These three innovators in the late 1920s and early 1930s were known as The Three Musketeers.
1934 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW HUBLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY SERIES
Sources say he also watched military planes on their practice maneuvers, while others say his interest in lighter-than-air airships and how their shapes helped them move through the atmosphere inspired him.īreer, with fellow Chrysler engineers Fred Zeger and Owen Skelton, began a series of wind tunnel tests with the assistance of aviation expert Orville Wright to study which forms were the most efficient shapes in nature that could be suitable for an automobile. Breer's journey into his concept began while viewing geese travel through the air in a 'V' flight pattern. Extremely revolutionary for the 1930s, the sales, unfortunately, preempted the Airflow's demise. Carl Breer was ahead of his time in terms of aerodynamics. Though it ended up being what is considered by some a commercial failure, Chrysler did make an effort at a fundamental change in automotive design with the Chrysler Airflow.Ĭhrysler's Engineer Carl Breer was responsible for the concept of the Airflow, due to his curiosity about 'how forms affected their movement through the environment'. A vehicle ahead of its time, it would never grow into the desired success the company had hoped it would become.īy Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007 Produced from 1934 until 1937, the Chrysler Airflow was the original full-size American production vehicle that used streamlining as a basis for building a sleeker automobile, one less susceptible to air resistance. Production continued for a number of years but popularity never really materialized. The appearance was not its only downfall the vehicle suffered from reliability problems. The waterflow grille was very different and controversial, prompting later models to be changed with more conventional ones. It was very different from other cars on the road at the time and that did not prove to be what customers wanted. Unfortunately, the style had not caught up to function and sales suffered. It was a design that was far ahead of its time. The eight-cylinder engine provided around 115 horsepower or more depending on the options selected. The interior was surprisingly roomy and comfortable. Soon, the Airflow would be used by the Chrysler's counterpart, the DeSoto Motor Company. In 1937, the vehicle was taken off the market.Ĭhassis Profiles The Chrysler Airflow was introduced in 1934 as an exercise in aerodynamics, form, and function. The 1936 year saw only 6,285 Chrysler Airflow sales and 5,000 De Soto sales. The cheaper De Soto alternative sold 13,940 vehicles. The 122-horsepower Inline-8 could power the car from zero to sixty in 19.5 seconds and attain a top speed of about 88 miles per hour.ĭuring the first year of production, 11,292 Chrysler Airflow's were sold. This also did not produce desirable sales results, so the grill was again modified. When sales did not do well, the grill was changed to a more conventional 'skyscraper' gill in 1935. The front of the car had a large grill that extended from the hood to the bumper.
The largest length measured 145 inches and was dubbed the Custom Imperials.
The vehicle could be purchased in five different wheelbase lengths. In 1934, the production model was completed and ready for sale.Ĭhryslers Airflows used strictly eight cylinders, while the De Soto version used six cylinders. A prototype called the Trifon Special was constructed in 1932. Lightweight, rigid materials were used to help compliment the vehicle's design.
Orville Wright, an aviation expert, was called upon to help design a vehicle that achieved aerodynamics similar to an airplane. The vehicle's design came about after many hours spent in wind tunnels. The design was revolutionary for the 1930s the sales, however, would be its downfall. Chassis Profiles The Carl Breer-designed Chrysler Airflow was ahead of its time in terms of aerodynamics.
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