

The Chrysler Airflow was a concept car brought to life. To gain a considerable increase in top speed, you would either have to fit a much larger powerplant or you could try what Chrysler started with the Airflow – shape your vehicle in accordance with aerodynamic principles and create a bodyshape that creates an air path of least resistance.Ĭhrysler was meticulous in following the theory, even fitting a curved waterfall grille on the front of the Airflow, ensuring nothing created unnecessary drag. The buffering force you feel pushing your hand and arm backwards is what your car is pushing against all the time that it is moving. To gain a basic understanding, next time you drive a car, briefly stick your arm out of the window. Why did giving a vehicle an engine of twice the power only result in a quarter of total speed gained? And why did motorcars that were typically shaped for their time drive 30% more efficiently if driven backwards? Something inherent in vehicular design was holding vehicles back from their true potential, but what was it? It was a great deal of effort for a manufacturer to invest in a car but it was all to solve some niggling problems.

This Chrysler Airflow, in an attractive shade of burgundy and now over eight decades in age, comprehensively ticks all the boxes thanks to six years of secretive research conducted by the Chrysler Corporation, thorough wind tunnel testing as well as lengthy consultations with aviation pioneers – the Wright brothers and the Mayo brothers of the Mayo clinic. The Chrysler Airflow did all of these things, and with sheer tenacity on behalf of some truly pioneering engineers. Most of us have only ever seen one in a museum, making this the perfect opportunity for any serious collector to bag a significant chunk of American automotive history.ġ920 Stutz Bearcat Oozes Racing Heritage, But You Wouldn't Know ItĪ car is generally considered a classic when it either reaches a notable age, starts a new trend, or because it set a new benchmark in vehicle technology and development upon launch. Whether you’re specifically on the hunt for a Chrysler Airflow or not, we think this is a listing well worth looking at purely for enjoyable insights into automotive history and engineering. Very rarely do they come up for sale on the open market – but we've found one! The Chrysler Airflow remains one of America's most significant automotive creations.
