1934 Desoto Series SE Airflow

ONE OF JUST 1,584 EXAMPLES PRODUCED2019 NATIONAL DESOTO CONVENTION BEST OF SHOW WINNERMULTIPLE CONCOURS AWARD WINNER 2019-232023 AACA GRAND NATIONAL AWARD WINNER2021 AACA SENIOR NATIONAL FIRST PRIZE AWARDHANDSOME COLOR COMBINATION & LEATHER INTERIORCOMFORTABLE & LUXURIOUS PASSENGER COMPARTMENTPHOTO-DOCUMENTED, BODY-OFF RESTORATIONDISTINGUISHED PROVENANCE INCLUDING CHUCK COCHRAN100 BHP 242 CI L-HEAD INLINE 6-CYLINDER ENGINE3-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION W/ FREEWHEELINGOVERDRIVE & 4-WHEEL LOCKHEED HYDRAULIC BRAKESLANDMARK AERODYNAMIC STYLINGADVANCED ENGINEERING THROUGHOUTDOCUMENTED BY COPY OF ORIGINAL BUILD CARD For 1934, Chrysler Corporation shocked the automotive world with its all-new, radically streamlined Airflow body design, featuring industry-leading and extremely strong, all-steel unit-body construction. A design far ahead of its time, the Airflow featured built-in headlamps and an attractively flowing \"waterfall\" grille up front, an extended-length hood, a modified V-shaped windshield, and sleek, fully skirted rear fenders. Passenger comfort was second to none with the Airflow's wide, comfortable seats placed inside the car's wheelbase. Extra-long leaf springs placed front and rear enhanced the Airflow's low ground clearance, delivering remarkable ease of entry and exit. Lockheed 4-wheel hydraulic brakes delivered industry-leading stopping power, while many competing marques still relied on old-fashioned mechanical brakes. Other highly desirable Airflow features included an ignition lock, full instrumentation, a brake lamp, steering-hub headlamp controls, an automatic windshield wiper, oil filter, and overdrive.However, despite the many quantum leaps offered by the new Airflow models in terms of efficiency and passenger safety, wary Depression-era buyers failed to respond in the numbers Chrysler anticipated. Consequently, sales were underwhelming and the original Airflow design was no more after 1936. However, today's collectors deeply appreciate the many contributions made by the Airflow's designers and engineers to the automobile and the cars are now highly sought-after.Rare as 1 of just 1,584 5-Passenger DeSoto Airflow Coupes built for the inaugural 1934 model year, this multiple award-winning body-off-frame restoration has earned multiple Best of Show awards between 2019 and 2023, including Best of Show and People's Choice at the 2019 National DeSoto Convention. Additional top-level honors from the AACA include the Senior National First Prize in 2021 and the Grand National Award in 2023.Sporting an exceedingly handsome color combination and rich leather upholstery, this rare DeSoto Airflow also features Chrysler's robust, 100-horsepower 242 CI inline 6-cylinder engine, paired with a 3-speed manual transmission including freewheeling and very desirable overdrive. Provenance includes past ownership under former Chrysler Airflow Club president, Chuck Cochran. Accompanying documents include restoration photographs, a listing of awards earned 2019-23, and even a copy of the factory build card issued by Fiat Chrysler Historical Services. If you're seeking a rare surviving example of the revolutionary Airflow from the first model year, with the multiple award-winning restoration already done, this example is ready to show, tour, and enjoy. See it for yourself! Contact us today to get full details and prepare to add this Art Deco masterpiece to your collection of automotive icons.