Chrysler Imperial Airflow Series C-10 Sedan, 1936
Chrysler Imperial III
Chrysler Imperial III•
•80 views
Chassis No.: 7015285
Engine No.: C10-4141
Estimate: US$75,000 - US$100,000 USD
- 323.5ci L-Head Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
- Single Stromberg Carburetor
- 130bhp at 3,400rpm
- 3-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
- Solid Front and Rear Axles, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
- Lockheed Hydraulic Drum Brakes
- An award-winning example of Chrysler's revolutionary Airflow
- Highly detailed restoration by RB Collection of Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Consistent award winner at concours events
- Previous Airflow Club National Meet 1st Prize winner
- Rare Airflow-only alloy cylinder head
- Lovely period correct Del Monte Beige paintwork
- Groundbreaking design and engineering
The Airflow was indeed a car ahead of its time. The futuristic styling is of course the hallmark – with its waterfall grille, stylized headlamps and bumpers – although the revolutionary unitary construction also made its share of headlines when new. Unfortunately for Chrysler, the public never quite warmed to the styling, and production problems with the new body construction led to quality issues. At the time, the Airflow was deemed a commercial failure and disappeared after 1937 with only 55,000 produced for both Chrysler and DeSoto car lines over four years. With hindsight, however, the Airflow's influence on future automobile production can hardly be understated, as its more than 50 engineering firsts and 72 national speed records can attest.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1936 Chrysler Imperial C-10 Airflow is a rare and beautiful example of the luxurious flagship Airflow. After spending nearly 50 years quietly tucked away in a museum, this car's recent history picks up around 2010 when it was acquired by Mr. Loren Hulber, a Pennsylvania-based collector with an exceptional passion for authenticity and detail. In 2013, Mr. Hulber entrusted local specialists RB Collection, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, to refurbish and detail the car for concours events.
Attesting to the quality of the restoration and the attention to detail, this Airflow received of the DuPont Homsey Award at the 2014 100 Motorcars of Radnor Hunt, the Chairman's Award at the 2015 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, and the American Spirit Award at the 2015 Elegance at Hershey. Additionally, it received top honors at the Airflow Club National Meet in 2014.
Later in 2015, this car sold at auction for a world record price for an Airflow. It traded hands again 2018, and today is being offered from a prestigious and extensive collection of significant automobiles. Notably, as an Imperial, it is a Classic Car Club of America Full Classic® and eligible for their prestigious concours events and CARavan® Tours.
The body, finished in an authentic period shade of Del Monte Beige Metallic, is exquisitely presented and detailed with period-correct fender skirts, dual taillights, an exhaust extension, Appleton fog lights, artillery-type wheels, and wide whitewall tires. The interior, a fabulous display of Art Deco style, has been painstakingly restored with correct tan fabric upholstery and correct finishes on the dash and window surrounds. The wonderful square-shaped instruments are a highlight in the woodgrain fascia. An ultra-rare and very desirable genuine Airflow banjo steering wheel features prominently in the cabin, with other period accessories including a radio, a heater and a Trico defroster fan, fully restored to original specification.
Beneath the hood rests the robust L-head Imperial Eight engine, in a finely detailed compartment. The engine is topped with a very rare and correct Airflow-specific alloy cylinder head and a full set of new-old-stock Champion H10 spark plugs as would have been fitted when new. Great care and pride were taken to ensure the car was restored to factory specifications both cosmetically and mechanically.
Restored to award-winning standards and well-maintained in the ensuing years by enthusiastic collectors, it would be difficult to locate a finer example of Chrysler's highly advanced and groundbreaking Airflow, particularly in such rare and luxurious C-10 Imperial specification.
