Ilya,

Fantastic score! You don't find many originals in that good of shape any more.

I'm thinking stone stock but with a hemi and nice wheels...

Seriously though, it deserves a restoration.

 

CONGRADULATIONS YOU'VE WON THIS SWEET NEW RIDE!!!!!! ok alittle over the top but that car is SWEET!!!. You gonna start runnin' moonshine now? what are your plans for it? Resto?

 

Sweet ride!!!! congrats!!! you gonna start runnin' moonshine now? or maybe even start a gang? haha jk but great looking car!!!!

 

I think in your place, I would just clean it up and make it a weekend driver. They are so rare that the 'WOW' factor is there without pouring in all the money a restoration would cost.

 

Looking real Good Ilya. Where are you going to park it? I could take it off your hands as I know how limited you are in space, I know you will find a place for it though.
Don

 

that is one nice find for sure, i hope you have a lot of fun with it.....i know im sure jealous

 

I just spoke with a guy that specializes in making these run. He works on his ranch and has about seven of these that are his own. He gave me a $750-1000 estimate to make this car roadworthy again.

I'm thinking about giving it to him to do, because I'll never get around to it and it would cost me more in time and money in trying to locate all the necessary parts and doing it myself. He can have her back on the road in less than a month. If it was a Ford truck, then at least I'd have some sort of a clue.

I plan to make it roadworthy, then change out all of the upholstery to get rid off the mice mess and smell. However, when I have the upholstery redone, I'd like to use a similar material, but would like to replicate the wear and tear that this car would have over its 70 years of use. Lastly, I'd like to add some seatbelts so that the whole family can ride in it safely.

Then, I plan to drive it as is whenever I can. I think that it'll attract more attention being the way it is. It's a survivor.

I'll leave the restoration to the next owner.

Don, you're right, I don't have any room to store it, but my friend has a large body shop and has already offered to store it inside. It'll be a good attraction for customers.

However, I made my wife a promise that our 52 Panel will run before I do any work to the Airflow. Next week, I plan to move the 52 to my friend's mechanic shop (same person that owns the body shop) to have the engine installed and trouble shot so that it's ready for me to run. I hope to have it running by the Good Guys show at the end of March. Perhaps the Airflow will be running by the June Good Guys show.

Ilya

 

I'd do exactly what you're talking about with it. My parents have my grandfather's 1931 Model A Tudor, and it was painted and reupholstered back in the 50s. Dad did a mechanical restoration on it, and left the rest of it as-is, right down to the factory headliner. Most people pay it more attention at shows than the ones that have been restored. The paint is nicely aged black, unfortunately the interior was changed over to green, and it's striped!

 

There is the Walter P. Chrysler (WPC) Club, and an Airflow Club, with a local Los Angeles chapter. I know several guys who specialize in the repair and maintenance. If you get stuck, email me and I'll pass along a phone number. One of the guys has a 1934 DeSoto, his daily driver for over 20 years is an original unmolested '54 F100, so you can see he's sick!


LeBaron Bonney once had upholstery kits for Airflows.

From the 1920's, CA changed license plates every year till 1942, which used 1941 plates with a metal tag. After WWII, there were several plates changes 1945/50; 1951/55. The plates changed shape in 1956, to what is currently the size today. The 1956 (yellow with black letters) plates ran thru 1962, then 1963 to 1970 (black with yellow letters).

 

That's one fine ride you should be very proud. I know I sure would... RUSTY

 

thats a nice car

 

Just an update for any one that is interested.

A little more than a week ago I transported the Airflow to a "restorer" who specializes in mechanical restorations on Airflows. He has seven of his own, including a completely restored 37 like mine and two (of eight in existance) 37 Ariflow limos that he's currently restoring (one is a parts car).

He called me today and told me that he got the engine to run and it's a very strong engine. It doesn't smoke or knock. He'll do the brakes next. Then will check the wiring and suspension.

I should have it back in time, hopefully, to drive it to the Good Guys car show at the end of March.

I still haven't done anything with my Panel. Now, it probably won't be until April until I can get around to it.

Next update, likely, will be when I get to drive it.

Ilya

 

What a great story! The "restorer" sounds very reasonable -- another good find. Keep us posted.

 

That auto is way cool,I know you're gonna have big fun profiling it.

-Shawn

 

Ilya, I guess the wife is happy that you are getting the Airflow running.
I can still offer a good place to store it for you, and take it for Sunday drives during the summer months. You know just to make sure that it is getting proper lubrication.
Seriously though I am glad that you are getting it running. Now you just have to find time for the panel.
Don