Chryslers by the Bay highlight – 1937 DeSoto Six sedan

For more than two decades, Chryslers by the Bay has seen a big selection of vehicles from the Mopar family come to Geelong. This year’s 26th edition of the event was no exception, with all the American marques within the Chrysler family represented, along with a good spread of Aussie Valiants. One of the great things about this show is you’ll often get to see Chryslers that are rarely spotted at general car shows, like Royals from the 1950s, the mid-sized Centura, as well as related Jeeps and American Motors vehicles that fall under Chrysler ownership. 

At last year’s Chryslers by the Bay, a very rare 1935 DeSoto Airflow was spotted in the show ‘n’ shine. This year, it was a slightly later but just as rare DeSoto Six that turned heads.

Introduced in 1934, DeSoto’s Airflow range tanked in the marketplace due to the buying public rejecting its aerodynamically-styled body. A Chrysler Airflow model introduced at the same time and with the same radical design fared just as poorly. However, Chrysler had the advantage of a conventional-looking model in their lineup, so could steer buyers toward that. DeSoto had gone all-in on the Airflow styling, which meant they had to introduce a model with traditional looks quick smart to avoid further damage to their sales. The ‘Airstream’ was the result, arriving in 1935.

Mechanically, the Airstream was the same as the Airflow, with a 241.5ci six-cylinder engine (the largest DeSoto had offered to that point in time) and three-speed manual transmission as standard. Other elements, like brakes and suspension, were common across both models, too.

When the Airflow was dropped after 1936, the Airstream was renamed the ‘DeSoto Six’ for 1937 and 1938 before ‘Custom’ and ‘Deluxe’ model names were introduced for 1939.

The 1937 DeSoto Six pictured is a Touring Sedan, which was one of ten body styles available that year. Others included fastback sedans, business coupes, broughams, long-wheelbase bodies and convertibles. There was also a limousine body that stretched the standard 116-inch wheelbase to 133 inches, as well as a bare chassis for specialty applications, like a hearse or ambulance.

For 1937, the six-cylinder engine was de-stroked to 228.1 cubic inches, but a higher horsepower version was optional a year later. Remarkably, the same basic engine would be the mainstay powerplant for DeSoto until 1952, when they introduced their first V8. The six would finally be discontinued two years later.

This DeSoto Six was running a V8 of unknown type and origin (possibly a Chrysler 318 small block), with other noticeable changes and upgrades including bullet-style indicators front and rear, vinyl-trimmed seats, seatbelts and a modern steering column with aftermarket steering wheel.

One of the oldest cars on show at Chryslers by the Bay this year, this was also one of the few DeSotos. Very high temperatures meant numbers were lower than in past years, but around 100+ vehicles still made the journey to the show ‘n’ shine.

For JUST CARS’ report from the 2024 Chryslers by the Bay, click HERE.