1934 DeSoto Airflow 6 cylinder Sedan (RHD)

Description

Named after a Spanish explorer and intended as a new lower priced offering in the Chrysler corporate line-up, the DeSoto was introduced as a separate make for the 1929 model year, filling a gap between the less expensive Plymouth and Chrysler itself. The conventionally styled and engineered DeSoto proved a hit right from the outset, with more than 80,000 cars sold in the first twelve months, a record for a new American make at that time. Like most of the American auto industry, the Depression hit DeSoto sales hard, with sales of the 1930 models more than halved despite the introduction of a new eight-cylinder model. The early Thirties saw progressive improvements carried out, both to the mechanical specification and general appearance and the slow-selling Eight was dropped in 1932, replaced by a bigger, more powerful six. The DeSoto continued to move closer to the Chrysler brand, both in price and equipment levels, culminating with a version of the radical Airflow model in 1934. Ushering in a new era of streamlining, the Airflow utilised a new beam and truss method of body construction that was both lighter and stronger than more conventional techniques. The advantages were many, including better performance and reduced fuel consumption, more space inside with room to comfortably seat six passengers and greater ride comfort, with the rear seat now ahead of the rear axle. Under the skin the DeSoto featured a conventional 241.5-cid six developing 100 horsepower, with a three-speed transmission and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. DeSoto catalogued four different body styles, including two-door coupes and broughams and four-door sedans and town sedans, all with the same list price of $995. In a publicity stunt to promote the impressive fuel economy of the new model, Harry Hartz - a well-known racing driver of the day - drove across America from New York to San Francisco with a gas bill of just $33.06. Hartz also set no less than 32 AAA stock car records at the wheel of his Airflow at California's Muroc Dry Lake that year, including the five-mile mark of 86.23mph. A version of the Airflow was sold in Britain, marketed as the Chrysler Croydon and the design was arguably better received in Europe than domestically, winning the Grand Prix award for aerodynamic styling at the Monte Carlo Concours d'Elegance two years running. Sadly the American public failed to catch on to the Airflow's obvious virtues and just 13,940 were built in 1934, followed by just 6797 of the revised, more conventionally-styled 1935 model that followed - indeed DeSoto offered owners of the earlier model the chance to update their 1934 cars to the later appearance to avoid any disquiet.