Manufacturer Chrysler Layout FR | Model years 1935-1936 Transmission 3-speed manual | |
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Related Engine 93 hp (69 kW) six-cylinder, L-head engine; 273.8CID L-head 105hp inline 8 engine | ||
The Chrysler Airstream was an automobile produced by Chrysler in 1935 and 1936. The Airstream was a conventional looking automobile that was trimmed to evoke a feeling of streamlined design, and was a smaller luxury car to the larger Imperial. A similar car, with the same Airstream name was also sold by Chrysler's companion brand DeSoto during the period.
The creation of the Airstream was an outgrowth of the unpopularity of the streamlined Chrysler Airflow, which consumers failed to embrace. The Airstream was based on the 1933 Chrysler "CO" model, which was carried over into the 1934 model year as the Chrysler "CA". When the Airflow failed to capture the attention of the buying public, Chrysler retrimmed the "CA", gave the car rear fender skirts, and rolled out a model that they hoped would appeal to Depression-era buyers. By marketing the Airstream alongside the Airflow, Chrysler could meet the needs of the public while hoping to produce enough Airflows to offset their development.
During its two years of production, the Airstream outsold the Airflow five to one in its first year, and nearly nine to one in 1936.
Chrysler discontinued the "Airstream" model name for both Chrysler and DeSoto at the beginning of the 1937 model year.