Airflow enthusiasts go the distance to attend national meet in Valley

Rare cars made their way to Gardnerville for a national meet last week, many of them rolling onto Northern Nevada pavement for the first time.

Twenty-one Chrysler and DeSoto Airflows, manufactured from 1934-37 and considered a radical style for their time, arrived at Carson Valley Inn in Minden on June 21 and their owners, members of the Airflow Club of America, showed their vehicles Friday morning at Heritage Park.

"I'm so pleased at how many came," said Chuck Hill, an Airflow club member from the Gardnerville Ranchos, the only member from Northern Nevada. Hill organized this year's 43rd annual Airflow Club of America National Meet from June 21-25, in Carson Valley for the first time.

Awards were presented in many categories, but Hill said the most memorable awards for club members were the ones for those who traveled long distances to attend. Doug Conrad received the "Longest Distance Trailered" award for hauling his vehicle from Michigan, and Chandler Smith received the "Longest Distance Driven" award for driving his Airflow from Fort Worth, Texas. Smith's car also got the most points and won the "People's Choice" award.

"If you know anybody in the business, that's pretty outstanding," said Hill.

The Walter P. Chrysler award, which is handed down from the previous year's winner each year, went to Bruce Wallin for his black 1934 Chrysler CX Custom Imperial Airflow Town Sedan (LeBaron), which members said was the rarest car in the show on Friday.

When Airflows were being built in the 1930s they were designed inside and out for speed and fuel efficiency, reaching record-breaking speeds into the 90-mph range and getting 18 miles per gallon. The streamlined shape of these large sedans resembles the Chrysler PT Cruisers of today.

Airflow owners came from all over the U.S. and beyond on Friday, with one member traveling, minus his car, from New Zealand.

"This is my first (meet) in America," said Irvin Black. "I've been trying for 30 years to be here."

Black left his Airflow Chrysler Custom Imperial LeBaron CW limousine that he originally imported from England back at home in the land of the kiwis.

"It's the biggest Airflow," Black said proudly. "It spent most of its time in Scotland where it was chauffeured. Only 11 of this model car are existing today - three or four complete ones."

Hill said the limousine is the only Airflow with the steering wheel on the right.

"It was built for the British isles," said Hill.

Hill has traveled to New Zealand for a meet before.

"Three or four people have been to see me in New Zealand," said Black.

Another member traveled from Alberta, Canada, one was from Colorado and many drove across the border from California.

"They loved the Valley, they loved the trip to Tahoe on Saturday and the JT (Basque Bar & Dining Room) and CVI (Carson Valley Inn)," said Hill. "What's not to love?"

n Jo Rafferty can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.