1936 DeSoto Airflow Sedan

Up for auction is a very rare car; a 1936 Desoto Airflow S2 Sedan that is 95% complete. an excellent restoration project that has already begun with many (if not most) items already chromed. many NOS parts and an extra engine included with the sale.   There has been $2K spent on just chrome for about 20 items alone!

UPDATE:  I have had a few requests for a 'walk around' video of this 1936 S2 sedan (see above).   I have now added that and it also includes a short segment of my other 1936 S2 sedan fully restored. These cars are in the Penta Motorsports collection (the restored S2 is NFS). Just click on the link above.

If you've been looking for one of these iconic Airflow cars. you know how rare these are. And they do not come up very often. The 1936 S2 sedan was the last of the Desoto Airflow produced and is generally regarded to be the best looking and driving one of the entire Airflow line. NOTE: the Desoto line pioneered the Airflow concept. and the Chrysler Airflow was an after thought of Walter Chrysler after he drove the Desoto prototype. he wanted one of these 'Airlfows' in the Chrysler lineup! But the Chrysler was larger with an 8 cyl engine and longer wheel base. so they did not handle nearly as well as the spry Desoto.  

The Desoto (6 cyl) Airflow cars (1934-1936 only) were truly revolutionary groundbreaking cars. Credited with the introduction of many major technical advancements in automotive design. including; 1)  the first car designed in a wind tunnel to improve drag and increase land speed without adding horsepower. 2) the first car that moved the engine forward over the front axle so in turn moving passenger seats forward so riders would ride 'between the wheels' for a smoother ride without the 'buckboard' affect for the rear seat passengers. 3) the first car that incorporated the headlamps into the body of the car (instead of cans attached to the fenders). and perhaps the most significant. 4)  this was the world's first 'uni-body' design car. the passengers rode 'inside the frame' which greatly improved survival in case of a crash. All these above features. common to automobiles ever since and all cars made today. were pioneered by the Desoto Airflow in 1934.  

1936 was the final year for this amazing car and saw styling improvements including it's beautiful waterfall grill and flying lady mascot. so the 1936 Desoto is widely considered the most beautiful of the Airflow line.

NOTE: The first Toyota car introduced in 1936 is a near replica of the Desoto airflow sedan. and both cars adorn the entrance to the Toyota historical museum. And we know how well that Japanese copy turned out! (see last picture frame here)

This Airflow 1936 S2 Sedan has some minor rust in the usual places; rear truck area. edges of lower fenders. but overall it is a 95% complete and 95% solid car with all of it's original drive train  currently out of the car (that is why it sits a bit high in the photographs).   This car comes with an extra block as well. Some parts are already restored or rechromed such as both the front and rear bumpers. bumper vertical guards. bumper and other emblem parts. etc. There is also a NOS clutch. and the radiator has been refurbished. It also has a complete rubber seal set for all the window and door rubber parts which are still sealed in their plastic bags. so the restoration is well on it's way. Now it's body. paint and 'some assembly required'!

This S2 Sedan also has the rare option of an electric clock built into the right glove box door (the S2 came with TWO glove boxes!). and also has both of it's fender skirt w/ unique emblems (one skirt emblem needs a minor repair. the other is perfect).

Most importantly. it has it's original iconic grill and flying lady mascot in tact with just minor pitting and no 'broken bones'. and easy resto so this car can be restored to show quality.

The Airflow Club of America is an excellent club for supporting your restoration and has re manufactured many of the rare items needed for restoration.

We can arrange free delivery within the So Cal area. or we can help to arrange export transportation for you.   Note. we have also listed a 1935 Desoto SG coupe (w/ PENDING SALE). in similar very restore-able condition in a separate auction.

Please see attached photos for details. and please ask us if you'd like to see more before placing your bid. This car is available for inspection at our Woodland Hills restoration shop during normal business hours. appointments on weekend possible.   We can also offer full restoration services for this S2 car in case you do not want to do this yourself.   We have recently completed a frame off restoration of another award winning 1936 S2 sedan and can send you pictures in case you'd like to see the quality of our work.

NOTE: If you desire to buy the car to build a modern 'ICON' style car w/ modern drive train and suspension. we are open to selling the car 'sans mechanics'.   Naturally we'd rather see this original restoration completed. but we can redistribute the unwanted mechanical parts thru the Airflow club. Airflow parts are extremely hard to find today.  

Want to buy this car?