DeSoto Airstream

The Desoto Airstream was one of Chrysler under the car brand DeSoto built in model years 1935 and 1936 cars. In both years, the car was sold with the power line model Airflow. Chrysler offered in addition to an Airstream under his own name; the car showed small visual differences.

The Airstream was introduced in order to regain market share that had been lost in 1934, when only offered the DeSoto Airflow. Although he was streamlined and aerodynamic, the Airflow was not appreciated by the customers and the constructed according to more common standards Airstream should bridge the gap to the completely redesigned 1937 DeSoto.

If you look back to the Airstream, was " conventionally" its best feature. Had the most solidly built and conservatively constructed 6-cylinder Airstream, unlike the Airflow, no integrated headlight, no wide grille and a no monocoque chassis. The setup consisted entirely of steel ( and was not in hybrid design - steel sheets on wooden frame - designed, as with many U.S. automakers in the 1930s ), but sat on a frame constructed and not connected as the Airflow to the frame.

Accessories like 1935 2-door business coupe, a convertible, a roadster coupe, a coupe and a sedan for 5 passengers with luggage space were offered. With four doors, there were sedans with and without trunk. The cars had Chryslers rubber engine mounts ("Floating Power" ), which kept the vibrations of the engine from the chassis. On request, there were carpets in the front footwells, a radio and a heater.

The Airstream models cost about 200, - U.S. $ less than the Airflow. This and the more traditional styling helped the series to success.

In model year 1935 DeSoto Airstream sold 20,003 and 6,797 Airflow ( together 26,800 cars), almost twice as many as in model year 1934 ( 13,940 units), as only the Airflow was offered.

In 1936 there were at Airstream two trim levels, the Deluxe and the Custom. The Deluxe had a one-piece windshield, while the Custom (except Convertible) had a split windscreen, which quickly became the industry standard. In the better-equipped variant, it was also a custom travel model on a longer chassis with a 3,302 mm wheelbase. This Custom traveler was often used by companies who built Pullman limousines, which founded the long-lasting and profitable relationship with the manufacturers of DeSoto taxi.

In 1936 the total sales figure rose to 38 938 units, of which 33 938 were Airstream piece, while the Airflow fell back in his last year of production to 5,000 units

Swell

Kimes, Beverly R. (Editor), Clark, Henry A.: The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1945, Kraus Publications ( 1996), ISBN 0-87341-428-4

1929-1961: Adventurer | Airflow | Airstream | CF Series | CK Series | Custom | Deluxe | DeSoto (1961 ) | Diplomat | Export | Fire Dome | Fireflite | Firesweep | K- series | Powermaster | S series | Suburban

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