Chrysler Corporation made automotive history when it premiered the Airflow at the New York Auto Show in January 1934; it was a radical departure from anything that preceded it. In addition to its streamlined Art Deco looks, the car was bursting with technical ingenuity: a novel beam and truss design combining light weight and superb strength, precursor to the unibody; an enormous interior with 50-inch-wide chair-height seats; for the first time in an automobile, a rear seat situated forward of the rear axle, offering unprecedented room; and an engine placed over the front axle 20 inches further forward than in other Chryslers, making for a very spacious front seat. Passengers sat within the wheelbase, resulting in a remarkably smooth ride.

The public never quite warmed to the styling and the Airflow disappeared after 1937 with only 55,000 produced for both Chrysler and DeSoto car lines over four years. Today, they are regarded as automotive icons due to the myriad technical and stylistic advancements the car offered, with over 50 engineering firsts and 72 national speed records.

The car offered here, one of just 110 Airflow coupes made in 1936, is accompanied by a copy of its build record, noting that it was originally shipped to Providence, Rhode Island finished in special-order paint and interior colors. Airflow historian and expert Chuck Cochran traced its ownership history back to 1958, when it was owned by Chic Kramer. Mr. Kramer sold the car in 1970 to Joseph Klim, who passed it in 1988 to Mr. Cochran, who retained it until 1996. It was then acquired by Columbus P. “Chris” Sacko, then passed from his estate in 2008 to Ronald Green and in 2016 to Mark Becker.

In Mr. Becker’s hands, the car was an Antique Automobile Club of America Grand National First Prize and National President’s Cup winner in 2018, and was shown at multiple events, including the Misselwood Concours d’Elegance in 2020, where it won the Misselwood Award in its class, and at the 2022 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, where it won First in Class. It also won Best of Show at the Airflow Club of America National Meet in 2022. From Mr. Becker, the car passed into a prominent collection in Southern California, from which it was acquired by the present owner.

The Airflow stands as an excellent example of the groundbreaking design and is accompanied by a history file that includes a copy of its build sheet, ownership history, information on its show appearances, and other documentation.