30a and 32 Chrysler Airflow Saloon (1935-48)

Hi all, my expertise in metallurgy is very limited. Now I wonder which techniques have been used for the bumpers and grill of the Chrysler Airflow Saloon on the one hand, and for the plated hubs on the other hand. The metal and/or its coat of the bumpers etc. seems to have a much firmer surface, less sensitive for waer, than the plated surface of the hubs has, which, as we know, has very often partly or completely worn off. I'll show some details: Thanks for your comments! Kind regards, Jan

I'm afraid I can't help at all regarding your question, but I have my own question relating to this item (which is very nice by the way!) I was told many years ago by a collector that those prewar chromed hubs were only produced for a year or so, around 1935. Is that correct?

I also can't help you on that point ! This Chrysler is one of the items missing in my collection but .... I will get it one of these days !

Hi Fred and Richard, 1935 will indeed be the most probable core year of availability of the chromed hubs models. Have a look at the Dinky Display Board of 1935, as shown in DT&MM page 258 and The GBofDT page 223. Virtually all models on display there seem to have the very shiny hubs! In the mean time, still waiting for the material/process used for finishing the grill/bumpers ... Kind regards, Jan

Few month ago, I got a cream colored Chrysler with smooth hubs and black tyres. This morning, I received the same but with ridged hubs and black tyres. I have uncovered, that the front bumpers of the ridged hubs model is hollow at the radiator grille base ! Is it a current variation ? kind regards Richard

RichardI just looked at my later model, with ridged wheels, and the bottom of the bumper is solid. I cannot imagine why yours is partly open. Best regards, Terry

Just to add another color of this model, here is my blue example, purchased many years ago, and just in good condition, with no remaining traces of silver at all. The lack of silver on the radiator grill really takes away from the appearance.Best regards, Terry

Hello, mine, which is definitely rather early pre-war, has the open space behind the front (and aft) bumper. So this open space predates the solid situation, and seems to have changed early post-war (like many other similar fill-in actions for small windows, steering wheels etc.). Still, in this short transitional period separate parts available like these could easily get mixed up in the production process, in my opinion. Kind regards, Jan

Great photo Jan, as it illustrates that very well. It sure looks quite fragile that way, with minimal support for the main part of the bumper. Best regards, Terry

Has anyone seen or have an example of the trade box for this model. David

I remember to have seen the REMAINS only of such a box, in David Cooke's collection. A snapshot below, just one side of the box, pasted over a blank new replacement trade box! But a complete one is shown on talkmodeltoys. Kind regards, Jan

Thank you for that, this is the prewar example, have you seen or heard of the post war box as this is one of the boxes that has eluded me. David