Automotive innovation hasn’t always been greeted with open arms by the car buying public, and the Airflows of 1934-37 were no exception. What began as an exercise in raising the bar of safety, styling and comfort, resulted in a marketing disaster that nearly destroyed the DeSoto nameplate. The Airflow concept was considered too radical in the mid-30’s and it would take years before they would be recognized as truly groundbreaking automobiles, cars that offered unique features the other manufacturers weren’t prepared to provide to their own customers.

The saga began in 1927 when Chrysler Research Chief, Carl Breer, observed a squadron of military aircraft and thought of applying streamlined principals to an automobile. Working in conjunction with engineers Fred Zeder and Owen Skelton, the “Three Musketeers” developed a design concept that was refined through wind tunnel testing with the assistance of none other than Orville Wright.

By 1932, the prototype was completed and production was given the go sign for an introduction at the New York Auto Show in January 1934 where it was met with mixed reviews. It seemed that this new DeSoto was too radical for the automotive mavens of the day to view the Airflow as a trend setter even though it later became the harbinger of emerging trends and features that are now commonplace in the cars we drive today.

There are many reasons why the Airflow was different from its more common brethren: the aerodynamic Art Deco zeppelin tear drop shape, the steel frame unitized superstructure, an engine moved nearly 20 inches forward over the front axle with the rear seat relocated in front of the rear axle thereby increasing passenger space and headroom, an enclosed radiator, three-wide front seating, and flush mounted headlights along with a front to rear weight distribution of 55/45, reversing the common 45/55 front to rear weight distribution of most cars at that time. Its performance was also noted on the salt flats of Utah when the Airflow broke 70 speed records at Bonneville and its reputation for strength became legendary when during a filmed demonstration, it was pushed off a 110 foot cliff in Pennsylvania and astonishingly drove away under its own power. It seemed like a sure thing for Chrysler but buyers stayed away in droves and experts of the day relegated the Airflow to a list of cars that should never have been built in the first place. It has taken decades to redeem the Airflow and today, like the Tucker, the Corvair and others, this DeSoto has seen a resurgence in interest by collectors who now recognize its relevance and importance in the annals of American automotive history.

The vehicle featured in this article (VIN# 5077550) was built in Detroit on May 25, 1934, and shipped to the James F. Waters agency in San Francisco on May 28, 1934. Waters was known then as the world’s largest DeSoto Plymouth dealership. In 1939, Waters moved on to other pursuits and the old dealership located at 1355-1395 Van Ness Avenue changed hands, becoming Ellis Brooks Chevrolet which still exists today.

Shortly after the DeSoto arrived in San Francisco, Eugene Barr (the present owner’s grandfather) purchased the car and drove it until 1943, eventually passing it on to Stephen Barr’s father, who used it as a family camping vehicle between WW II and the Korean War. In 1956, Stephen learned how to drive with the help of the Airflow and it continued to remain in the Barr family until approximately 1962, when it was given away by his father during the time Stephen was serving in the Navy.

Stephen Barr never forgot about the Airflow and the memories it held but tracking it down was another matter altogether since he wasn’t aware the car even existed. Numerous attempts to locate the DeSoto through normal channels were met with failure and it appeared that he would have to accept the fact that it was gone.

In 2003, Stephen placed a vehicle locator inquiry on the DeSoto Airflow website. To his surprise he was contacted a short time later by someone who thought he might have the car in question. After describing the particulars of the car, it was apparent that the DeSoto the caller had in his possession was the same one Barr had been searching years for. On December 10, 2003, Stephen and the Airflow were reunited once again. It was a reunion that neither will ever forget.

Since 2003, the Airflow has been restored and proudly displayed by an individual who never wavered in his quest to once again bring the same car home in 2003 to the same family that first brought it home in the summer of 1934.

Point of Manufacture: Detroit, Michigan
Assembly Date: May 25, 1934
Original Cost (FOB Detroit): $995.00
Body Style: Kercheval/Model #2139
Total 1934 Production: 13,940 units
Overall height: 68 inches
Length: 196 inches
Wheelbase: 115.5 inches
Tires: 6.50/16
Tread: front/rear 57 inches/56.25 inches
Weight: 3323 lbs.
Transmission: floor mounted 3-speed manual
Engine Displacement: 241.5 cubic inches
Bore: 3 3/8 inches
Stroke: 4.5 inches
Compression Ratio: 6.2 to 1
Horsepower: 100@3600 RPM
Differential Axle Ratio: 4.11 to 1
Weight Distribution (front/rear): 55/45