1937 Chrysler Airflow Series C-17

West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional example of this very rare and collectible frame off restored 1937 Chrysler C17 Airflow 8 Coupe, the last year and top-of-the-line most expensive model of the Airflows!CCCA Full ClassicWhen introduced in 1934 the Chysler Airflow as the most advanced American automobile ever produced.Today widely hailed as a masterpiece of Art Deco design and modern engineering.Rare last year and most desirable C-17 chassis Coupe model.These Chrysler Airflows cars were produced between 1934 and 1937. From 1934 to 1936, the wheelbase was 123" on these Chrysler 8-cylinder models, both 4-door sedans and 2-door coupes and for 1936 the 123 wheelbase Chrysler Airflow model was designated the C9 and the final models built in the last year of production in 1937 had a 140" wheelbase for sedans and 128" for the Coupe and were designated the C17. The front end was also highly modified in '37 with an extended prow along with the extended wheelbase. These models cost some 2-3 x as much as Chrysler's conventional models making them instantly exclusive. These are incredibly rare art deco masterpieces which set both land speed records as well as being remarkable as engineering pioneers. They were the first production cars to locate the engine above the front axle (instead of behind it) and to improve ride quality the Airflow design moved the passenger compartment "cab forward" to the middle of the car's body.By 1937, being last year of the Airflows these were to prove to be the most refined and today the most collectible by far. This example, the most desirable C-17 Eight Coupe is a full classic with the Classic Car Of America which would be eligible for all the major concours events.Of 230 Coupes reportedly built, about 5% of the total C-17 Eights built; very few are known to still exist today.The 323.5 cubic inch straight 8 is factory-correct and newly reconditioned matched to the 3 speed freewheeling Borg Warner centrifugal overdrive transmission. With over 138 HP and factory 3-speed/overdrive transmission, this C-17 coupe is capable of modern traffic speeds, easily cruising at 70+ mph.  The coupe has been tested with a little more than 600 miles of driving in both stop-and-go and highway-speed traffic, and stops like a modern car with its power brakes.The frame was reconditioned when the body was removed, and all the body-to-frame connections are intact. The coupe is built using only original Chrysler hardware (screws, washers, nuts and bolts stamped with the familiar MoPar logo DCDP which stands for Dodge/Chrysler/DeSoto/Plymouth).Some major details of the restoration:Body:  Lead removed, painted original Gun Metal Gray with English Coach Vermillion trimFrame:  Media blasted, painted original satin blackUpholstery:  By copying an unrestored car, done to exact factory pattern by a renowned expertUpholstery material:  Correct broadcloth material, supplied by LeBaron BonneyCarpets:  Correct horsehairSteering Wheel and Shift Knob:  Correct knob and rare banjo style wheel meticulously restoredRadiator:  Rebuilt, with a new coreEngine:  Rebuilt, with restored water and fuel pumps, starter, distributor, etc., with NOS oil filterCylinder head:  Reconditioned cast iron, extremely rare and factory-correct, C17 raised lettersCarburetor:  Rebuilt 1-barrel, rare Stromberg EX-32, with correct barrel-style electric chokeTransmission:  RebuiltOverdrive unit:  RebuiltBraking system:  Rebuilt, with vacuum-assisted power boosterDifferential:  RebuiltMotor mounts:  RebuiltShocks:  RebuiltInstruments:  Rebuilt, calibrated and functioning correctlyChrome:  Restored to new condition and correctly pinstripedStainless:  Restored to new condition and correctly pinstripedGlass:  New, with new gaskets throughoutWiper motors:  Rebuilt and functioningWiring:  New Wheels:  Restored, checked for true and pinstriped to factory designTires:  Correct 7.00x16 black wall Coker Classic Radials, with Coker tubes