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For Sale: 1936 Desoto Airstream sedan - $11,000 - Massillon, OH - Not Mine -SOLD!


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56 minutes ago, 58L-Y8 said:

Greetings DecoDog!   

 

Congratulations!  Its always gratifying to hear about cars we've featured on here that have found new, enthusiastic, appreciative owners.   Your 1936 DeSoto Airstream has more great Art Deco details and features than most any other car then, its line-mate Airflow does as well.  Ray Dietrich, the famous designer/custom coach-builder, was when your car was styled leading the Chrysler Art & Color Styling Department, certainly had a great deal to do with your DeSoto's design.   Best of luck with your new acquisition and please keep us apprised of your progress and experiences with it.  Let the DeSoto adventures begin!

 

Steve


Well golly! Thanks a ton for the warm welcome and giving me some info to chew on in regards to Ray Dietrich, surprisingly hadn’t heard the name before but on a cursory google I’m astounded at how prolific he was in automotive design. 
 

It’s funny, I have told everyone who has stopped to chat about my new auto that it’s a “Art Deco sculpture that happens to double as a car!” And that’s definitely the case!

 

Will be sure to post photos as I bring the car back up to a more presentable condition, the interior is original but definitely tired, so that’s where I’ll be starting (and probably consulting some folks on these forums for pointers!)
 

So excited to begin my antique car journey, heck even sitting in the backseat and listening to period music or reading fills my cup. 


Thanks again! 
 

-Taylor

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2 hours ago, DecoDog said:

Will be sure to post photos as I bring the car back up to a more presentable condition, the interior is original but definitely tired, so that’s where I’ll be starting (and probably consulting some folks on these forums for pointers!)...
--Taylor

 

Congratulations on the new old car, Taylor.

I thought the color was attractive and unusual,

as well.  It's nice to have cars that are a bit out of

the ordinary, and on-lookers will appreciate seeing

yours at shows.

 

Don't jump into replacing the interior.

If that is the original interior, it is desirable even if it

is worn.  People today appreciate seeing the details

and workmanship of Chrysler Corporation in 1936, 

more than Joe's Upholstery shop in 2021.

 

And any replacement interior must be done in exactly

the same cloth and pattern, or a car owner is spending

money to actually DETRACT from the value of his car.

I've seen many cars of that era with the pleats and padding

too flat, because the shop was accustomed to doing 1960's

cars and didn't know differently.  One expert told me that

to redo a large 1933 Buick's seats, door panels, and headliner

properly (maybe more complicated than yours) would be

$5000 for materials and $20,000 in total cost.  Taking

short-cuts as some prior owner did was obvious.

 

So enjoy what you have.  Make sure it runs and operates well,

and go out for some drives, and make some memories with

friends and family!

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2 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

Congratulations on the new old car, Taylor.

I thought the color was attractive and unusual,

as well.  It's nice to have cars that are a bit out of

the ordinary, and on-lookers will appreciate seeing

yours at shows.

 

Don't jump into replacing the interior.

If that is the original interior, it is desirable even if it

is worn.  People today appreciate seeing the details

and workmanship of Chrysler Corporation in 1936, 

more than Joe's Upholstery shop in 2021.

 

And any replacement interior must be done in exactly

the same cloth and pattern, or a car owner is spending

money to actually DETRACT from the value of his car.

I've seen many cars of that era with the pleats and padding

too flat, because the shop was accustomed to doing 1960's

cars and didn't know differently.  One expert told me that

to redo a large 1933 Buick's seats, door panels, and headliner

properly (maybe more complicated than yours) would be

$5000 for materials and $20,000 in total cost.  Taking

short-cuts as some prior owner did was obvious.

 

So enjoy what you have.  Make sure it runs and operates well,

and go out for some drives, and make some memories with

friends and family!

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

I definitely don’t want to have any of the interior replaced, the actual bench seats, door panels, ceiling etc are all there, just missing some fabric buttons, escutcheons, and there are a couple tears that need careful mending. The most glaring missing area are the posts between the doors, which are entirely missing any sort of finishing. It seems what used to be there was constructed of a heavy cardboard, likely wrapped with fabric or even just painted. Will be doing ample research before I touch anything in a way that would be permanent. A lot of smoke stains, but the seats are in surprisingly good condition and seem rather untouched. 
 

There is something thrilling about seeing the same fabrics, Bakelite, and wood-effect metal as one would’ve on their daily commute circa 1936! 
 

-Taylor

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Taylor:

 

John gives good advice, original upholstery that is still serviceable if tired is preferred to modern replacement especially if the new fabric used is anything but an exact reproduction of the original in color, detail and texture.   Worst offenders are the synthetic mohairs and broadcloths which I've described as 'polyester mouse fur'.    Modern velour and 'endangered' nauga-hyde are even worse!  Your careful approach is best.  

 

Making sure its safe, reliable and dependable first so you can use the car at will with your family and friends will give far more satisfaction, enjoyment and memorable experiences than any new upholstery will.  Good luck with your new, old Deco DeSoto!

 

Steve

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Did you know, Taylor, that there is a National DeSoto Club?

They have about 1000 members nationwide, they say,

and produce a magazine 6 times a year.  There almost

certainly wouldn't be a chapter near you, but they put on

a national meet (show) that probably varies in location.

In addition, they have technical advisors for various years

of DeSoto, who will be a big help if you ever have questions.

 

https://desoto.org/

 

And the AACA has "regions" (local groups) fairly close to you.

Joining the national AACA, and then one or more of its regions,

means you will have plenty of local activities to enjoy, and meet

fellow antique-car owners near you.  Local participation has

greatly enhanced my enjoyment of antique cars.

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27 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

Did you know, Taylor, that there is a National DeSoto Club?

They have about 1000 members nationwide, they say,

and produce a magazine 6 times a year.  There almost

certainly wouldn't be a chapter near you, but they put on

a national meet (show) that probably varies in location.

In addition, they have technical advisors for various years

of DeSoto, who will be a big help if you ever have questions.

 

https://desoto.org/

 

And the AACA has "regions" (local groups) fairly close to you.

Joining the national AACA, and then one or more of its regions,

means you will have plenty of local activities to enjoy, and meet

fellow antique-car owners near you.  Local participation has

greatly enhanced my enjoyment of antique cars.

Wow! What a great resource, I’ll be certain to check it out and introduce myself! It seems that DeSotos, especially those pre-1940 are rather uncommon, so finding some folks with experience and expertise would be really valuable. Definitely more than google could provide! 
 

appreciate the tip! 
 

 

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It sounds as though the car has found the right home! Welcome to the affliction! Really, antique automobiles are one of the best hobbies in the world. They can connect their caretakers to history (personal as well as general) better than almost any other one thing. You will get an appreciation for how your ancestors lived, as well as for the wonderous conveniences available today.

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Here are some succinct historical facts since the new buyer

is entering this hobby for the first time:

 

Chrysler Corporation was founded by Walter P. Chrysler around 1924.

The famous Chrysler Building in New York City was built by him.

The Chrysler Corporation was successful from the start.  It was known

     for innovation and engineering expertise.  The first car bearing

     Chrysler's name was made for the 1924 model year.  It was among

     the first to have hydraulic brakes instead of mechanical brakes.

The company started adding car makes:  bought Dodge, formed 

     Plymouth, formed DeSoto.

The Chrysler Airflow and DeSoto Airflow debuted in 1934.  They were

     advanced and very streamlined for their times, but their vastly new

     looks were rejected by the public.  They sold poorly then (but now are

     highly respected), so the company became very cautious, even dowdy,

     in their styling for 2 decades thereafter.  But they were still well-reputed

     for their engineering.

In the early 1950's, the Chrysler Corp. cars, though conservative, were among

     the most reliable cars rated by Consumer Reports.

Now-famous designer Virgil Exner brought life into Chrysler Corporation

     cars beginning with the 1955 model year.  They were beautiful.

     For 1957, his soaring tailfins were far in advance of other carmakers' designs

     and wowed even the competition, who tried to catch up.  The dowdy laggard

     had become the styling leader in just a few years!

The 1957 Chrysler Corp. cars were brought to market probably a year too soon,

     so they had more problems than owners were accustomed to.  They also

     rusted badly.  The company began to lose its sound reputation.

Exner's designs got more and more extreme.  Some of his proposed designs

     were even bizarre.  He was removed from styling around 1962.

     The fins were dropped for 1962, and Chrysler worked to restore its reputation.

 

A very interesting book on the subject is Chrysler & Imperial 1946-1975

by Richard Langworth.  It doesn't deal with DeSoto specifically, but DeSoto

was a part of the same company trends.

 

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1 minute ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

From dowdy to daring:

These pictures show the huge changes in styling

in just a few short years.  The first is a 1951 or 1952 DeSoto,

the second is 1955, the third is 1957.  What a difference from

today, when a 2015 car may look just like the 2021!

desoto.jpg

1955 DESOTO FIREFLITE SPORTSMAN 2 DOOR HARDTOP

134995 / 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman - YouTube

How interesting! I had heard of DeSoto’s failings with marketing the Airflow for a while, in fact, some ads in a 1935 edition of Fortune Magazine that I own seems to hint at the desperation to sell the things. It is interesting to consider aesthetic values when bringing to market what is intended to be a major product. We can look back on it today and commend the high style without being turned away by what would’ve been extremely “futuristic” styling. 
 

I have noticed the conservative/modest trend in DeSoto, heck even their 1937 model feels distinctly simpler than the Airstream. I hadn’t considered that this would’ve been a result of their market failings. 
 

your photo examples definitely show the rise in confidence! The 1957 looks like a artists rendering of a bold new idea, with the 55 appearing to be the palatable presentation of that design. So neat that it’s actually the other way around. Innovation is, after all, the willingness to take risks, and I’m sure we can say as automotive enthusiasts that those risks helped move style and technology forward. 
 

I suppose that’s why cars really encapsulate the best in art and technology, no where else is there such a rapid and future focused development of such a major product, with many competitors looking to outdo eachother and provide the most incredible product to the market. 

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If you search Google Images for "1961 DeSoto,"

you'll see designer Virgil Exner's really odd grille.

Here's a previous forum discussion on the

later time when his designs became atrociously bizarre. 

I'd like to remember him for his excellent designs,

and forget the later ones!  These asymmetrical cars

were proposed, but never produced;  but why consider them

sufficiently to build full-scale models?  They're actually hard to 

view without cringing!

 

 

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Hi Taylor

 

The more you learn about your car and its background history, the more you'll appreciate it.   You'll want to sign onto this AACA Forum that is specifically for Chrysler and DeSoto Airstream models:

Chrysler & DeSoto Airstream - Antique Automobile Club of America - Discussion Forums (aaca.org)

A good deal was shared between those models, much of the technical information and tips will apply to your car too.,

 

Steve

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