That is so awesome. What body style airflow do you have 1937 is my favorite year. I do like the 36 as well. The last scenario fantasy scenario on this episode is one that I’ve been contemplating if I had the money and those three were the same price or could be had for the same price I don’t know which one I would choose. They all have something going for them I really like the airflow because it’s different .
Thanks for showing that one. The Airflows are just a work of art. Have to flip up the rear seat back to get in to what little trunk is there. There is at least 2 or 3 Airflows hiding in my area, used to see a silver one, haven't seen it in a while . First pick 34? Studebaker Land Cruiser, second 36 Imperial Airflow. Fantasy 35 Hupmobile.
Great choices after I compose this episode, I saw an advertisement piece for an imperial that showed that I just wasn’t sure if the Soto did it or if that was just an option on the imperial airflow
This was a good one! My parents had an Airflow way before I was born! So beautiful and unique. This is a museum piece and that is where it belongs. Too nice to drive on the streets. I can imagine how difficult even a headlight or taillight lens would be hard to find? Probably impossible along with most other body parts! Wow!
I absolutely love these. This is one of those cars that I would really love to own one day, and I would share it with us many people, and possibly could and drive it as much as I possibly could. The final scenario is what I’ve been contemplating if I could find one of those vehicles for the same price which one would I rather have I think the Hupmobile would be the hardest one to find parts for would probably be the easiest, I think … but then again, some of them poured parts are pretty expensive if you can even find them
I totally agree that’s a really cool feature. Why that didn’t catch on is also beyond me I know other cars did offer that feature. I’m not entirely sure if Chrysler airflow was the first one, but it is a really cool feature. You can have it both ways.
I had a physics professor who was enamored with the airflow for having so low a drag coefficient that it still rated as one of the best in the 80's. I like the Tatra better as it looks cooler, and I'm part Czech, hence the Czech engine light is always on. 🚨😊
WYR 1934 DeSoto for the first two, and the Packard for the last (BIATP). These truly were incredible cars, I would gladly add one to a collection. And the vent window roll down, I've never noticed that before. Well done as always, thank you for all the work you put into these ~ Chuck
Awesome choices Chuck you bet I love doing it man this is all I ever wanted to do in life and I’m just happy that I finally have the opportunity to do it. There are so many cool cars in the pipeline. I’m struggling though to figure out what episode I want to do tomorrow… might be the 426 hemi
1935 Nash 1936 Airflow Packard 120 On the de Soto if you lift the backrest of the back seat from the bottom will give access to the luggage compartment.
Awesome choices. I saw that after I did this episode but it was on an imperial so I wasn’t sure if De Soto offered the same. I kind of wish I would’ve knew about it before I went and recorded. I would’ve totally tried to lift that seat up.
Hi Jay..I've known of your desire to feature an Airflow and so happy for you! There's a very cool video on UA-cam - 2017 Airflow Club Meet - California Caravan - featuring 3 Airflows from San Diego travelling to a National meet in Wisconsin.. The dash cam is in the rear car showing the lead 2 and 'bout 7:50, the camera goes to the dash and shows a rock-steady 83 mph, in a 2-ton, 75-year old car which dynoed at 80 HP!
I’ll have to check them out My goal is the fantasy scenario is the scenario in my head. I would love to have one of those three cars the Hupmobile would be I would think would be the hardest one to get parts for, but they look so sweet…
Thank you so much so glad you dig this one. I’ve been waiting a long time to do an airflow. I wanted this to be perfect. There was five minutes of content that I wasn’t allowed to use which really kind of sucked but maybe next time I can figure out how to get around that. I don’t understand how a lot of channels can use Popular culture stuff that’s clearly copyrighted and not get flagged but I can’t use a commercial. That’s almost 100 years old. lol makes sense right
Yes, I had that in the video but it got copyright blocked and I had to take out that information and I don’t understand why why because it’s 100 years old it should be public domain..
They had a Tatra on exhibit there last year, and that was my goal was to go there and compare Chrysler airflow to Tatra the tetra was gone, however, which was completely tragedy… I saw that car last year displayed in the CCCA barn, which is part of the Gilmore Auto Museum, but it’s technically their own campus so that stuff gets switched out a lot more frequently .. Those cars look absolutely huge in pictures, but in person they’re not very big about the same size as the De Soto airflow.. but they are absolutely epic. If they didn’t cost six figures that is definitely the vehicle that I would really want to own but I did a little bit of research the only made about 3000 of them they were never commercially imported to the United States. Definitely a car that would love to feature one day if I can find one.
Me too it’s almost been three years. I started this channel and I found one for sale and I reached out to the guy and he said I could do it and then I don’t know whatever happened to that opportunity sometimes things happen like that it’s weird… I’ve had other ones that sting worse than that though and that’s all I’m going to say about it.. it’s just weird when somebody offers you the kingdom and then when you try to go there you can’t. Happy you dig this episode it won’t be the last airflow I love these
from today's perspective, the Airflow looks much more modern than most other 30's car, but I would imagine that back then, it looked more like a spaceship! The cylinder head appears to be aluminum, which I think allowed Chrysler to raise compression without pinging on the crappy gas of the day. I love the front door window design! WYR= I'll take the Tatra and the Chrysler Airflow. Jay, if you ever get a chance, you may want to check out the Lane Museum in Tennessee. They have all kinds of weird cars there, including a Tatra that the guys from Hagerty Ins managed to roll on a test drive.
Tatra’s were prone to rolling. They were popular with occupying German officers in Prague but so many rolled them and died in accidents it became known as the Nazi killer!
Thank you so much for sharing all that insight and information. Great choices. I definitely need to get down to Tennessee. I would love to go see Corky Coker that’s on the list of things that I really want to do this year. I would love to interview him…
Thank you glad you dig this channel I wish I would’ve started earlier. This is all I ever wanted to do. I absolutely love doing this channel and I’m very humbled by all the people that totally dig it. =) Great choices
I never knew there were three makes, I always thought it was "just" a Chrysler. Also didn't know they came in a 2-door. Learn something new every day. Does the rear seat fold down? There must be some kind of rear storage in there... what an awesome car! Except... the 1934 award for world's tiniest ashtray goes to... Airflow! WYR: 1) DeSoto 2) Imperial! 3) Can I trade the Chrysler for an Imperial?
Not too many people do that’s why I took the time in the beginning of the episode to lay it all out. I honestly didn’t know DeSoto made an airflow until two years ago when I saw one and I wanted to cover it then but I couldn’t find the owner. Great choices =)
I've run across all kinds of cars from the 1930's to present, including even a Tucker for sale in California in the 1980's. I've never seen a De Soto Airflow. This video is much appreciated.
Yeah, I totally agree that De Soto airflow. I never even knew existed until two years ago when I saw one in person for the very first time this is the second one that I’ve ever seen. Not a lot of people know that there were three distinctive airflows, so I figured I’d make an episode and lay it all out for everyone .. =) happy you dig this video
WYR #1- De Soto! WYR #2 1936 Imperial. WYR #3 1937 Airflow. But I’m MOPAR through and through, so maybe biased. If these look like toasters I wish I had the bread to get one. They’re beautiful examples of art-deco applied to automotive design. I’m also a big fan of the Nazi-killer Tatra V8 and this is a great inclusion. I’ve just had an epiphany: I’ve always puzzled about the incongruously styled Chrysler PT Cruiser, as it really never seemed to realise the retro styling cues that were its main selling point. It seemed Chrysler had just made a complete hash of it, but now I’m seeing where they were coming from and I believe these cars were it’s inspiration. Another great video doing us petrol-heads a great service by showing us cars we can only dream about! 👍🏻
You access the trunk via the rear seat - swings up. The 34 interiors for the Airflows were the best of deco/moderne, but the steering wheel angle is a little bizarre. Since deSoto went all in on the Airflow for 34, sales absoulely tanked. 1935 Airstream to the resecue. WYR 1) Tatra for schock value - your image BTW is a T87, but a later one - the originals did not have faired in headlamps. Amazingly there is one that comes out for a local show near me most years. 2) the 36 Imperial Airflow, but I wonder if the DeSoto might acutally have a lower survival rate. 3) the Packard 120, though it's probably not the best 'deal' if they all cost the same coin.
Thank you so much for pointing that out Joe I saw an advertisement piece for a 1934 Chrysler imperial that had that feature but I wasn’t sure if it was just the Chrysler imperial because I could not find any literature about it on the DeSoto Awesome choices it would be really hard to not pick the tetra even though it had handling issues I think it had a swing axle similar to what the Volkswagen beetle had Chevy. Corvair also had a rear engine V8 that was air cooled. It was just a really cool car that I really want a feature. I missed my opportunity last year to do one and I’m still kind of kicking myself .
Packard, Packard and Packard Again 😍😂 DeSoto 2nd I wish my 35 was complete and Workable 😢💔 Picked over yard art 🤷 Great Episode 👏👏👏👍 Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
@@What.its.like.My grandfather had a 4 door and my Uncle had a 2 door The 35 DeSoto has a wiring fire 🔥 and the front seat 😢 They picked it over for parts 🤷 just a Rusty Body .. Yard art ... I inherited the Chevy Slant back and 29 Chevy 1/2 ton .. I built Brass and Glass speedsters with Grandpa.. My Uncle was Ford A's and Lakesters 👍☺️ I Love building Speedsters ❤️❤️ All Flavors and Styles.. Enjoy your Adventures 😉 Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
Great choices =) I really like the 36 Chrysler imperial and the 37 Chrysler airflow out of the whole lot but I’ve never been in one.. personally that’s a car that I would really like to drive. I would really like to know what that whole experience is like and share with you all of course
I saw one first on my way hom,e (5 Miles) from the Jones Jr. High School. I was about 13 and iot changed my life. It let the nerdy me know there was a design worlds out there
that had nothing to do with the prison like 1886 school buiklding anDD WARDEN LIKE TEACHERS.. I was astounded...transfixed. I could not move. It waS A BEAUTY LIKE NO OTHER. ME AND MY BROTHERS WERE ALL CAR CRAZY KIDS BUT THIS WAS SOMETHING FROM ANOTHER PLANET. wow! It tiurned m e into an architect and designer at that moment. It was the only Airflow for miles around.
I saw that in an advertisement piece after I put this episode together, but I wasn’t sure if it was just a Chrysler imperial that had that or the De Soto model had it as well
Hi Jay! Ahhhhh. . .the DeSoto Airflow. I have to admit that I really like the styling better on the DeSoto versions than the styling on the Chrysler versions overall. Yes, they are not the most beautiful cars of all time, but they are SO COOL! Chrysler was trying to do something different than other makers at the time. Commercially, they weren't really a success so they weren't around too long. WYR is a tough one, as I admire the Tatra also. But I'm going to pick the DeSoto just because I like them! #2 is easier as that Chrysler Imperial is a pretty good looker and had that straight eight engine! #3, TOO EASY! If I had the money to buy a Packard, a Chrysler, or a Hupp at the same price, I'm getting me that PACKARD!!!!!
Awesome choices =) That last scenario has been the scenario that I’ve been playing out my head if I could buy one of those three cars for the same price it would be really hard decision for me. They all look awesome I think the Chrysler airflow edges slightly in the interior department over the Packard, 120 in my humble opinion, though , I love Packards I would really love to own one one day I really like the 115 C but I just can’t get over how expensive those are you could get a super eight for what those are going for.. I mean it depends on Market. It depends on where you look. The prices are are all over the place it’s not just a set in-stone price
You may wish to get your hands on a 1937 Chrysler Airflow Jay, but to me that 1936 Chrysler Airflow is nothing short of absolutely spectacular. A real stunner for sure! 😊
36 is another good year I really like the Chrysler imperial 1936 but those cost of fortune I can’t wait to find a 37 or a 36 or 35. I’m gonna cover them all I’m gonna try to do every single body style I can eventually.
@@What.its.like. Your still a young man Jay, plenty of time for you to make lots of $$$ and buy a car (or two) of your dreams! Those '37 Chrysler Airflows however are quite rare, as they only made around 5,000 of them during their last year and no De Soto Airflows, so probably cost a bundle to buy one. But good luck!
Great great gorgeous video on this magnificent vintage classic De Soto Airflow, wow J, I definitely start looking at these stunning cars of the 20S-60s. i certainly will be buying a lot this year.
Glad you did this video I wanna put airflows back on the map. I have never seen one driving in the wild the only ones I’ve ever seen were either at a show or online for sale or in publications but they’re absolutely gorgeous in person.
Cool! Back in the early 70’s I knew a local mill owner who’d show up in his Chrysler Airflow. The Airflow series was ahead of its time and looked odd next to its contemporaries. Reminds me of the SAAB 99 (car built by an airplane company), which also looked weird when it showed up, for the same reason: aerodynamic design. Sometimes a design is more advanced, but people are not ready for it.
1) Tatra. I actually saw one of these parked on the street in Prague in 2015; I pointed it out to my wife and she wasn't impressed. As the owner of a Corvair, I appreciated this rear-engined air-cooled cousin. 2) 36 Imperial. Just looks more regal than the De Soto and still fully aero, before the surrender to more conventional front ends. 3) Packard. Just something about prewar Packards.
Awesome choices. It would be really hard to pass up the Tatra also, . It’s like one of those awesome curiosity cars that never gets the time of day I want to cover one. I did a little bit of research on the tatra T87 I wanted to know how many they made I remember seeing one on Leno’s garage and he said that they’re super rare specially in the United States because they were never commercially imported here according to the Internet they made 3000 and change. I think the number is 58 but I’m not entirely sure. Which makes it a pretty rare car they go for six figures and nice conditions so the odds of owning one are pretty slim.
I believe in 1934 my grandfather bought my grandmother a new Plymouth. He went to use the car. (They only had it a couple of days) And the starter broke. He called the dealer. They towed in the car. Told my grandfather They'd fix it. The sailor my grandfather was said no. He left the dealer in a 34 DeSoto Sedan. This was one of my grandmothers favorite cars. They bought the car in upstate New York. Went through World War 2 in Philadelphia. Only to get T-boned in southern New Jersey.
Thank you so much for sharing those memories. What a great story even though the ending wasn’t very good were they able to save the car or did it go to that great graveyard in the sky
I’m sold. Saw one delivering papers 60 years ago at the Chrysler dealer. It was, of course, an antique car then and helped to bring interest for the modern vehicles. I wound up buying a 1961 Hillman Convertible (English car) about 8 years later off the same used car lot.
I don’t know if you could tell, but I absolutely love air flow. I wanted this episode to be so much better than it was. There was five minutes of footage I had to cut out because it was copyright blocked. They put one at the top of an eight story cliff And it did a flip landed on its wheels and it started and drove away. They also rolled it and drove away Also, I love cars off the beaten path that’s what this channel is all about I can’t wait there’s so many cool cars in the pipeline. I think I’m gonna push engine episode Wednesday to engine episode Thursday today’s episode is going to be 1920 Paige that car was a really cool one..
Happy you dig this one A little insider information when I started the channel I was looking for cars for sale online because I wasn’t sure how to get access to regular cars and there was a Chrysler airflow for sale, and I reached out to the guy and he said yes and everything but I don’t know what happened to that , sometimes people say yes and it’s only for a specific window of time for whatever reason I saw that airflow for sale again I don’t know if I should reach out to him and see about doing it. My big fear is I’m gonna fall in love with the car I don’t have that kind of money to buy it… So I’ve been waiting almost 3 years to cover an airflow. I saw one at Carlisle two years ago it was a DeSoto, but I could not find the owner… I love these cars I wish they were more mainstream. It’s going to be one of my goals as I want to bring 30s cars back to the spotlight kind of sort of like where 50s cars are 50s cars are super hot right now.. there’s so many cool cars of the 30s so many
Haven't see the DeSoto up close before and I'm really liking the swoopy trim pieces on the hood and fender skirts. Same for those crazy-cool front windows! And I thought they all had trunks. Also never saw the Imperial version which to me is awesome as I fairly hate the waterfall grille look in the other Airflows. Yes, the engines did fall out, especially the early years. Chrysler was an early adopter of rubber engine mounts which they called "Floating Power". Most were like the top of some shock absorbers with two rubber biscuits on a shaft contained by washers and a nut. The Airflow relied on bonded engine mounts which had nothing else holding them if the bond between metal and rubber let go or if the rubber tore apart. They weren't strong enough to hold the engine if one let go unlike later cars do. I think they made the mounts stronger after the problem became known but I'm not sure. Chrysler had been known for great engineering before this, but with the new unknown 'unibody' design and a simple failure like this reaching production everyone became suspicious of the Airflow's engineering, with many suspecting the whole car would soon fall apart without a frame. It was very bad publicity for the cars, which along with their weird styling and the Depression economy ruined the sales numbers. And while Ferdinand Porsche had seen the Airflow up close in the US, he'd also seen the Tatra and he had a design of his own from '29 shaped very much like these cars. So the VW wasn't really a copy of anything; rather just following some styling cues from all these cars with a rear engine involved. The Airflow and the Tatra aerodynamics made them drive so smoothly that drivers often found they were going faster than they thought they were. Like a rear-engine Porche or early Corvair, if you lift off the throttle in a curve with a Tatra, it induces oversteer but it's a lot worse in a Tatra. Hitler liked the Tatra as did many high-ranking Nazis, and between the speed deception and thus approaching an autobahn exit too quickly, many Tatra's rolled and killed the occupants who weren't used to that kind of handling quirk since every other car would understeer in that situation instead. Hagerty, the classic car insurance specialists, test-drove a Tatra to evaluate the handling and actually rolled it even knowing this quirk about them. WYR #1 The Tatra is so advanced for its time it has to win. And of course it's the Imperial Airflow for round #2 The Packard 120 for #3
Awesome choices. Thank you so much for taking the time to add all of this insight and information. I did find an advertisement piece for a Chrysler airflow imperial, though that had the trunk in the back you left the seat up to get to it, but I couldn’t find a single piece of DeSoto literature that had the same thing so I just wasn’t 100% sure on that, I also found that information after I compose the video which is in a lot of cases the case but I can’t wait to do another one. I definitely want to show how that feature works. I will have to find the episode on Haggerty. They’re definitely a group of people that I would really like to make contact with. That’s a goal for this year.
@@What.its.like. The Hagerty thing is something I've seen mentioned several times by others with no rebuttals, so I presume it's true. I just don't have that info directly from them or anyone else directly, but given all that I've read about the Tatra from owners and others, it seems very possible. The Tatra is probably the worst case scenario for throttle-lift-oversteer there is, but driven sanely it's supposed to be a great handling car otherwise.
I love these. I considered buying a 1936 De Soto Airflow sedan to restore back in the mid 90's but I thought it was a tiny bit too far gone for my talents and the seller wanted a little too much. I have regretted not getting it ever since. I would choose the super awesome Tatra T87, the 1936 Chrysler Imperial Airflow, and the beautiful 1937 Packard 120 Touring.
Awesome choices I have personally never seen one in person for sale. I get on from time to time to see what they’re going for the two doors are going for an absurd amount of money… six figures for a two door the imperial models they go for a lot of money as well because they didn’t make that many of them. They’re very scarce. But like everything the numbers are all over the place. I’ve seen four-door 37 airflows for as little as 20 grand in good condition I’ve seen them as high as 80 grand 4 doors
Awesome choices Yeah, you definitely need to go out there. If you’ve never been it’s definitely worth the trip there’s stuff there that you only read about.
I used to know where two of these were. North Eastern Montana. There is a sign that says Madoc, but there is no town. Drive north across the Railroad tracks. They are a mile, or two up that road, on the west side. There is a coupe, and two door sedan.
Thank you so much for sharing that is there anyway that you could copy a link to show pictures of what you just explained it sounds spooky yet intriguing
@@What.its.like. there was a big beautiful pile of cars there once. I'm sure the old guy is dead now, but the cars may be still there. Maybe there was an auction IDK. There was even a 32 Ford five window in the pile, but he was dead set on not selling anything.
@@What.its.like. If you go to the small town of Vida Montana, go to the grain elevator, or the bar. Ask for Abe Abraham, he was born and raised there. He can turn you on to more old cars than you, and all your friends, have money to buy! He turned me on to a pile of 55-56 Mercury's all two door coupes. I never did drag them home.
Thank you so much it means the world that you dig this channel =) thank you so much for tolerating some of the early stuff I’m not saying it’s perfect it’s definitely getting better.
Seeing the pools of dripping fluids on the museum floor, some with tire marks, makes one appreciate the high level of maintenance being carried out at Jay Leno’s Garage!
Besides the Czech Tatra, here is also the streamline range of Peugeot of France, starting with the small 202 and then the 402 and the big 402 Familiale. As a particular feature, they all had headlights concealed under the waterfall grill, airflow hood, skirted rear wheels and opening windshield. These models were built from 1936 until 1942 (production of passenger cars stopped by the Nazis).
These are such unique and beautiful designs! I love these and the Chrysler Airflows as well! I would have to go with the absolute dream of the Tatra in the first scenario! In the second scenario, the '36 is so stunning, and would be incredibly tough to pass up, although i really love the '37, maybe if I knew I would have a third scenario with the '37, I could have them both,😊 what a dream!😎
Awesome choices. I totally agree with you. If I could have a Tatra I totally would. I’ve only seen one in person that was last year at the Gilmore. Auto Museum and I missed my opportunity to showcase that car. I thought it was a permanent resident there I was wrong that is absolutely gorgeous in person. I wanted to compare a Tatra to an airflow.
It was in a public viewing room. It’s on rotation now it was in the back room. There’s one more in the pipeline in that back room. I could’ve honestly just stayed in the back room. There was a lot of really cool cars back there that I was totally allowed to be around. =)
I totally agree with you. What an awesome design it’s not the only card that does it either. There’s other cars that did that feature as well. I think Chrysler was the first one though.
The desoto airflo 2dr looks much like the vw beatle. Interestingly the desoto was made before the bug. Ferdinand was known to have been in America and admired it before designing the vw
Never acquired the taste for this car. Was there a luggage area behind the seat? Seemed like it from the video but it was difficult to see how much space was back there.
I guess there was a luggage area behind the seats. I saw it in an imperial advertisement after I composed the episode but I wasn’t sure if it was just a Chrysler imperial option because I’d never saw it in De Soto literature..
There's an Airflow that makes an appearance in the local car shows in Casper. They are a cool looking car and the design is unique and interesting throughout. What happened to Chrysler?!?
Bad management is what happened to Chrysler. They spent a bunch of money on a bunch of programs that they didn’t get any return from like the turbine project.. they perfected it just to throw it away
For WYR, I would take the ‘34 DeSoto Airflow, the ‘37 Chrysler, and the ‘37 Chrysler yet again. I have always been interested in these cars. Given how styling changed by the end of the 1930s I guess you’d have to say they were futuristic, even if they didn’t catch on with the buying public at the time. But why did they use chicken wire for the roof? Wouldn’t that roof have had the same kind of eventual problems with the elements like the woodie station wagons? And I was wondering if there was storage behind that back seat in lieu of a trunk? That front door window with the adjustable vents was a good idea. Car manufacturers should have kept it…but then they should never have gotten rid of vent windows after the late 1960s IMO. At any rate, thank you for covering this car.
I totally agree. The vent window situation was really cool. I know that this isn’t the only card of feature that feature. I’m just not entirely sure what other cars have it I do remember seeing it on another car though it was a Chrysler product after this car. I have no idea why this never really caught on this car gives me streamline, toaster vibes, as well as Lionel train vibes Great choices As far as the roof, they hadn’t come up with a way in which to make a steel roof one piece yet a lot of cars have the chicken wire insert
Did I miss the purpose of the roof with the black I guess vinyl covering? You said there was chicken wire under there. But was this for a design purpose or ? I take it, this area does NOT retract or open up so it is deemed a sunroof? If I missed something, sorry.
All older cars are like that up until a certain point they hadn’t figured out how to make a full steel top yet.. that was my bad. I should’ve explained that I did explain it in a previous episode, but I didn’t explain it this one.
11:50 Watching this video, I can't help think it would be almost the SAME video if you shot it in black and white. That car is such a neutral gray I can't really tell if it's color or B/W.
The Airflow series of cars cost Chrysler dearly. And they were a difficult resale in the car lots of the day. My late Father's first car was a 34 Chrysler Airflow. In the late 50's, it was still soldiering on. And Pops wasn't easy on cars. His experiences must not have been too bad, he was a Mopar man all his, including nearly twenty years employment at a Chrysler dealership.
That’s awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your father‘s experience with the car testament to how durable it really was. It’s a car that I really want to own one day. It’s on the shortlist of 30s cars that fantasy scenario at the end is my scenario if all of those three cars were the same price I don’t know which one I would pick, it would be really hard to pick between those three because they have things the other cars don’t they’re all straight eights and they all sound completely different. The Hupmobile has a really interesting sounding engine.
34 De Soto 36 Imperial Airflow 37 Packard 120 Hey son, How about I flip up the seat back and you crawl back in the trunk and get out Mom's suitcase? Can you do that for me? I've always thought the airflow idea was a good one, and in all honesty the fact that they used a wind tunnel to design it was pretty unusual for automobiles in that time period. The only problem with the buying public thought it was unusual too, unusual looking that is. That said, you got to get props to Chrysler for going all in on an idea.
Awesome choices. I honestly didn’t know about that feature when I went to go look at that car I found it after I composed the episode but I never found it in DeSoto literature, so I didn’t know if De Soto had the trunk feature from behind the seat like a Nash metropolitan.
You missed one rare and important model. Chrysler Canada built 445 Chrysler Airflows in !933-34. They were Desotos rebadged as Chryslers with a Chrysler grill, bumpers, instrument panel and badging. I believe only 37 are known to exist today and I found one stored in someone's garage. It's waiting for me to get enough money together to buy it.
I gotta start making the name that tune harder. This song is off the beaten path Beach boys song it’s before 1967. Great choices I would really love to cover a tatra one day I miss my opportunity last year. I’m still kicking myself for it.
Ah-HA! They do look like toasters. Since the headlights weren't exactly oval-shaped, I always thought Chrysler fashioned them look like jewels. 11:22 That must be the heaviest fender skirt ever made. WYR: 1. Nash 2. Imperial 3. Packard
Great choices I would love to find a Nash like that. I’ve never seen one in person. The headlights are very interesting on this car. I’m not sure if it’s the first to use headlights that are in the fenders.
Totally agree.. I personally want to own one someday and share it with this many people as I possibly can that includes anybody that watches the channel I have some really good goals in life I would really like to put on a car show couple times a year and open it up to anybody that wants to come totally free
Does the rear seat fold down for a trunk space?? Great video!! I have to agree.PLASTIC SUCKS!!! Especially in a car!! If it's not needed, don't add it on!!! 34 De Soto Airflow, 36 Imperial Airflow.
I saw an advertisement piece after I made this video for Chrysler imperial that did it but couldn’t find anything stating de Soto had the same feature Great choices =)
I always thought these cars were cool, but from my understanding Chrysler took a bath on them. Don't understand how they could not incorporate a trunk. Is the song Love Shack by B52s?
Great yes it’s not the love shack. It’s a beach boys song before 1967. I guess I was wrong. There is a trunk it’s behind the rear seat kind of similar to a metropolitan. I saw it in an advertisement piece, but I saw it for a Chrysler imperial evidently the De Soto had the same thing.
Also, have to remember this is 1934 there wasn’t that many cars that had built-in trunks most of them were external at this point that’s how futuristic this car was
Sweet choice =) That’s one of my dreams/goals is to own an airflow at one point I would love to drive it as much as possible just to get what peoples reaction is that car now would look like a spaceship just like it looks like a spaceship back then some things never do change lol
I wanted to cover one of those so bad do you know what those trailers are?… they are Pierce arrow travel lodges. They look freaking awesome on the inside definitely something I definitely want to come back to.
In 1934, this car was a failure. The biggest problem was the engine falling out. This is why 1937 was its last year. The car got good MPG, BUT it was a PR nightmare.
@What.its.like. My understanding was the way they mounted the engine and transmission. They were in a big hurry to get the car on the market, and short cuts happened. The 34 and 35 had the most problems,
Jay, this was a great one. Liking the Art Deco influences and the styling, the design "Q" from the hood emblem carried onto the fender skirt. I believe the center of the dash is a radio or what's left of one. I would like the Imperial version the best! Thank you, as always.
You’re totally welcome. Thank you so much for watching it. Happy you dig this episode. I really wanna drive one. I don’t put major effaces on driving cars because a lot of the Classic Cars you can have two that are identical one another but everything wears out differently so my experience might be different than your experience.. but this is a car I definitely want to drive. There’s there’s a handful of cars I mean, realistically if I could drive all of them I totally would, but these are just so cool.
I totally will. I have a friend that has a DS as well as a traction avant it’s on the list of things to do this year. I can’t wait to go see him. He has been on my mind. I should call him. =)
I have a 1937 Airflow. I dove 6,200 miles last summer on a grand road trip. The car performed flawlessly. Over 110 degrees across Arizona.
That is so awesome. What body style airflow do you have 1937 is my favorite year. I do like the 36 as well.
The last scenario fantasy scenario on this episode is one that I’ve been contemplating if I had the money and those three were the same price or could be had for the same price I don’t know which one I would choose. They all have something going for them I really like the airflow because it’s different .
@@What.its.like. so was the Volkswagen Beetle, but that wasn't available till 1949.
I'm a "different" lover. Adding style is just gravy.
We like to keep you warm & toasty in southern Arizona.
You lucky person.
Thanks for showing that one. The Airflows are just a work of art. Have to flip up the rear seat back to get in to what little trunk is there. There is at least 2 or 3 Airflows hiding in my area, used to see a silver one, haven't seen it in a while . First pick 34? Studebaker Land Cruiser, second 36 Imperial Airflow. Fantasy 35 Hupmobile.
Take one of the trailers to go with those cars.
Great choices after I compose this episode, I saw an advertisement piece for an imperial that showed that I just wasn’t sure if the Soto did it or if that was just an option on the imperial airflow
I wanted to feature one of those trailers so bad, but I couldn’t get in it. It was too close. Those are pierce arrow travel lodges.
@@What.its.like. Wow! that would go great with a Pierce Silver Arrow.
NEVER ANY "Toyota TRASHMOBILE", though!
This was a good one! My parents had an Airflow way before I was born! So beautiful and unique. This is a museum piece and that is where it belongs. Too nice to drive on the streets. I can imagine how difficult even a headlight or taillight lens would be hard to find? Probably impossible along with most other body parts! Wow!
I absolutely love these. This is one of those cars that I would really love to own one day, and I would share it with us many people, and possibly could and drive it as much as I possibly could.
The final scenario is what I’ve been contemplating if I could find one of those vehicles for the same price which one would I rather have I think the Hupmobile would be the hardest one to find parts for would probably be the easiest, I think … but then again, some of them poured parts are pretty expensive if you can even find them
THAT is a cool car. I love the public transport style seating with those metal pipes to hang on to.
Me too =)
13:30 That front door window treatment with separate cranks and how it rolls down is VERY cool.
I totally agree that’s a really cool feature. Why that didn’t catch on is also beyond me I know other cars did offer that feature. I’m not entirely sure if Chrysler airflow was the first one, but it is a really cool feature. You can have it both ways.
I had a physics professor who was enamored with the airflow for having so low a drag coefficient that it still rated as one of the best in the 80's. I like the Tatra better as it looks cooler, and I'm part Czech, hence the Czech engine light is always on. 🚨😊
Great story =)
WYR 1934 DeSoto for the first two, and the Packard for the last (BIATP). These truly were incredible cars, I would gladly add one to a collection. And the vent window roll down, I've never noticed that before. Well done as always, thank you for all the work you put into these ~ Chuck
Awesome choices Chuck you bet I love doing it man this is all I ever wanted to do in life and I’m just happy that I finally have the opportunity to do it. There are so many cool cars in the pipeline. I’m struggling though to figure out what episode I want to do tomorrow… might be the 426 hemi
1935 Nash
1936 Airflow
Packard 120
On the de Soto if you lift the backrest of the back seat from the bottom will give access to the luggage compartment.
Awesome choices. I saw that after I did this episode but it was on an imperial so I wasn’t sure if De Soto offered the same. I kind of wish I would’ve knew about it before I went and recorded. I would’ve totally tried to lift that seat up.
Hi Jay..I've known of your desire to feature an Airflow and so happy for you!
There's a very cool video on UA-cam - 2017 Airflow Club Meet - California Caravan - featuring 3 Airflows from San Diego travelling to a National meet in Wisconsin..
The dash cam is in the rear car showing the lead 2 and 'bout 7:50, the camera goes to the dash and shows a rock-steady 83 mph, in a 2-ton, 75-year old car which dynoed at 80 HP!
I’ll have to check them out
My goal is the fantasy scenario is the scenario in my head. I would love to have one of those three cars the Hupmobile would be I would think would be the hardest one to get parts for, but they look so sweet…
Jay another well done video thanks!!
Thank you so much so glad you dig this one. I’ve been waiting a long time to do an airflow. I wanted this to be perfect. There was five minutes of content that I wasn’t allowed to use which really kind of sucked but maybe next time I can figure out how to get around that. I don’t understand how a lot of channels can use Popular culture stuff that’s clearly copyrighted and not get flagged but I can’t use a commercial. That’s almost 100 years old. lol makes sense right
Beautiful car! Early unibody. Sent them over a cliff to so how strong they were in advertizing promos.
Yes, I had that in the video but it got copyright blocked and I had to take out that information and I don’t understand why why because it’s 100 years old it should be public domain..
Hope you and family are well! Thanks for replying!
I was going to mention about the "rollover" videos, but I see you've already addressed it.
I really dig the 37 Chrysler airflow . The Tatra does have a Hemi type engine though .
They had a Tatra on exhibit there last year, and that was my goal was to go there and compare Chrysler airflow to Tatra the tetra was gone, however, which was completely tragedy…
I saw that car last year displayed in the CCCA barn, which is part of the Gilmore Auto Museum, but it’s technically their own campus so that stuff gets switched out a lot more frequently .. Those cars look absolutely huge in pictures, but in person they’re not very big about the same size as the De Soto airflow.. but they are absolutely epic. If they didn’t cost six figures that is definitely the vehicle that I would really want to own but I did a little bit of research the only made about 3000 of them they were never commercially imported to the United States. Definitely a car that would love to feature one day if I can find one.
I love these vehicles. Been waiting a long time for the "What It's Like" treatment of the Airflow. Thanks Jay for the very cool video.
Me too it’s almost been three years. I started this channel and I found one for sale and I reached out to the guy and he said I could do it and then I don’t know whatever happened to that opportunity sometimes things happen like that it’s weird… I’ve had other ones that sting worse than that though and that’s all I’m going to say about it.. it’s just weird when somebody offers you the kingdom and then when you try to go there you can’t.
Happy you dig this episode it won’t be the last airflow I love these
from today's perspective, the Airflow looks much more modern than most other 30's car, but I would imagine that back then, it looked more like a spaceship! The cylinder head appears to be aluminum, which I think allowed Chrysler to raise compression without pinging on the crappy gas of the day. I love the front door window design! WYR= I'll take the Tatra and the Chrysler Airflow. Jay, if you ever get a chance, you may want to check out the Lane Museum in Tennessee. They have all kinds of weird cars there, including a Tatra that the guys from Hagerty Ins managed to roll on a test drive.
Tatra’s were prone to rolling. They were popular with occupying German officers in Prague but so many rolled them and died in accidents it became known as the Nazi killer!
Thank you so much for sharing all that insight and information. Great choices. I definitely need to get down to Tennessee. I would love to go see Corky Coker that’s on the list of things that I really want to do this year. I would love to interview him…
This channel is priceless 🥇 Please keep em coming 👍
Thank you glad you dig this channel
I wish I would’ve started earlier. This is all I ever wanted to do. I absolutely love doing this channel and I’m very humbled by all the people that totally dig it. =)
Great choices
I never knew there were three makes, I always thought it was "just" a Chrysler. Also didn't know they came in a 2-door. Learn something new every day. Does the rear seat fold down? There must be some kind of rear storage in there... what an awesome car! Except... the 1934 award for world's tiniest ashtray goes to... Airflow! WYR: 1) DeSoto 2) Imperial! 3) Can I trade the Chrysler for an Imperial?
Not too many people do that’s why I took the time in the beginning of the episode to lay it all out. I honestly didn’t know DeSoto made an airflow until two years ago when I saw one and I wanted to cover it then but I couldn’t find the owner.
Great choices =)
I've run across all kinds of cars from the 1930's to present, including even a Tucker for sale in California in the 1980's.
I've never seen a De Soto Airflow.
This video is much appreciated.
Yeah, I totally agree that De Soto airflow. I never even knew existed until two years ago when I saw one in person for the very first time this is the second one that I’ve ever seen.
Not a lot of people know that there were three distinctive airflows, so I figured I’d make an episode and lay it all out for everyone .. =) happy you dig this video
WYR #1- De Soto! WYR #2 1936 Imperial. WYR #3 1937 Airflow. But I’m MOPAR through and through, so maybe biased.
If these look like toasters I wish I had the bread to get one. They’re beautiful examples of art-deco applied to automotive design. I’m also a big fan of the Nazi-killer Tatra V8 and this is a great inclusion.
I’ve just had an epiphany: I’ve always puzzled about the incongruously styled Chrysler PT Cruiser, as it really never seemed to realise the retro styling cues that were its main selling point. It seemed Chrysler had just made a complete hash of it, but now I’m seeing where they were coming from and I believe these cars were it’s inspiration.
Another great video doing us petrol-heads a great service by showing us cars we can only dream about! 👍🏻
Awesome choices. Glad you dig this episode =)
You access the trunk via the rear seat - swings up. The 34 interiors for the Airflows were the best of deco/moderne, but the steering wheel angle is a little bizarre. Since deSoto went all in on the Airflow for 34, sales absoulely tanked. 1935 Airstream to the resecue. WYR 1) Tatra for schock value - your image BTW is a T87, but a later one - the originals did not have faired in headlamps. Amazingly there is one that comes out for a local show near me most years. 2) the 36 Imperial Airflow, but I wonder if the DeSoto might acutally have a lower survival rate. 3) the Packard 120, though it's probably not the best 'deal' if they all cost the same coin.
Thank you so much for pointing that out Joe I saw an advertisement piece for a 1934 Chrysler imperial that had that feature but I wasn’t sure if it was just the Chrysler imperial because I could not find any literature about it on the DeSoto
Awesome choices it would be really hard to not pick the tetra even though it had handling issues I think it had a swing axle similar to what the Volkswagen beetle had Chevy. Corvair also had a rear engine V8 that was air cooled. It was just a really cool car that I really want a feature. I missed my opportunity last year to do one and I’m still kind of kicking myself .
Packard, Packard and Packard Again 😍😂
DeSoto 2nd
I wish my 35 was complete and Workable 😢💔
Picked over yard art 🤷
Great Episode 👏👏👏👍
Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
Wait you have a 35 de Soto airflow????
Awesome choices. It’s really hard to beat the Packard that’s for sure.
@@What.its.like.My grandfather had a 4 door and my Uncle had a 2 door
The 35 DeSoto has a wiring fire 🔥 and the front seat 😢
They picked it over for parts 🤷 just a Rusty Body ..
Yard art ...
I inherited the Chevy Slant back and 29 Chevy 1/2 ton ..
I built Brass and Glass speedsters with Grandpa..
My Uncle was Ford A's and Lakesters 👍☺️
I Love building Speedsters ❤️❤️ All Flavors and Styles..
Enjoy your Adventures 😉
Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
I really want to build a speedster one day love those
WYR: All of them.
The 1934 Chrysler Airflow has the best grill. That waterfall grill is outstanding.
Great choices =) I really like the 36 Chrysler imperial and the 37 Chrysler airflow out of the whole lot but I’ve never been in one.. personally that’s a car that I would really like to drive. I would really like to know what that whole experience is like and share with you all of course
@@What.its.like. Sweet.
I saw one first on my way hom,e (5 Miles) from the Jones Jr. High School. I was about 13 and iot changed my life. It let the nerdy me know there was a design worlds out there
that had nothing to do with the prison like 1886 school buiklding anDD WARDEN LIKE TEACHERS.. I was astounded...transfixed. I could not move. It waS A BEAUTY LIKE NO OTHER. ME AND MY BROTHERS WERE ALL CAR CRAZY KIDS BUT THIS WAS SOMETHING FROM ANOTHER PLANET. wow! It tiurned m e into an architect and designer at that moment. It was the only Airflow for miles around.
The car that you featured does not have a trunk, per se, but it does have a luggage compartment behind the rear seat.
I saw that in an advertisement piece after I put this episode together, but I wasn’t sure if it was just a Chrysler imperial that had that or the De Soto model had it as well
Hi Jay! Ahhhhh. . .the DeSoto Airflow. I have to admit that I really like the styling better on the DeSoto versions than the styling on the Chrysler versions overall. Yes, they are not the most beautiful cars of all time, but they are SO COOL! Chrysler was trying to do something different than other makers at the time. Commercially, they weren't really a success so they weren't around too long. WYR is a tough one, as I admire the Tatra also. But I'm going to pick the DeSoto just because I like them! #2 is easier as that Chrysler Imperial is a pretty good looker and had that straight eight engine! #3, TOO EASY! If I had the money to buy a Packard, a Chrysler, or a Hupp at the same price, I'm getting me that PACKARD!!!!!
Awesome choices =)
That last scenario has been the scenario that I’ve been playing out my head if I could buy one of those three cars for the same price it would be really hard decision for me. They all look awesome I think the Chrysler airflow edges slightly in the interior department over the Packard, 120 in my humble opinion, though , I love Packards I would really love to own one one day I really like the 115 C but I just can’t get over how expensive those are you could get a super eight for what those are going for.. I mean it depends on Market. It depends on where you look. The prices are are all over the place it’s not just a set in-stone price
You may wish to get your hands on a 1937 Chrysler Airflow Jay, but to me that 1936 Chrysler Airflow is nothing short of absolutely spectacular. A real stunner for sure! 😊
36 is another good year I really like the Chrysler imperial 1936 but those cost of fortune I can’t wait to find a 37 or a 36 or 35. I’m gonna cover them all I’m gonna try to do every single body style I can eventually.
@@What.its.like. Your still a young man Jay, plenty of time for you to make lots of $$$ and buy a car (or two) of your dreams! Those '37 Chrysler Airflows however are quite rare, as they only made around 5,000 of them during their last year and no De Soto Airflows, so probably cost a bundle to buy one. But good luck!
Great great gorgeous video on this magnificent vintage classic De Soto Airflow, wow J, I definitely start looking at these stunning cars of the 20S-60s. i certainly will be buying a lot this year.
Glad you did this video I wanna put airflows back on the map. I have never seen one driving in the wild the only ones I’ve ever seen were either at a show or online for sale or in publications but they’re absolutely gorgeous in person.
It's very good condition 😊. Cheers Jay
=)
Cool! Back in the early 70’s I knew a local mill owner who’d show up in his Chrysler Airflow. The Airflow series was ahead of its time and looked odd next to its contemporaries. Reminds me of the SAAB 99 (car built by an airplane company), which also looked weird when it showed up, for the same reason: aerodynamic design. Sometimes a design is more advanced, but people are not ready for it.
1) Tatra. I actually saw one of these parked on the street in Prague in 2015; I pointed it out to my wife and she wasn't impressed. As the owner of a Corvair, I appreciated this rear-engined air-cooled cousin. 2) 36 Imperial. Just looks more regal than the De Soto and still fully aero, before the surrender to more conventional front ends. 3) Packard. Just something about prewar Packards.
Awesome choices. It would be really hard to pass up the Tatra also, . It’s like one of those awesome curiosity cars that never gets the time of day I want to cover one. I did a little bit of research on the tatra T87 I wanted to know how many they made I remember seeing one on Leno’s garage and he said that they’re super rare specially in the United States because they were never commercially imported here according to the Internet they made 3000 and change. I think the number is 58 but I’m not entirely sure. Which makes it a pretty rare car they go for six figures and nice conditions so the odds of owning one are pretty slim.
I believe in 1934 my grandfather bought my grandmother a new Plymouth. He went to use the car. (They only had it a couple of days) And the starter broke. He called the dealer. They towed in the car. Told my grandfather They'd fix it. The sailor my grandfather was said no. He left the dealer in a 34 DeSoto Sedan. This was one of my grandmothers favorite cars. They bought the car in upstate New York. Went through World War 2 in Philadelphia. Only to get T-boned in southern New Jersey.
Thank you so much for sharing those memories. What a great story even though the ending wasn’t very good were they able to save the car or did it go to that great graveyard in the sky
@@What.its.like. I'm afraid it was totaled. It was replaced by I believe with a 27 Chevy coupe. That the body shifted every time they turned.
I’m sold. Saw one delivering papers 60 years ago at the Chrysler dealer. It was, of course, an antique car then and helped to bring interest for the modern vehicles. I wound up buying a 1961 Hillman Convertible (English car) about 8 years later off the same used car lot.
I love these really want one but like the 36/37 Chrysler better
I always loved that design beautiful car. Very art deco look. Airflow - imperial - Airflow.
Awesome choices =)
Pretty darn odd looking, but sharp at the same time.
They are definitely different but in a good way when you see one in person, they are freaking awesome
I love these cars now, thanks, Jay!
These cars are awesome wait until you see one in person
Thanks for doing the Airflow. I have always been curious about these cars, but haven’t found much information. And yes I do like them!
I don’t know if you could tell, but I absolutely love air flow. I wanted this episode to be so much better than it was. There was five minutes of footage I had to cut out because it was copyright blocked. They put one at the top of an eight story cliff And it did a flip landed on its wheels and it started and drove away. They also rolled it and drove away
Also, I love cars off the beaten path that’s what this channel is all about I can’t wait there’s so many cool cars in the pipeline. I think I’m gonna push engine episode Wednesday to engine episode Thursday today’s episode is going to be 1920 Paige that car was a really cool one..
One of the first cars with headlight cavity faired into the fender instead of teardrop "bug eye" enclosure mounted outside of or attached to fender?
I’m not 100% sure cause I did not open the hood on this one
Unique Car. Great episode as always. Appreciate your work.
Happy you dig this one
A little insider information when I started the channel I was looking for cars for sale online because I wasn’t sure how to get access to regular cars and there was a Chrysler airflow for sale, and I reached out to the guy and he said yes and everything but I don’t know what happened to that , sometimes people say yes and it’s only for a specific window of time for whatever reason I saw that airflow for sale again I don’t know if I should reach out to him and see about doing it. My big fear is I’m gonna fall in love with the car I don’t have that kind of money to buy it… So I’ve been waiting almost 3 years to cover an airflow. I saw one at Carlisle two years ago it was a DeSoto, but I could not find the owner…
I love these cars I wish they were more mainstream. It’s going to be one of my goals as I want to bring 30s cars back to the spotlight kind of sort of like where 50s cars are 50s cars are super hot right now.. there’s so many cool cars of the 30s so many
Haven't see the DeSoto up close before and I'm really liking the swoopy trim pieces on the hood and fender skirts. Same for those crazy-cool front windows! And I thought they all had trunks. Also never saw the Imperial version which to me is awesome as I fairly hate the waterfall grille look in the other Airflows.
Yes, the engines did fall out, especially the early years. Chrysler was an early adopter of rubber engine mounts which they called "Floating Power". Most were like the top of some shock absorbers with two rubber biscuits on a shaft contained by washers and a nut. The Airflow relied on bonded engine mounts which had nothing else holding them if the bond between metal and rubber let go or if the rubber tore apart. They weren't strong enough to hold the engine if one let go unlike later cars do. I think they made the mounts stronger after the problem became known but I'm not sure. Chrysler had been known for great engineering before this, but with the new unknown 'unibody' design and a simple failure like this reaching production everyone became suspicious of the Airflow's engineering, with many suspecting the whole car would soon fall apart without a frame. It was very bad publicity for the cars, which along with their weird styling and the Depression economy ruined the sales numbers.
And while Ferdinand Porsche had seen the Airflow up close in the US, he'd also seen the Tatra and he had a design of his own from '29 shaped very much like these cars. So the VW wasn't really a copy of anything; rather just following some styling cues from all these cars with a rear engine involved. The Airflow and the Tatra aerodynamics made them drive so smoothly that drivers often found they were going faster than they thought they were. Like a rear-engine Porche or early Corvair, if you lift off the throttle in a curve with a Tatra, it induces oversteer but it's a lot worse in a Tatra. Hitler liked the Tatra as did many high-ranking Nazis, and between the speed deception and thus approaching an autobahn exit too quickly, many Tatra's rolled and killed the occupants who weren't used to that kind of handling quirk since every other car would understeer in that situation instead. Hagerty, the classic car insurance specialists, test-drove a Tatra to evaluate the handling and actually rolled it even knowing this quirk about them.
WYR #1 The Tatra is so advanced for its time it has to win. And of course it's the Imperial Airflow for round #2 The Packard 120 for #3
Awesome choices. Thank you so much for taking the time to add all of this insight and information. I did find an advertisement piece for a Chrysler airflow imperial, though that had the trunk in the back you left the seat up to get to it, but I couldn’t find a single piece of DeSoto literature that had the same thing so I just wasn’t 100% sure on that, I also found that information after I compose the video which is in a lot of cases the case but I can’t wait to do another one. I definitely want to show how that feature works.
I will have to find the episode on Haggerty. They’re definitely a group of people that I would really like to make contact with. That’s a goal for this year.
@@What.its.like. The Hagerty thing is something I've seen mentioned several times by others with no rebuttals, so I presume it's true. I just don't have that info directly from them or anyone else directly, but given all that I've read about the Tatra from owners and others, it seems very possible. The Tatra is probably the worst case scenario for throttle-lift-oversteer there is, but driven sanely it's supposed to be a great handling car otherwise.
I love these. I considered buying a 1936 De Soto Airflow sedan to restore back in the mid 90's but I thought it was a tiny bit too far gone for my talents and the seller wanted a little too much. I have regretted not getting it ever since. I would choose the super awesome Tatra T87, the 1936 Chrysler Imperial Airflow, and the beautiful 1937 Packard 120 Touring.
Awesome choices
I have personally never seen one in person for sale. I get on from time to time to see what they’re going for the two doors are going for an absurd amount of money… six figures for a two door the imperial models they go for a lot of money as well because they didn’t make that many of them. They’re very scarce.
But like everything the numbers are all over the place. I’ve seen four-door 37 airflows for as little as 20 grand in good condition I’ve seen them as high as 80 grand 4 doors
Great video Jay. I need to get down to Hickory Corners one of these days. My choices would be the DeSoto, earlier Chrysler Airflow, and the Packard.
Awesome choices
Yeah, you definitely need to go out there. If you’ve never been it’s definitely worth the trip there’s stuff there that you only read about.
great video, a truly great car choice. question 1 #2, question 2 #2 or a 1934 chrysler that would be perfered.
Awesome choices
I used to know where two of these were. North Eastern Montana. There is a sign that says Madoc, but there is no town. Drive north across the Railroad tracks. They are a mile, or two up that road, on the west side. There is a coupe, and two door sedan.
Thank you so much for sharing that is there anyway that you could copy a link to show pictures of what you just explained it sounds spooky yet intriguing
@@What.its.like. A picture of what? I haven't been up there since 1997.
I didn’t know if you had a picture of the two airflows in the field what a crazy story though
@@What.its.like. there was a big beautiful pile of cars there once. I'm sure the old guy is dead now, but the cars may be still there. Maybe there was an auction IDK. There was even a 32 Ford five window in the pile, but he was dead set on not selling anything.
@@What.its.like. If you go to the small town of Vida Montana, go to the grain elevator, or the bar. Ask for Abe Abraham, he was born and raised there. He can turn you on to more old cars than you, and all your friends, have money to buy! He turned me on to a pile of 55-56 Mercury's all two door coupes. I never did drag them home.
I love your channel ! I dont always comment but i haven't missed a video from day one !
Thank you so much it means the world that you dig this channel =) thank you so much for tolerating some of the early stuff I’m not saying it’s perfect it’s definitely getting better.
Seeing the pools of dripping fluids on the museum floor, some with tire marks, makes one appreciate the high level of maintenance being carried out at Jay Leno’s Garage!
Besides the Czech Tatra, here is also the streamline range of Peugeot of France, starting with the small 202 and then the 402 and the big 402 Familiale. As a particular feature, they all had headlights concealed under the waterfall grill, airflow hood, skirted rear wheels and opening windshield. These models were built from 1936 until 1942 (production of passenger cars stopped by the Nazis).
These are such unique and beautiful designs! I love these and the Chrysler Airflows as well! I would have to go with the absolute dream of the Tatra in the first scenario! In the second scenario, the '36 is so stunning, and would be incredibly tough to pass up, although i really love the '37, maybe if I knew I would have a third scenario with the '37, I could have them both,😊 what a dream!😎
Awesome choices. I totally agree with you. If I could have a Tatra I totally would. I’ve only seen one in person that was last year at the Gilmore. Auto Museum and I missed my opportunity to showcase that car. I thought it was a permanent resident there I was wrong that is absolutely gorgeous in person. I wanted to compare a Tatra to an airflow.
Is this airflow in a public viewing area at the museum?
It was in a public viewing room. It’s on rotation now it was in the back room. There’s one more in the pipeline in that back room. I could’ve honestly just stayed in the back room. There was a lot of really cool cars back there that I was totally allowed to be around. =)
Good God Jay! You've gotten ridiculous with those tiny snippets of "Name that Tune"! Have always loved Airflows and the Gilmore!
I had to make name that tune, harder for this one it’s a song that’s been used before but nobody got it
It’s a deep dive Beach boys song
How THE heck did that get that vent window in the front to work with that crank handle???
Clever design
I totally agree with you. What an awesome design it’s not the only card that does it either. There’s other cars that did that feature as well. I think Chrysler was the first one though.
The desoto airflo 2dr looks much like the vw beatle. Interestingly the desoto was made before the bug. Ferdinand was known to have been in America and admired it before designing the vw
Especially in the two-door coupe variety..
Never acquired the taste for this car. Was there a luggage area behind the seat? Seemed like it from the video but it was difficult to see how much space was back there.
I guess there was a luggage area behind the seats. I saw it in an imperial advertisement after I composed the episode but I wasn’t sure if it was just a Chrysler imperial option because I’d never saw it in De Soto literature..
Hi Jay, that car is very art deco, my favorite car designs are the art deco era.
Totally agree
The packard swan hood ornament is the best.
There's an Airflow that makes an appearance in the local car shows in Casper. They are a cool looking car and the design is unique and interesting throughout. What happened to Chrysler?!?
Bad management is what happened to Chrysler. They spent a bunch of money on a bunch of programs that they didn’t get any return from like the turbine project.. they perfected it just to throw it away
For WYR, I would take the ‘34 DeSoto Airflow, the ‘37 Chrysler, and the ‘37 Chrysler yet again.
I have always been interested in these cars. Given how styling changed by the end of the 1930s I guess you’d have to say they were futuristic, even if they didn’t catch on with the buying public at the time. But why did they use chicken wire for the roof? Wouldn’t that roof have had the same kind of eventual problems with the elements like the woodie station wagons? And I was wondering if there was storage behind that back seat in lieu of a trunk?
That front door window with the adjustable vents was a good idea. Car manufacturers should have kept it…but then they should never have gotten rid of vent windows after the late 1960s IMO.
At any rate, thank you for covering this car.
I totally agree. The vent window situation was really cool. I know that this isn’t the only card of feature that feature. I’m just not entirely sure what other cars have it I do remember seeing it on another car though it was a Chrysler product after this car.
I have no idea why this never really caught on this car gives me streamline, toaster vibes, as well as Lionel train vibes
Great choices
As far as the roof, they hadn’t come up with a way in which to make a steel roof one piece yet a lot of cars have the chicken wire insert
I’m probably way off, but is the tune Surf City by Jan and Dean from 1963?
Great guess it’s not that song or band it is a beach boys song but it’s an off the path Beach boys song it’s before 1967
@@What.its.like. After I typed that I thought it's probably the Beach Boys. Their sound was very similar in 1963-64.
Did I miss the purpose of the roof with the black I guess vinyl covering? You said there was chicken wire under there. But was this for a design purpose or ? I take it, this area does NOT retract or open up so it is deemed a sunroof? If I missed something, sorry.
All older cars are like that up until a certain point they hadn’t figured out how to make a full steel top yet.. that was my bad. I should’ve explained that I did explain it in a previous episode, but I didn’t explain it this one.
11:50 Watching this video, I can't help think it would be almost the SAME video if you shot it in black and white. That car is such a neutral gray I can't really tell if it's color or B/W.
I totally agree, but this was the perfect shade of gray or silver in my opinion
Tatra..powered with a flathead 8
1936 Chrysler Imperial
1937 Packard
Great choices
Airplane with 4 wheels that doesn't fly, but its beautiful!🏁
Yes =)
Second scenario, the imperial airflow. 👑 🌬️
Sweet choice
The 1938 Peugeot 402 looks like the designers cribbed the design from the Desoto Airflow, except the lights were put behind the grill.
_... the cars, that look like toasters._
Great Line.
The Airflow series of cars cost Chrysler dearly. And they were a difficult resale in the car lots of the day. My late Father's first car was a 34 Chrysler Airflow. In the late 50's, it was still soldiering on. And Pops wasn't easy on cars. His experiences must not have been too bad, he was a Mopar man all his, including nearly twenty years employment at a Chrysler dealership.
That’s awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your father‘s experience with the car testament to how durable it really was. It’s a car that I really want to own one day. It’s on the shortlist of 30s cars that fantasy scenario at the end is my scenario if all of those three cars were the same price I don’t know which one I would pick, it would be really hard to pick between those three because they have things the other cars don’t they’re all straight eights and they all sound completely different. The Hupmobile has a really interesting sounding engine.
no trunk is a deal-breaker - why no trunk? I like the 35 Hupmobile.
No camera in the glovebox ?
Yeah missed that part
@@What.its.like. Great video though, as always.
36 Imperial,Very Ahead of it’s time Beautiful Car
Totally agree I can’t wait to find one I’ve waited almost 3 years to cover an airflow great choice.
34 De Soto
36 Imperial Airflow
37 Packard 120
Hey son, How about I flip up the seat back and you crawl back in the trunk and get out Mom's suitcase? Can you do that for me?
I've always thought the airflow idea was a good one, and in all honesty the fact that they used a wind tunnel to design it was pretty unusual for automobiles in that time period.
The only problem with the buying public thought it was unusual too, unusual looking that is. That said, you got to get props to Chrysler for going all in on an idea.
Awesome choices. I honestly didn’t know about that feature when I went to go look at that car I found it after I composed the episode but I never found it in DeSoto literature, so I didn’t know if De Soto had the trunk feature from behind the seat like a Nash metropolitan.
You missed one rare and important model. Chrysler Canada built 445 Chrysler Airflows in !933-34. They were Desotos rebadged as Chryslers with a Chrysler grill, bumpers, instrument panel and badging. I believe only 37 are known to exist today and I found one stored in someone's garage. It's waiting for me to get enough money together to buy it.
I’m not versed in Canadian models if I’m honest. Thank you so much for sharing that information
How did they offer a chassis version of a monocoque car?
classiccarcatalogue.com/DE_SOTO_1934.html
36 Tatra (it's kinda related to the Airflow, note the wheels...)
36 Imperial
35 Hupmobile
Well, that song makes up for the easy one last week....
I gotta start making the name that tune harder. This song is off the beaten path Beach boys song it’s before 1967.
Great choices I would really love to cover a tatra one day I miss my opportunity last year. I’m still kicking myself for it.
Straight out of Gotham.
Good video 😀
Thank you happy you enjoyed this one
Ah-HA! They do look like toasters. Since the headlights weren't exactly oval-shaped, I always thought Chrysler fashioned them look like jewels. 11:22 That must be the heaviest fender skirt ever made. WYR: 1. Nash 2. Imperial 3. Packard
Great choices
I would love to find a Nash like that. I’ve never seen one in person. The headlights are very interesting on this car. I’m not sure if it’s the first to use headlights that are in the fenders.
An amazing car. It would have been a great post-war reintroduction in 1946.
Any of the Chrysler products.
Sweet
An excellent car ahead of it's time ,it's a pity that people didn't like it.
Totally agree.. I personally want to own one someday and share it with this many people as I possibly can that includes anybody that watches the channel I have some really good goals in life I would really like to put on a car show couple times a year and open it up to anybody that wants to come totally free
@@What.its.like. Great idea , but I can't go because I live in Argentina , so far from you.Greetings from Buenos Aires.
Does the rear seat fold down for a trunk space?? Great video!! I have to agree.PLASTIC SUCKS!!! Especially in a car!! If it's not needed, don't add it on!!! 34 De Soto Airflow, 36 Imperial Airflow.
I saw an advertisement piece after I made this video for Chrysler imperial that did it but couldn’t find anything stating de Soto had the same feature
Great choices =)
There's footage from when they pushed one off a cliff, then immediately drove it away. Guess even the battery stayed in place.
I always thought these cars were cool, but from my understanding Chrysler took a bath on them. Don't understand how they could not incorporate a trunk.
Is the song Love Shack by B52s?
Great yes it’s not the love shack. It’s a beach boys song before 1967. I guess I was wrong. There is a trunk it’s behind the rear seat kind of similar to a metropolitan. I saw it in an advertisement piece, but I saw it for a Chrysler imperial evidently the De Soto had the same thing.
@@What.its.like. Interesting. Still awkward versus a regular sedan at the time.
Also, have to remember this is 1934 there wasn’t that many cars that had built-in trunks most of them were external at this point that’s how futuristic this car was
Those Airflows were said to be too advanced for their time to be successful. I like all of the Airflows but the Imperial Airflow would be my pick.
Sweet choice =)
That’s one of my dreams/goals is to own an airflow at one point I would love to drive it as much as possible just to get what peoples reaction is that car now would look like a spaceship just like it looks like a spaceship back then some things never do change lol
19:39 cool old 1930 house trailers WYR all 6
I wanted to cover one of those so bad do you know what those trailers are?… they are Pierce arrow travel lodges. They look freaking awesome on the inside definitely something I definitely want to come back to.
With no seat belts, it seems so odd to see big chrome bars in the back seat, right at teeth level!
.
35 Nash Chrysler air flow
Awesome choices =)
It's not a Lan-see-ya. It's a Lanchia. It's an Italian word,.
I wonder why they used that chicken wire roof on this vehicle? Any guesses? Striking vehicle.
They hadn’t figured out a way to make a full steel top yet I think 37 is completely steel but I’m not 100% sure on that
Liked 💙👍💯
Led Zeppelin, Whole Lotta Love.
Great guess not that song or band
the airflow was ahead of its time and people were used to the boxy look sad.
I love airflows
If I could only pick one car it would be the Huppmobile.
Sweet choice =)
These cars are SO COOL. Sad what Chrysler has come to.
Totally agree Chrysler is just a shell of there former shelf
I get around by the Beach Boys 🤷
Your on the right track not that song
In 1934, this car was a failure. The biggest problem was the engine falling out. This is why 1937 was its last year. The car got good MPG, BUT it was a PR nightmare.
I’ve heard instances where that has happened. I wonder why they had an engine loss problem like literally the engine just falls out of the car
@What.its.like. My understanding was the way they mounted the engine and transmission. They were in a big hurry to get the car on the market, and short cuts happened. The 34 and 35 had the most problems,
Art Deco as😊
=) I love these really want one
'35 Nash and '36 Imperial.'35 Huppmobile to buy.
Sweet choices
Jay, this was a great one. Liking the Art Deco influences and the styling, the design "Q" from the hood emblem carried onto the fender skirt. I believe the center of the dash is a radio or what's left of one. I would like the Imperial version the best! Thank you, as always.
You’re totally welcome. Thank you so much for watching it. Happy you dig this episode. I really wanna drive one.
I don’t put major effaces on driving cars because a lot of the Classic Cars you can have two that are identical one another but everything wears out differently so my experience might be different than your experience.. but this is a car I definitely want to drive. There’s there’s a handful of cars I mean, realistically if I could drive all of them I totally would, but these are just so cool.
Looks like a chopped wind screen
I was going to add that as a negative. The roof is really tall, but it has these really small windows in it.
👍👍
Chrysler Imperial
Sweet choice
Review a Citroen DS Jay.
I totally will. I have a friend that has a DS as well as a traction avant it’s on the list of things to do this year. I can’t wait to go see him. He has been on my mind. I should call him. =)
@@What.its.like. YES DO IT.
Tequila --- The Champs ?
Great guess not that song or band