In the realm of vehicles showcased in Jay Leno’s garage content, the 1934 Chrysler Airflow is a recurring highlight. This exclusive luxury automobile was an innovative, though somewhat misunderstood, engineering venture that the senior personnel of Walter Chrysler’s team struggled to market successfully, resulting in its classification as a commercial flop.
Following 1934, the design of the vehicle was dialed back, only to be eventually phased out by 1937. Less than 30,000 units rolled off the assembly line in Highland Park before Chrysler shifted focus to a more traditional design in 1938.
Jay Leno’s cherished possession, a maiden-year Chrysler Airflow Imperial CX, boasts a six-seat configuration with a LeBaron body, constructed on a 137.5-inch wheelbase. Amongst the mere three surviving CX units today, this particular model stands out. Perhaps drawing inspiration from Tatra vehicles of Europe, the Airflow was brought to life in a freshly established wind tunnel, employing the expertise of aviation pioneer Orville Wright. It emerged as America’s inaugural streamlined car, featuring innovative comfort elements and Art Deco embellishments.
FCA
Renowned Tatra (and Zeppelin) designer, Paul Jaray, filed a lawsuit against Chrysler, alleging that the Airflow was a replica. Despite this claim, Tatras were rear-engine, air-cooled V8 automobiles, while Chrysler’s aerodynamic cruiser boasted a front-mounted straight-eight flathead engine. This dependable cast-iron powerplant delivered 122 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, yielding a maximum speed slightly over 100 mph. Impressively, the vehicle maintained a serene and comfortable cruising experience at speeds up to 80 mph, credited to a three-speed transmission with overdrive and freewheeling functionality.
Beneath the debated waterfall grille, Chrysler incorporated more ventilation points compared to its rivals, ensuring optimal airflow at any velocity. Upon its 1934 debut, the Airflow featured triple adjustable air slits behind the fenders, two positioned in front of the windshield to direct airflow to the passengers’ feet, a split windshield that could be opened, side glass that retracted into the doors alongside vent windows, and an additional pair of vent windows on the C-pillars.
Devoid of visible side mirrors, the Airflow was marketed as a luxury vehicle achieving 20 mpg, with an interesting claim by Chrysler stating that “water even rises up through the windshield in a downpour, while its back remains free from dust.”
An interesting footnote is that Jay Leno’s vehicle, being representative of a typical Californian car, lacks both of its wipers which can be individually operated.
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