West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional example of this very rare and collectible frame off restored 1936 Chrysler C9 Airflow 8 Coupe. These Chrysler Airflows cars were produced between 1934 and 1937. From 1934 to 1936, there were 123 wheelbase 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. Most of the C9 cars were 4-door sedans with only 94 coupes were built.
Reportedly only six C9 coupes are known to exist today.
This C9 coupe was built on February 21, 1936, and shipped to San Francisco dealer J. W. McAlister on February 28, 1936.
This is a California car, purchased in 2006 from a Los Angeles Airflow Club member who had owned it since 1969.
The car will be sold with the Daimler Chrysler Corporation photocopy of the build card and a build record certificate. It is serial # 6607251 and was born with a 'Stone Beige' color with 'English Coach Vermilion' stripe as presented today. It was built in Detroit on 2/21/1936 and originally shipped on 2/28/1936 to the selling dealer 'J W Mc Aliister' of San Francisco. The body was made by 'Kercheval' and the gear ratio 4.33 to 1.
The present replacement 323.5 cubic inch straight 8 is a factory-correct C9 marked block, newly reconditioned, with all-new NOS internal parts. It was rebuilt by renowned Airflow expert Phil Putnam. The engine number is on the front of the block, above the rebuilt water pump. The 123 wb Airflow cars came with a standard cast-iron cylinder head, which this car has, with the correct C9 marking.
With 115 HP and factory 3-speed/overdrive transmission, this C9 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.
A renowned Airflow expert, Phil Putnam of Orland, CA, restored this C9 coupe to the highest standard. He has restored at least fifteen of these rare cars in the last 20 years. This C9 coupe had a body-off restoration to new condition, using reconditioned or NOS parts.
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 build Stone Beige with English Coach Vermillion trim
Frame: Media blasted, painted original satin black
Upholstery: By copying an unrestored car, done to exact factory pattern by a renowned expert
Upholstery material: Correct broadcloth material, supplied by LeBaron Bonney
Carpets: Correct horsehair
Steering Wheel and Shift Knob: Correct knob and rare banjo style wheel meticulously restored
Radiator: Rebuilt, with a new core
Engine: Rebuilt, with restored water and fuel pumps, starter, distributor, etc., with NOS oil filter
Cylinder head: Reconditioned cast iron, extremely rare and factory-correct, C9 raised letters
Carburetor: Rebuilt 1-barrel, rare Stromberg EX-32, with correct barrel-style electric choke
Transmission: Rebuilt
Overdrive unit: Rebuilt
Braking system: Rebuilt, with vacuum-assisted power booster
Differential: Rebuilt
Motor mounts: Rebuilt
Shocks: Rebuilt
Instruments: Rebuilt, calibrated and functioning correctly
Chrome: Restored to new condition and correctly pinstriped
Stainless: Restored to new condition and correctly pinstriped
Glass: New, with new gaskets throughout
Wiper motors: Rebuilt and functioning
Wiring: New
Wheels: Restored, checked for true and pinstriped to factory design
Tires: Correct 7.00x16 black wall Coker Classic Radials, with Coker tubes
