Turbulant Airflow

Extreme body styling sometimes backfires when the buying public isn’t ready for it. This 1937 DeSoto Series S-3 was built one year after the DeSoto Airflow / Airstream sales disaster and helped restore profits. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be ahead of the curve. Steve explains why.

[@charlesdalton985]

I know I’m in the minority (then and now) but I like the styling and the engineering. The lack of acceptance at the time reminds my of how Franklin had to add a fake radiator shell to its air cooled cars because people didn’t understand the lack of need. Thanks as always - Chuck

[@stevehenderson2571]

How does this guy contain so much info … and I can’t remember what I ate for my last meal. We’ve got your back Steve. We really do. 🙏🏻

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Back in those days. Headlights were more to let others know you were coming than to light the way. The lighting wasn't powerful enough to shine very far or bright

[@tmc9525]

Now headlights blind oncoming cars

[@southerncross3638]

I'm 67 and back in the day if your lights were too bright you'd get a ticket, nowadays anything goes.

[@davemckolanis4683]

@@tmc9525 Some States STILL HAVE Headlight Brightness Limitations. But Lately The BLUE ULTRA BRIGHT Headlights Are IGNORED By Both The States AND The Manufacturers. If A Person Needs THAT BRIGHT Of Headlights To Drive At Night, They SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING AT ALL In The First Place...

[@kenttalsma7906]

Steve did an episode where a late 50s(?) MOPAR(?) came equipped with 2 Headlights, while waiting for approval from the powers that be for 4 headlights. DeSoto maybe? Tomorrow's episode answered my question on the MOPAR headlights. My point is, where were those powers that be when these new headlights were implemented? I'll tell you where they were. 6 feet under. That's right, dead and buried. I hate when those MFs (sorry reader, if you think I'm talking about you I'm not) come up behind you in the dark and just hang there with those god damn lights in your outside rear view. When, what presidential administration did this occur under? I mean, when were they implemented?

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

And blue fog lights and have even seen red ones no tickets issued in NYC 😮

[@tomwesley7884]

People have a hard time accepting drastic change, even if the change is for the best. Change seems to be more accepted in small increments. I remember this video being uploaded the FIRST time, it was cut short due to some glitch. How beautiful this DeSoto must have been wearing the original paint and upholstered interior.

[@TheGnewb]

This was decently stated and entertainingly educational. Thanks Steve.

[@alanblanes2876]

I find these encounters with automotive history far more satisfying than the tediously repetitive emphasis on drag racing, burnouts and donuts that has taken over Motor Trend Television programs. Bring back Junkyard Gold!

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

Good morning everyone 🇺🇸

[@robertbeckler5058]

Yes it is

[@vertablue3803]

Morning🇨🇦

[@deanstevenson6527]

It's morning now...I had to wait a couple of hours.. Sunday here! 🇳🇿✓. Gidday America 🗽and 🍁, 👋🌊〰️

[@GuitarMan22]

Good morning👍

[@deanstevenson6527]

@@GuitarMan22 🎶🎸🎶

[@vettekid3326]

Back in 1973 when Peterson's complete book of Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler came out when I was a senior in high school they had an article on the Airflow. I had never seen one at that time even though I was a car nut so I asked my dad about them. He kinda laughed and said people at that time either loved or hated them because of the strange look they had compared to everything else. Funny though the 1948 Citroen 2CV looked remarkably like the Airflow with it's flush, vertical bar grill.

[@davidpoff7418]

I still have that book

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

Where have I seen this before? Hmmm?😂 All that air, flowing down the stream! I love this car! Put a blown 392 Hemi in it ,buff out that paint a little! Buff out those poverty caps get that spotlight fixed,so I can see to deliver my pizzas at night,put an eight track in her , with,Dr Hook playing, some velour seats bright red carpet! Patch up those tubes! What a ride!😂 Oh and new wiper blades you never know when you’re gonna be out delivering pizzas and it starts to rain! Great Video Steve! I learn something new every time I watch it!😊

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! 1. LOL ! 2. 392 Hemi 🤨🤨🧰🔧⚙️🛠️🔩🪛. Works for me !

[@jackmcfadden7673]

Great video Steve! I enjoyed this one especially because my Grandfather was a Plymouth/DeSoto dealer in Pennsylvania in the Thirties up to the beginning of WWII. He was a 'satellite' dealer (the main 'hub' dealer was in the city and there would be a handful of satellite dealers in the rural areas surrounding the city. My Dad and his brothers worked in the shop cleaning and detailing trade-ins and prepping the new cars that Pappy would buy as they were delivered by train in Cleveland and other places. Dad worked on quite a few of those Desoto's from that era.

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

My dad had a 59 Desoto, black with white interior, beautiful car

[@jaylestingi5418]

There is a video on IG, in which people have removed the spark plug leads and replaced them with long leaves from a succulent--it looks like an Aloe Vera plant. They punched the spark plug through the plant and did the same on the distributor end. So basically each cylinder has its own seperate "plant leaf lead" going from the distributor to the correct spark plug. The car is actually idling--albeit roughly, but it IS idling! I guess the moisture in the plant was enough to transmit the spark! You can also see the leaves actually "sparking" and lighting up as the cylinders are firing! Crazy stuff.

[@fishgeralding9224]

Good Saturday morning, ☕

[@FrankyRedEyes]

Automotive history is always entertaining to me. Thx Steve.

[@roberttroutman6780]

I think Chevrolet and Willys were the only two cars that didn’t have a split rear window in the thirties. Not only was it a styling trend, but a necessity due to the fact that curved automotive safety glass was not yet available.

[@mitchkelleher7972]

The split windows allowed the glass to be better formed to a curved exterior sheetmetal since curved glass was either not practical or possible for that application at that time. Same with split windshields. Post war, practical manufacturing of curved glass was figured out and designers went nuts with that capability.

[@davemckolanis4683]

@mitchkelleher7972 The Dual Small Back Windows WERE NOT CURVED, And Neither We're The Smaller Side Portal Windows On The Coupes Either. In Fact The One Piece Windshield's On That Car And On The Plymouths We're FLAT GLASS As Well. Because Many Of Them Would Still CRANK OUTWARD At The Bottom To Provide Cab Ventilation. Until They Were Replaced By The WIDER Split FLAT Glass Windshields In The Late 30's And Into The 40's. Curved Auto Glass Didn't Become More Common And Popular Until About A Decade Later In The Late 1940's With The New Post War Cars Around 1949.

[@mitchkelleher7972]

@@davemckolanis4683 No shit, that's what I wrote. They were split so they could match the curvature of the sheetmetal without being curved glass. Same with windshields, so they could be more aerodynamic than a single flat pane.

[@xlmi7021]

Cool car. Get well soon Mr. Steve! Love your entertaining encyclopedic automotive content.

[@charlesharnois3684]

Being A Chrysler Guy,I Always Enjoy Your Videos, I Have A Picture Of My Dad Standing Next To His Dad's 37' DeSoto, The Photo is Dated 1940! Thanks For Your Report!

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Like Jay Leno says. You can't sell something before its time. There have been a lot of good cars that were flops because they were too different from what everyone was used to

[@jaysmith179]

Just like EV cars that is being forced on us by the green folks. I will just have to keep my Honda Civic gas car.

[@Flussig1]

People are reluctant to change.

[@kenttalsma7906]

​​@@Flussig1the republican party in a nutshell. CHANGE?!? AHHHHH! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! Run for office. Which is exactly what some right wing nut jobs did here in Ottawa County Michigan. Ran for open county commissioner seats because they were butt hurt by the lockdown.🙄PS not going well for these losers. Lots of infighting and disharmony amongst the republican board members. Their "leader", the wannabe boss Joe Moss, feels he has to open carry a firearm to county board meetings.

[@kenttalsma7906]

Wasn't that a sales pitch from Gallo vintners, we shall sell no wine before its time?

[@loualiberti4781]

I was getting excited - I thought Steve was going to pull 500 hubcaps out from that trunk !!!

[@thegratefulEd]

Guess Steve is on vacation- can’t wait for him to be back.

[@giggiddy]

Steve was very sick. In fact, almost lost him. He's recovering and said he may be back soon.

[@robertcampbell9205]

As of a couple years ago there were two Airflows on Jacksboro Highway just north of Ft. Worth, TX. I’d never seen one before and initially thought they were European cars until I stopped to look at them. I hope they found good homes.

[@edwardpate6128]

Sadly the Walter P Chrysler museum a the Chrysler Tech center is long gone. The collection was put into storage, I believe at the old Viper plant.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon

[@saginaw60]

Old Mopars had that spark plug wire holder because of cables that were prone to cross fire when damp. That would prevent dammage to the engine.

[@kevinv2302]

Mr Cunningham drove a DeSoto... Richies dad on the TV show Happy Day's back in the 70's

[@DarkFlamage]

Another thing that backfires is when channels post old re-hash videos as if they are new. If there's no new video for today, that's fine. I can go to channel list & select what I want to see.

[@mc3lizard]

I'm glad you opened the trunk of this car. I didn't know the car was so pretty!

[@tomwesley7884]

My thoughts exactly, if that is the original paint, so pretty. Same with the upholstery.

[@davemckolanis4683]

@@tomwesley7884 Try Getting Off Of Your Computer And Out Of Your Lonely Room, And Visiting A REAL AUTO SHOW. Where Animals Haven't Eaten Up The Car Interiors And The Cars Are Loved And Cared For. They Look A WHOLE LOT BETTER Than Rusting Away JUNK In The Woods. Where You Can See DOZENS MORE In One Visit; Usually Have A Cold Drink And Some Pizza While Talking With The Owners That RESTORED Them, With LOTS MORE Information To Give You. And Can HEAR THEM Running Too...

[@clearviewtechnical]

7:24 That rope across back seat is NOT to hang on to. These heaters were so bad or non-existent that the rope was for hanging a blanket. And when the car got cold, back seat passengers would take it off the rope and put it across their laps.

[@jeffhill2089]

My favorite part was the baby plants in cylinder 3.

[@johnkranyics281]

Happy Saturday Everyone! 👍👍🇨🇦

[@redneck5356]

Desoto were a cool car. Had a 39 desoto for a few months 35 years ago. Flathead 6 3 on the tree. And a altimeter on the dashboard.

[@leebarker539]

Incredible information, Steve, as usual. "Taillift." Priceless. My dad was loyal to the Chrysler brand; I learned to drive a '49 DeSoto. And we had a '53 later. One trivial question: was the rope on the back of the front seat originally to hold a lap robe? I am unclear why I even thought of that possibility. Keep the Crawl rolling, Steve, we love it.

[@xqqqme]

You are correct about the lap robe (or blanket).

[@ericesterby2895]

The radio mounted to the DeSoto’s dash appears to be from a ‘46-‘48 Ford, with pieces missing.

[@johnathanashleyOCSO]

I always learn something from every video 😊 great work on these videos 😊

[@randyauer7303]

Another great video professor Steve you the man automotive genius thank you sir get well soon

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

Don't forget about the streetrod nationals next week in Louisville ky August 2 to the 6 2023. Luckily I live 30 minutes away and get to go all four days every year

[@stevehenderson2571]

Missing you buddy. Get well soon.

[@Wildman9]

Good morning to you and all. Nothing like Steve in the morning with my Joe!!!

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! ☕️☕️🍩🍩. Morning Mags ! They were not very good looking 👀 👀 !

[@tomwesley7884]

Morning

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@tomwesley7884 Mr. B. Here ! Good day Sir ! 👍😎🌭🌭🍺

[@michaelnazaruk4100]

Steve had a video about Studebakers recently, showing the "S" on the hubcap. It appears Desoto stole a bunch of Studebaker "S" hubcaps and stamped "Desoto" on them.

[@MH-rb7lp]

Thanks for the repeat performance..

[@damonbrenwald7658]

Love your videos Steve❤

[@mikeone9759]

Love my 6 o'clock wakeup.😊

[@mynameisspence]

My morning routine as well 😄

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve

[@thomasknox2325]

As always I enjoy your videos thanks

[@davidciesielski8251]

Thanks Steve

[@festerhairball6588]

Back in the day we had a 26 Chrysler & a 34 Airflow in the shop side by side. One look liked is was designed after a brick , the other an egg. Night & day difference!

[@kevbev1524]

Looking good for an oldie 🧓

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Cool car Great vid!!!! 👍👍

[@elliottlandco2776]

I enjoy your crawls! I

[@robertcaho6650]

Would like to see more on your personal projects

[@touhouer7647]

That is such a relic...if only it was in beautiful shape... Sometime in the future, if I were to create a game that's like a open-world sandbox game or a driving simulator game. I would love to include the 1937 DeSoto S3 that you got there in the game but as a beautifully restored better shape vehicle.. Every car that is on this channel or whatever in my mind, I would love to include everything from the car that goes from its details, specs, features and more.. Would love to see this vehicle as a virtual replica for the game as a mod/base game vehicles for the games I would create or any other game out there. (Of course it would be a pain in the a$$ when it comes to these vehicles for the games as I believe there could not be that much references/info...but it's gonna worth it when you try to bring a vehicle like that into a virtual replica out of it!)

[@johngranato2673]

It's now an Airflew

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

@11:30 Closes the trunk lid on the hubcap.....

[@matthewlabella1699]

Is that a 57/58 Chrysler in black behind the Desoto?

[@daveridgeway2639]

Hi Steve, good video! I think one problem with the Airflow and Airstream was that the general public was not ready for the design. They where no jet airplanes or space program at that time. But, boy did that start to change in the late 1950s! Please reply. Dave...

[@77sunsets10]

If your plugs are that bad you shouldn't be driving your car. Now that's a Steveism. LOL

[@mikem3695]

The Aztek of the 30's.

[@the_lost_navigator]

The Cunninghams down the road owned a Desoto...

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

Cool DeSoto most people don't even know that DeSoto is thanks have a great day

[@jeffreybond6491]

Ironically, almost 90 years later, Tesla has come out with an EV CyberTruck sharing Chrysler Airflows radical departure in styling for our times and built on exoskeleton unibody construction vehicle: being simular terms of the 1934 Chryslers, Desoto Airflow... The 1934 Chrysler Airflow also had an exoskeleton, unibody, and framework. Affording Airflow radical modern car departures in design and styling for its time...

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Am 70 a kid by your standards, you have seen some changes! 👀👍👀👍👀👍🍺🍺

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Still better than then any💩lap top car .

[@southerncross3638]

Steves channel is like taking classes. 😅

[@joelmurphy7980]

"Funny how something modern can be a detriment" Manufacturers had best prepare for the same detrimental sales slump with EV's, and taxpayers had best prepare to bail them out yet again. 24% will seem mild in comparison.

[@thebrain7065]

Belden...didn't know they went that far back. Use to sell that brand in the early 90s working at a parts house/machine shop.

[@googleusergp]

Belden Wire is still around in MO. The Belden wire and cable line is sold by NAPA and supplied by Standard Motor Products of Long Island City, NY who has supplied NAPA for a number of years.

[@markchandler90]

Chrysler did offer the Airflow in 1937

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

By the end of the 30's just about everyone was jumping on the slipstream. Chrysler was ahead of the curve

[@TheopolisQSmith]

I have little interest in most cars made before 1940, the main exception being Airflows. Beautiful cars. Note that “Floating Power” was still in existence in the early 50’s.

[@joemazzola7387]

The airflow was the original Ford Taurus of it's day The difference is that the Taurus was a success but it could have been a failure because most cars were square in the 80s but the Taurus was accepted by the buying public

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! The guys that worked for me it look 👀👀 like a ( Jelly Bean ) even the Sales Staff . LOL !

[@joemazzola7387]

@@debbiebermudez5890 I did too I said I would never buy something like that But I did We bought a 95 Taurus I guess I got used to the styling

[@andreamills5852]

Inspiration for the PT Cruiser ?

[@brianmohan9303]

Is this a repeat?

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Good morning ! Have taken time off to recharge, well most likely Steve & his camera 🎥 man have done the same ! Have a good day & keep cool 😎 !

[@googleusergp]

Yes, this is a re-run.

[@davidpawson7393]

Mr C drove a Desoto. Mr.C was cool.

[@williampitzer5534]

👍

[@rickgopatriots2360]

What's up with all the reruns?

[@66balsam]

Steve, what’s the story with that funky nose piece on that Desoto? Those shapes cut outs look pretty cool…

[@UnfinishedProjectDartSport]

~

[@Iowa599]

Does the junkyard know which of their inventory are there because the last operator died?

[@Jupitermustangmike]

1934 MY DAD WAS BORN/ HE COLLECTED DESOTO HEMIS

[@rondpert5167]

Floating Power. Is that anything like Chrysler's "Floating Ground" wiring?

[@jerryicallsouthtexashome]

is that black car a Plymouth?

[@scottpreble3330]

Hey Steve do you get paid from motor trend on reruns on junk yard gold? Was watching this morning on tv

[@john_barnett]

DeSoto just makes me think of Sam and Max!

[@ryanmckay2535]

Chrysler made some cool stuff along tge way. But it seems like the only auto maker that built it's businesses model on being in constant decline. I'm curious what European or Asian company will buy them next.

[@chevken1831]

The framework of the car reminds me of roll bars, somewhat.

[@aussiebloke609]

9:29 An interesting car, to be sure...and not a nameplate we even hear about any more. But what is that thing behind you, all black and fins and sleekly evil-looking? I'm guessing mid-late '50s Fury, judging by the front treatment, but the fins don't look quite right for that.

[@Tony_in_AZ]

Not many Crosley cars in that yard ?

[@pat8988]

I think this is a re-upload. It seems awful familiar...

[@googleusergp]

I'll try this again, just like this video is a re-run.... The assembly plant that likely made this vehicle was located at 8505 Warren Ave in Dearborn and today it's the HQ for Shantila Foods, a Middle Eastern food company. Belden Wire still exits in Missouri. However, I believe that wire and cable company was sold off. NAPA handles the Belden wire and cable line and it is supplied through Standard Motor Products of Long Island City, NY who has supplied NAPA for about 20+ years. There were no VIN numbers back then, but serial numbers beginning with "5" were assembled in Detroit, MI and those with a "9" were assembled in Windsor, Ontario Canada. In those cases, it began with "9". Tough to tell what color it was originally, but if it was black, it could be code 107 Black exterior paint.

[@peterantonopoulos2572]

Morning Steve....hey guys lets give Steve a break with the complaining, vacationing or not he still gives us a 6 am vid regardless if its new or not. He's keeping the channel going and will be back soon surely.

[@anthonygrove4012]

Let the ad revenues roll!!!

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@anthonygrove4012 LOL !

[@davemckolanis4683]

@peterantonopoulos2572 He STILL Has To Get The Information Out CORRECTLY, And Might Be Better With The Newer Model Junks In That Yard From The 60's And Newer Stuff, Than The OLD Heaps... You Sound Like His MOTHER...

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@davemckolanis4683 So you don’t take time off ; & you don’t make mistakes ! Wow I guess you walk on water !

[@kenttalsma7906]

​@@davemckolanis4683who gave that a 👍? For crissake he was defending Steve (I know, that's what mothers do WHEN THEIR KIDS LIVES ARE IN DANGER. )

[@mgmcd1]

The potatoes from the late 30s to 40s became the suppositories and old bar soap of the 90s. Not a fan of either.

[@charlescarter1529]

As a retired member of the higher education field, and yes, a snob with a PhD in history🙂, this guy is pitiful. Just because you mark up old magazines doesn't mean you are an expert. He treats those magazines like trash and shows his sloppiness there. There is so much misinformation and non-continuity on his videos. Besides his magazines, what supports his information? His sources are limited. It is all somebody else's work. Nobody knows everything about one subject and this man proves it.

[@tomwesley7884]

Don't think Steve's proclaimed himself an expert or a "know-it-all." He's a journalist, doing ten minute video presentations of the cars he's found in a junkyard. Since when are published magazines not reliable sources?

[@charlescarter1529]

@@tomwesley7884 Those are considered secondary resources. A lot of people accept him as an authority (such as Uncle Tony's Garage) and endorse him as an "expert". You can pick and choose information to support you. This is how "history" is distorted. I spent 16 years acquiring an education in history and have a library of over 70,000 brochures, dealer albums, books, magazines, SAE papers, corporate histories, annual reports, personal correspondence and interviews with industry figures, etc. But I haven't made a video, so I guess I am not an "expert". I just wish he would recognize his research is limited.

[@edwardallen1740]

Is it me? Or are you starting to repeat your videos. Its hard to believe snow in late July This one seems to be a rerun as well . Whats up? Really do like the first run videos and l noticed plenty of cars and trucks so you shouldn't have to be doing reruns keep up the good work

[@anthonygrove4012]

Let the ad revenues roll as we fake some fresh content.

[@tomwesley7884]

Vinca minor is a spring-time bloomer.

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💯🇦🇺

[@DanEBoyd]

I prefer a Laguna S3...

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Is that black car behind it a Desoto?

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

Buick

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

don’t think so Buick’s didn’t have big fins like that

[@burthenry7740]

@@HotRod-wv4vm 1957 Chrysler. 👍 There's a crawl on it from a couple months ago called "Hey Four Eyes!"

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

@@burthenry7740 I kinda thought so by the headlights. I know it was not a Buick cause the fins were similar to my dad’s Desoto

[@scottwiebel5044]

I thought ford or Chevy ran a slur campaign against the unibody car saying its unsafe.

[@zach1069]

Weary of the repeats...

[@anthonygrove4012]

Beyond weary…

[@davemckolanis4683]

@zach1069 Maybe They've Run Out Of Junkers In That Place To Talk About, And Have To Find Someplace Else To Go. I'd MUCH RATHER SEE Cars That Have Been Restored And Cared For At An Auto Show. Than Rusted Out, WRECKED, Moldy And Stripped Scrap Metal, Covered In Leaf Litter And A Home For Critters And Snakes... Time To MOVE ON And Mature Indeed...

[@kenttalsma7906]

He might be working the Mecum Auto Auction.

[@nathanjoseph4284]

@@davemckolanis4683 "High Octane Classics" features Steve Magnate and he goes over restored cars.

[@davemckolanis4683]

@@nathanjoseph4284 Go To A REAL CAR SHOW, And Talk With The Owners That Have Restored Them. Instead Of Screwing Around On Your Computer In Your Lonely Room All Day. Last Father's Day I Got A Tour By The Owner Of A 1908 Sears 2-Cylinder Motor Wagon; And A The Owner Of A Tiny FRONT DOOR Opening 1959 Isetta Who Did A Ground Up Restoration On It. While I Left My 1950 Restored Mercury In The Lot For Folks To Snoop Around It. And There Are DOZENS MORE That You Can Look At FIRST HAND. We Have 4-More Car Shows Coming Up Next Month, With One Later TODAY If The Rain Stays Away. Shows Are FAR MORE Interesting Than Crawling Around A Bunch Of Neglected, Wrecked And Pirated Moldy Junks, That Are Mostly Homes For Animals And Snakes... Broaden Your Horizons And Mature Kiddo...

[@marioncobaretti2280]

Those seats are a rodents dream

[@corvairjim1]

Wise guy that I am (I'm not uncouth enough to say "smart @$$"), I feel thait it is my responsibility to point out that 1957 was TWO decades after 1937, not just one. But then, what does a lousy 10 years mean when a car is nearly 85 years old? 😂

[@gillesjacques1022]

Not all ideas are great ones, lol.😂