At the time of its introduction in 1934, the Chrysler Airflow was the most advanced American automobile ever built. Featuring an early type of unibody construction, with its steel frame and body tub welded together for strength, it had its engine mounted directly above the front axle, creating more interior space, and the incredibly aerodynamic body was one of the first to be styled in a wind tunnel. Today the design is widely hailed as a masterpiece of Art Deco design and modern engineering.

The example offered here is from the final and arguably most attractive Airflow season, 1937, and is the rare and desirable coupe model on the C17 chassis. The current owner acquired the car from Karl Cook of Ontario; Cook had purchased it years earlier from a longtime owner in Michigan, who noted its history as having been in Ohio as early as the late 1950s. According to the owner, the car, when acquired, was in remarkably solid and well-preserved original condition, and had it been found today would likely have been preserved and not restored. Nonetheless, Mr. Cook did a superb job authentically restoring the car, while maintaining such features as the beautiful, nearly perfect original wood-grained dashboard and the original, irreplaceable rubber trunk mat.

Since purchasing the Chrysler, the owner has regularly driven it and reports that it has always been a pleasure on the open road. It has occasionally been shown, as well, earning its AACA National First Prize and CCCA First Prize at the Auburn Triple Crown in 2017, and a class award at the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance last fall. In addition, it was part of a special exhibit, “Streamlining: A Study of Style,” at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana.

For showing and touring enjoyment, this Airflow coupe is without peer.