Chrysler launched the Chrysler Airflow in 1934, one of the first American cars designed around aerodynamic principles.
The Airflow used a streamlined body with a rounded front, integrated fenders and a passenger compartment moved forward on the chassis. Its design reduced the visual separation between body sections and helped distribute weight more effectively than many conventional cars of the period.
Chrysler tested prototypes in wind tunnels and used engineering methods that were advanced for the early 1930s. The company also used a steel body structure and paid unusual attention to passenger safety and ride comfort.
Despite its engineering importance, the Airflow was commercially unsuccessful. Many buyers preferred the familiar upright styling of rival cars, and early production and marketing problems hurt sales. Its failure did not erase its influence: later American cars adopted smoother shapes and more integrated body designs.