![]() ![]() When production problems delayed the rollout to dealer showrooms, and as customers ultimately rejected the controversial AIrflow styling theme, DeSoto had nothing to fall back on. ![]() While Chrysler continued to offer a conventional model, DeSoto’s 1934 product line consisted only of Airflows. Where the DeSoto Airflow departed from the senior Chrysler in a critically strategic way was that there was no plan B. The DeSoto AIrflow was every bit as advanced as its Chrysler sibling. ![]() And there was a 241.5 CID straight six with an even 100 hp under the sloping hood instead of the Chrysler’s more imposing L-head straight eights. Where they differed: The DeSoto’s wheelbase was a modest 115.5 inches in length, eight inches shorter than its big sister, which made the aerodynamic shape look even more polarizing to car buyers, if anything. (See our look at the Airflow’s engineering here.) WIth the rebranding, DeSoto’s market identity was now starting to appear a bit fuzzy, an issue that would shadow the division for the next 27 years.Īs the junior brand in the Airflow family, DeSoto employed the very same forward-looking design elements as Chrysler: steel-reinforced body semi-unitized body/frame construction engine relocated well forward in the chassis to allow the rear passengers to be seated within the wheelbase rather than over the rear axle. There it was decided that DeSoto would be moved two slots upmarket, above Dodge and below Chrysler, and share the radical Airflow design. ![]() (See our feature on the birth of DeSoto here.) Handsome, popularly priced, and sharing many Plymouth components to pare costs, the DeSoto did remarkably well in its mid-range role, racking up 80,000 sales the first year.īut then Chrysler reshuffled the deck as the revolutionary Chrysler Airflow was under development for its 1934 introduction. Launched by Chrysler in summer of 1928 almost simultaneously with the introduction of Plymouth and the corporation’s purchase of Dodge Brothers as well, it was originally slotted into the product line below Dodge and above Plymouth on the price ladder. If ever there was a star-crossed American car make from a major producer, it was DeSoto. And it wasn’t what the American car-buying public wanted. Privacy Policy.The 1934-36 Desoto Aiflow was an advanced, well-built, soundly engineered automobile. Under which this service is provided to you. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018Ĭable News Network. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. ![]()
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