What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

I found this very interesting about this Chrysler Airflow Vrs the Chrysler Airstream ,,Air Strream sold 9-1 over the Air flow model ,,,

And this Publicity Stunt

Prior to the Airflow's debut, Chrysler did a publicity stunt in which they reversed the axles and steering gear of a conventional 1933 model, which allowed the car to be driven "backwards" throughout Detroit. The stunt caused a near panic, but the marketing department felt that this would call attention to the poor aerodynamics of current cars, and send a hint that Chrysler was planning something big.The car that emerged was like no other American production car to date.

Chrysler made a significant effort at a fundamental change in automotive design with the Chrysler Airflow, but it was ultimately a commercial failure.

The AirFlow
Attachment 1818567
The AirStream
Attachment 1818568

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

I recently watched "The cars that made America" on the history channel....
dramatized of course but it had some factual and interesting insights on how the automobile was developed, manufactured, and innovated throughout the 20th century....
and the roles that various men played in it...

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

I think the Airflow design made for a good looking milk truck

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

I bet that was interesting,, bet it showed the good the bad and the ugly too,,liked to have seen this.

Does have some resimblace ,, think I like the truck better

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

Those came out in '37 with that style. Just a few years after the Airflow

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

If you want to win big, you gotta gamble big.

The car was ugly but hey, if it ran better.....look how ugly modern cars are!

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

Thanks for the movie .. had no idea that they built a frame work of strength inside that sheet metal on any car back then,,,,must of been the looks that scared people off from only buying 1 out of 10 between the flow and the stream.

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

I never knew it was a flop. At my age I have always known them as sought after classics. One of the exceptional cars like a '37 Cord.

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

I was surprised also Tim ..just thought they were rare for another reason.

Re: What a Stunt,, Chrysler gambled and lost
 

I did a search for pictures. I have only been familiar with the '34 front end and only sedans. They altered the front a bit to blend a more familiar grille style in. The coupes look 10x better. They complete the whole aerodynamic deal. And, there were Desoto Airflows. Now that has to be a rare car in a couple.

Here is the coupe, then '35, '36, and '37 grille changes
Dodge:
Attachment 1819932
Desoto:
Attachment 1819933
'35:
Attachment 1819935
'36:
Attachment 1819936
'37:
Attachment 1819934