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Chrysler Airflow - the aerodynamic pioneering work of Walter P. Chrysler
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Created on July 13, 2014
, Reading time 19min
Written by:
Bruno von Rotz
Photos:
Daniel Reinhard
49Aaron Summerfield - Courtesy RM Auctions
17Scott Farence - Courtesy of RM Auction
3Chrysler Group
3Archiv
14
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Summary
From 1934 to 1937, Chrysler (and its sister brand De Soto) built the Airflow, the first mass-produced streamlined vehicle. Although the car was not a commercial success, it had a major impact on the car industry and caused quite a stir. In a very special article, the car is not only briefly described, but also examined from different angles in two contemporary newspaper reports. Even Professor Porsche has his say. This article shows the Chrysler Airflow in current and historical pictures, as well as in sales literature and photos from the time.
This article contains the following chapters
- The work of engineers
- The special test in 1934
- Consumption miracle
- A Chrysler Airflow finds its way to Switzerland
- Further information
Estimated reading time: 19min
Preview (beginning of the article)
In 1934, Walter P. Chrysler presented a passenger car the likes of which America had never seen before. The Chrysler Airflow (and its brother De Soto Airflow) had aerodynamic and self-supporting all-steel bodies that offered much less resistance to the wind thanks to their flatter design. The bold move was not to pay off. General Motors launched a huge advertising campaign against the modern Chrysler automobiles, and the conservative American buying public could not get used to the new shape. Manufacturing defects in the first vehicles did the rest to turn the "Airflow" adventure into a financial disaster. The not inconsiderable price - in Switzerland, the eight-cylinder Airflow cost 16,200 francs in 1935 - probably played its part.
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