info.
To add to the confusion, The Production Figure Book for US Cars says “Imperial Eight Airflow, CV” had total production of 2277 with 4d sedans at 1997, 5 passenger (?) sedans at 212 (as the listing indicates) town sedans at 67 and 1 bare chassis. I’m not certain how to determine which is which for this particular car and I’d be interested knowing how the seller did so. Also this volume DOES show Imperials for ’35 as C1, C2, C3, CW# and CW. Listings also for ’36 under the Imperial Airflow banner. “Airflow” stops at ’37 with no “Imperials” noted.
mrexum,
I have found my Airflow paperwork. I did an extensive study of English Airflows which are different from the American ones. My work formed the basis of an article for the Airflow Club magazine. Too big to fit in here but if you are interested contact me direct at pontlarge@gmail.com
Andrew, Twickenham, England
Quite a project to take on. Looks like most of it is there although I didn’t see any underhood shots. That alone would tell you what you’ve got as the DeSoto (as one of the previous posts suggests) had a 6 cylinder engine. I was quite impressed with the Airflow, and Chrysler’s desire to be on the cutting edge. Unfortunately Chrysler’s timing was a little off when they introduced this model. I sure hope that this gets restored and enjoyed.
Quite a cool car but not quite a valuable as the seller presumes even though we dont know his reserve. One didnt sell in 1992 at auction for 52,000 and the market is still pretty weak
Leo