1935 Chrysler Airflow

1935 Chrysler Airflow Imperial C-2 – Rare Art-Deco Streamlined Sedan with Documented History

Registration: WXS 737
VIN / Chassis: 7014871
Engine Number: C2-3028
Body Number: C2S-3438

Few automobiles of the pre-war era were as technically advanced or historically significant as the Chrysler Airflow. Produced between 1934 and 1937, the Airflow was among the first production automobiles developed using wind-tunnel testing and aerodynamic principles.

Designed by Chrysler engineers Carl Breer, Fred Zeder and Owen Skelton, the Airflow introduced revolutionary engineering features including an all-steel body construction, improved weight distribution, and a streamlined profile that dramatically reduced aerodynamic drag.

Although its futuristic styling divided opinion when new, the Airflow is now widely recognised as one of the most important and influential automobiles of the 1930s.

The example offered here is a 1935 Chrysler Airflow Imperial Series C-2 four-door saloon, powered by Chrysler's smooth 323.5 cubic-inch straight-eight engine.

For the 1935 model year Chrysler produced approximately 7,751 Airflows across all models, with just 2,598 examples built in the Imperial C-2 series, of which 2,398 were four-door sedans.

With relatively few surviving today, the Airflow is regarded as a rare and highly collectible pre-war American automobile.

Provenance and Ownership History

According to accompanying documentation, this Airflow has a fascinating and well-documented history.

The car was originally sold in 1935 by a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership owned by F. Harold Sayre. It remained with its first owner until 1956, when it was traded back to the dealership as part of the purchase of a new 1956 Chrysler New Yorker.

Following the trade-in, the Sayre family placed the Airflow into long-term garage storage, preserving the car carefully on blocks.

In 1970, the vehicle was given to Don Sayre and his brother, and it remained garaged for many years thereafter.

During its later life the car benefited from mechanical work including:

Rebuild of the straight-eight engine

New brakes

New tyres

Replacement glass

Replacement fuel tank

General servicing and maintenance

After decades of preservation in the United States, the car was purchased by a UK classic car collector and imported into the United Kingdom in May 2024.

It is now being offered for sale, presenting collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire an important example of Chrysler's ground-breaking Airflow design.

Factory Identification Plate

The vehicle retains its original Chrysler Corporation identification plate, mounted in the engine bay, confirming its factory specification.

Decoded details include:

Body Number: C2S-3438
Identifies the car as a 1935 Chrysler Imperial Airflow C-2 Sedan body

Paint Code: 108 DG
Factory Black Dulux enamel finish

Trim Code: 529
Original Chrysler interior trim specification

Job Number: 73-46
Chrysler internal production reference

The presence of the original factory data plate helps confirm the car's authenticity and original specification.

Importantly, the vehicle remains finished in its correct factory colour of black, as indicated by the original paint code on the identification plate.

Condition

This Airflow presents extremely well and has clearly been carefully maintained.

The car is described as:

Rust-free

Finished in excellent gloss black paint

New period-correct interior upholstery

Brightwork and trim in good condition

Correct wide whitewall tyres

Excellent panel alignment and body lines

The interior has been newly upholstered in a period-correct style, complementing the original Art-Deco dashboard and instrumentation.

Mechanically the vehicle performs very well. The car starts easily and runs smoothly, with the straight-eight engine running whisper smooth, as expected from Chrysler's advanced engineering.

The car moves easily through the gears, delivering a refined driving experience typical of luxury American automobiles of the era.

Externally the car has a striking visual presence. The deep black paintwork, sweeping fenders, integrated headlights and distinctive rear-mounted spare wheel highlight the dramatic Art-Deco styling that made the Airflow famous.

Nearly ninety years after its introduction, the Airflow still commands an unmistakable imposing road presence.

Highlights

Rare 1935 Chrysler Airflow Imperial C-2

Only 2,398 four-door sedans produced

Chrysler 323.5ci straight-eight engine

Original Chrysler factory identification plate

Finished in correct factory colour – Black (Paint Code 108)

Documented ownership history

Long-term garage storage history

Rust-free example

Excellent paintwork

New period-correct interior upholstery

Runs and drives well

Whisper-smooth straight-eight engine

Imported to the UK in May 2024

Striking Art-Deco aerodynamic design

Market Guide

Comparable Chrysler Airflow sales have ranged from approximately $23,000 for project vehicles to over $160,000 for rare coupe models, with well-presented four-door sedans typically achieving $60,000–$70,000 at auction.