'No Reserve' Airflows in Shannons May 4 Melbourne Auction
• Two rare, right hand drive Airflows
• Restored ‘Brass Era’ 1910 Ford Model T
• Stunning 1968 Shelby Mustang Fastback
Two very collectible American ‘Airflow’ sedans from the 1930s – a ‘barn-find’ 1934 Chrysler and a 1934 DeSoto in good overall condition – are standout vehicles entered in Shannons Melbourne Autumn Classic auction on May 4.
Both are right hand drive and each is expected to attract bids in the $30,000-$40,000 from collectors and Airflow enthusiasts, including those in Shannons’ rapidly expanding online audience.
Chrysler’s ground-breaking Airflow was one of the world’s first full-size American cars to use streamlining for reduced wind resistance when it was introduced in 1934.
It is rumoured that Professor Ferdinand Porsche imported an early Airflow coupe into German and used it for inspiration before designed his seminal Volkswagen Beetle.
Czechoslovakia’s Tatra, Toyota and Volvo were other car companies to develop models inspired by American Airflow design.
While it fundamentally influenced future automotive design, it was ultimately a huge commercial failure. However this hasn’t stopped it being very collectible amongst enthusiasts today.
This original right hand drive straight-eight engined Airflow has recently emerged from a South Australian collection where it spent the previous 30 or so years stored and unused.
The elegant Chrysler is in need of recommissioning, but Shannons expect that this could enhance its value to collectors, who may welcome the opportunity to start the restoration of this sought-after American Classic with a ‘clean sheet’.
Importantly, the Airflow still has its ‘Lane’s Motors of Melbourne’ dealer plate affixed to its left hand door jamb and will be sold with a number of hard to get spare parts.
The other ‘Airflow’ in the auction is also a nicely presented 1934 right hand drive straight six cylinder DeSoto sedan, which in its era was a more affordable sub-range to Chrysler.
The car being auctioned was purchased from an estate in Melbourne. It underwent some restoration work over 10 years ago and has been laid-up for the past four years, but presents well inside and out and according to its vendor it is a “good runner”.
Also offered with ‘no reserve’, it is similarly expected to sell in the $30,000-$40,000 range.
Other significant Classics already entered for Shannons May 4 Melbourne auction include a restored 1910 Ford Model T Tourer with a great Australian history, a restored, right hand drive 1924 Hudson Super Six 7-passenger sedan, a stunning fully-restored V8-engined 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 2 and a superb and sought-after Shelby GT500 Fastback.
Protect your Classic. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.
