Chrysler Industrialist Fred Zeder – enjoying a night out in Detroit

July 2011
Volume 50
Number 7
Horsepower by
any other
name?
Plus
The Marketplace
Chrysler Industrialist Fred Zeder –
enjoying a night out in Detroit page 3
DEDICATED TO THE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF CHRYSLER AND DESOTO AIRFLOW MODEL
AUTOMOBILES AND DODGE AIRFLOW TRUCKS-THEIR RELATED HISTORY AND LORE. OFFICIAL
PUBLICATION OF THE AIRFLOW CLUB OF AMERICA, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED JUNE 1962.
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President’s
Message
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MEMBERSHIP - Persons of good character become a member upon submission of an
application and payment of the annual dues as follows: $30.00 US per year, $35.00 US
funds outside of North America. All memberships expire on December 31st. Mail
membership requests or renewals to:
Having just returned from the National Meet in Durango, I‟d like to start this message by thanking Tony
and Myriam Palmer for hosting a first class meet. The
location, activities and even the weather were all ideal!
We couldn‟t even begin to enjoy all that the town of
Durango had to offer, and the steam train ride was a
once in a lifetime event. The Meet schedule offered
some time for socializing, and the Palmer‟s hospitality
could not be beat. I received an unusual amount of very
favorable feedback during the meet and upon returning
home. One member wrote in an email that “Tony and
Myriam did an outstanding job in producing a totally
enjoyable Meet”. I‟ll resist the urge to wax on about the
Meet, as I know that our Editor will put together a great
Meet issue for next month.
With apologies to Mr. Dickens, I‟d like to call the
rest of this Message “A Tale of Two Tires”. While I
try not to make my President‟s Messages too personal, I
think that my experiences traveling to and from Durango
might be of benefit to other Club members – so here we
go!
Since completing the restoration of my C-2 a couple
of days before the ‟09 Meet here in the Northwest, I‟ve
driven the car on a couple of long-ish trips, but most of
her road time has been around town. I was looking forward to see how she would do on the 1,300+ miles to
Durango and return. My good friend Jim Boggs offered
to fly to Seattle from his home in Charleston, SC and
accompany me on the drive down. We were to meet his
wife Bettie at the Meet in Durango.
Our first leg to Pendleton, OR was uneventful, and
the car performed splendidly. Jim and I were both impressed with how well and comfortably the car handled
at highway speeds. On the next day (Sunday) we were
eating up the miles when just as we approached Nampa,
Idaho with Jim driving there was a very loud “bang” and
the car lurched to the right. Jim admirably wrestled the
car off the road, and the noises as well as spraying gavel
coming from the right front made it obvious that we had
lost a tire.
It was quite an exciting experience! A little bit of
“CSI Airflow” led us to conclude that the inner sidewall
of the Coker Classic Radial had failed, with a small two
inch flap being the primary evidence. I did have a spare,
but it did not mount cleanly due to a poor weld repair
made by a previous owner. With the help of the Idaho
State Patrol and AAA, we did find a shop which seemed
capable of mounting the spare on the good rim. That is
a story in itself which I may tell one day, but it is too
long for this column!
last page for continuation
Dennis Pitchford
14947 Leigh Ave.
San Jose, CA 95124-4524
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: The 10th of each month for the next
issue. Send all material to:
Neal Jacquot, Editor
2714 East 7th Street
Casper, WY 82609
E-Mail: <[email protected]>>
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Undeliverable copies, other mail items and
changes of address are to be sent to:
Mary Kathryn Eberly
207 West Main St.
Mount Joy, PA 17552-1213
Email: <<[email protected]>>
The AIRFLOW CLUB OF AMERICA, INCORPORATED is a non-profit organization founded in June 1962. The Club is dedicated to (1) the preservation, restoration,
exhibition, and use of Chrysler and DeSoto Airflow cars and Dodge Airflow trucks;
(2) the collection, recording and preservation, of Airflow historical data; (3) the dissemination to the public of the story of Airflow contributions to the automotive industry and (4) the promotion of good fellowship and cooperation among its members.
The Airflow Club of America is authorized and licensed by Chrysler Corporation to
use Chrysler, Dodge and DeSoto trademarks. Additionally, the Club is officially a
member of the Chrysler Corporation family of enthusiast clubs under specific legal
provisions of a signed agreement dated January 20, 1994.
The AIRFLOW NEWSLETTER, published monthly, is the official publication of the Airflow Club of America. The opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the
Airflow Club of America. official policy. All manuscripts, articles, letters and ads are subject
to being edited unless specified print verbatim.
AIRFLOW NEWSLETTER - COPYRIGHT 2011 by the Airflow Club of America, Inc. All
rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or part, in any form, without express written permission of the Airflow Club of America, Inc. The Club‟s internet address is
<<http://www.airflowclub.com>>.
AIRFLOW CLUB OFFICERS
President – Frank Daly, Sammamish, WA. (425)-210-1804
Vice President – Chandler Smith, Fort Worth, TX. (817) 921-6699
Secretary - Doug Conran, Benton Harbor, MI. Phone: (269)-925-1950
Treasurer - Dennis Pitchford, (address in above box)
NATIONAL DIRECTORS
Dennis Barfield, Goose Creek, SC
Jim Lightfoot, Simi Valley, CA
John Librenjak, Riverside, CA.
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
Eastern: John Wagner, Athens, GA.
Central: Roger Bise, Ft. Smith, AR.
Western: Tom Prince, Walnut, CA.
CLUB STAFF
Editor: Neal Jacquot, (Address and email in above box)
Mail Records: Mary Kathryn Eberly, 207 W. Main St., Mount Joy, PA 17552-1213, Phone:
(717)-653-1094, Email: <<[email protected]>>
Chief Judge: Phil Putnam: Orland, CA.
Chief Judge Emeritus: John Heimerl, Suffolk, VA.
Chief Judge Emeritus: Don Mitchell, Port Byron, IL.
Chief Judge Emeritus: Ellis Claar, Greensburg, PA
Historian: Frank Daly, Sammamish, WA
Storekeeper: John Librenjak, Riverside, CA. Phone: (951)-788-4678
Website: Jim Lightfoot, 743 Harper St., Simi Valley, CA 93065
Phone: (805)522-4040, E-mail: <<[email protected]>>
RECENT PRESIDENTS
1998-2002
Jim Lightfoot, Simi, CA.
2002-2006
Charles “Chuck” Cochran, Indianapolis, IN.
2006-2010
John Librenjak, Riverside, CA.
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Walter P. Chrysler —employed good men to
direct his research and production planning
process; Fred Zeder was one of the best….
By Neal Jacquot/cover photo sent by Jim Fredrick
Frederick M. Zeder was born in in Bay City
(ZSB) moved to Willys as consultants, where
Michigan in 1886. In his very early years, Zeder Walter Chrysler was attempting to save the comworked in the railroad industry while in grade
pany(1).
school. Early each morning he would wake up
Later in 1923, ZSB joined Chrysler at Maxwell
train crews; in a few years, he was a railroad car Corporation where they assisted in what would
checker (1)
become Chrysler Corporation. Some of this early
Later he became a machinist apprentice and work that the three had developed continued on
a machinist. Upon completing high school, Zeder in Chrysler cars; primarily in engines and susattended the University of Michigan in 1905 and pension (1).
in four years completed a BS in mechanical engiZeder became Vice President of engineering
neering from Michigan’s College of Engineering. in 1925 at Chrysler. By 1927 he was on the
He was employed as an erecting engineer for
board of directors of Chrysler. He remained in
Allis-Chalmers Company in 1910 (1).
charge of engineering until his death in 1951(1).
He went to work for EMF Company as head
While there appears to be little documentation
of engineering labs and also ran a consulting
regarding Zeder’s involvement in the day to day
firm specializing in power plant design. When
early work on the Airflow, Vincent Curcio, author
Studebaker bought EMF he became a consultant of Chrysler (2), the most recent comprehensive
to them, then chief engineer. Zeder emphasized book on Walter Chrysler and the history of
the test lab approach rather than trial and error
Chrysler Corporation, does point out that Zeder
which was predominant in American engineering had emphasized the employment of scientific
at the time in the auto industry. As a result, by
methods into the research conducted in building
1916, Studebaker had some success even
better cars. Zeder took these methods from the
though there were some testing times. Zeder
Mayo brothers and how they operated their busiconvinced Studebaker to hire university trained
ness. Perhaps this was how Chrysler began usengineers; Owen Skelton and Carl Breer, among ing the wind tunnel, even though the wind tunnel
others, joined Zeder there. This was the beginidea itself, was borrowed from the Wright brothning of a long term association between the
ers(2).
three men that became known as the “The
Sources:
Three Musketeers”(1).
(1) Walter P. Chrysler Museum, website
By 1918 Studebaker was making some very (2)Chrysler, Vincent Curcio, Oxford Press, pp 270-272;dependable cars, but Zeder/Skelton/Breer
518-519.
Putna
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Airflows and Agriculture mixing………
Another great photo submitted by member Jim Fredrick of Roseville, Minnesota. Is anyone
able to identify the location or the dealership?. If you are able, pony up! Looks like Plogg or
Flogg Motor. on the sign above the tent—a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. Of course, the
‘34 Airflow coupes are in the distance but still quite plain.
More Tech Tips Coming…..after August
Airflowers
sands of additional miles of service from them.
It is best to take the shocks off of the car for
Don‟t neglect the maintenance of your car‟s
this job. But it does not take long. Chrysler
shock absorbers!! All Airflow shocks are refil- shocks have a knurled adjusting knob on them
lable and the Chrysler shocks are also adjust- also. So, they can be set up for hard or soft
able. Providing that the shock has not been
ride, as you desire.
dry for so long that the arm bushing is worn
out, there is an excellent chance that by filling
ACA Technical CD by Jon Clulow
the shocks up again, you will get many thou-
.
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Airflow Club of America
Treasurer’s Report
Airflow Club of America
Club Store Income/Expense Report
YTD May 2011
YTD May 2011
Previous
Current
Y-T-D
Income
Dues
$0.00
$5,265.00 $5,265.00
Club Store Sales
Advertising
$0.00
$0.00
$2,655.20 $2,655.20
$0.00
$0.00
Interest
$0.00
$33.64
$33.64
Miscellaneous
$0.00
$8.20
$8.20
$0.00
$7,962.04 $7,962.04
Newsletter Costs
$0.00
$3,717.44 $3,717.44
Club Store
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Postage
$0.00
$219.05
$219.05
Trophies/Awards
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Supplies
$0.00
$3.96
$3.96
Website
$0.00
$89.70
$89.70
Insurance
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Copies
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Asset
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Miscellaneous
$0.00
$25.20
$25.20
Total Income
Expense
Total Expenses
$0.00
$4,055.35 $4,055.35
Current
Y-T-D
Checking $754.23
$ 11681.55
DDP 5/30/2011
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$80.00
$40.00
$60.00
$14.00
$159.00
$44.00
$172.00
$715.00
$60.00
$75.00
$50.00
$80.00
$40.00
$60.00
$14.00
$159.00
$44.00
$172.00
$715.00
$60.00
$75.00
$50.00
Pedal Pads
Heel Pads
Headlight Pads
Windshield Frame Rubber
Rear Qtr Window Rubber
Anti-rattle Snubbers
Rubber Bumper Grommets
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$60.00
$120.00
$32.00
$470.00
$0.00
$138.00
$25.00
$60.00
$120.00
$32.00
$470.00
$0.00
$138.00
$25.00
Videos
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Chrysler Hubcap Skins
DeSoto Hubcap Skins
Fuel Pump Shield
Hood Prop Springs
Decals
Christmas Cards/Napkins
Shipping
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$20.00
$22.50
$40.00
$258.70
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$20.00
$22.50
$40.00
$258.70
Total Income
$0.00
$2,655.20 $2,655.20
Expense
Savings $19,677.91
Bank Balance May
Technicnal CD
Newsletters on DVD
Newsletters on CD
Firewall Plates
Manuals/Books
Stamps, Buttons, Emblems
Rear Window Seals
Door Vent Seals
Cowl Vent Weatherstrip
Gear Shift Boots
Gas Pedals
$3,906.69
Net Gain
CDs
Previous
Income
$32,113.69
Grommets
Vent Rubber
Door Vent Seals
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Rear Qtr Window Rubber
Name Buttons
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Postage/Shipping
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Total Expense
DDP 5/30/11
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Chrysler/DeSoto
Airflow Dealerships
in the ‘30s
As an integral part of the monthly Newsletter, your
editor is asking for the respective dealerships from which
your car was originally purchased. Many of you are
aware that some of the time this information is available
from the Chrysler Historical Society. Well, here goes,
with the first 5!
*John Heimerl, 1934 Chrysler Airflow CU, Funk
and Ennis, Inc.,1369-11 Cathedral Street, Baltimore,
Maryland
*Neal Jacquot 1936 DeSoto Airflow S-2 Mound
Motors, St. Louis, Missouri
*Dennis Pitchford, 1935 DeSoto Airflow SG, Arndorfer Brothers Inc., 624 W. Wells Street, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, telephone Daly 3746.
Ron Robbel 2 1936 DeSoto S-2 Airflows, Hitchcock,
Boise, Idaho, Mills Motors, Sealttle, Washington
So, send in your car’s dealership and we will up-date
the list from time to time in the Newsletter. Note that we
want to include street/city/town, addresses and phone if
possible—part of the interesting nostalgia/history that is
part of our fellowship!
Your Editor
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You Tube Reveals
Progress at the
Putnam Ranch
Putnamville, CA ACA Press
Member Dave Schultz has recently updated the progress on Phil
Putnam’s 1935 CW on the You
Tube web. The trial body fitting is
completed and body bolting is in
process. Putnam discusses the upcoming curved windshield assembly, bumper attachment and other
items that complement the body.
Putnam sets a completion date.
Schultz has also made available
on another video, work being done
by brother and ACA member Ron
Putnam at the ranch. Ron is restoring a 1934 Airflow CV.
Sooooo!, the Putnam boys are
“growing Airflows”, and avoiding
the risk of the downturn in cattle
prices!
In addition, local neighbor Bruce
Wallin, holder of fine Airflow limos
at nearby Chico and who also wears
a tall Airflow hat, is mentioned regarding similar efforts on his CW
restoration progress.
Grievous Error!
Your Editor made an error in last month’s Newsletter, regarding the traditional Eastern Region’s Banquet date. I am informed that the Banquet is always held on Friday night. I hope
this has not inconvenienced anyone.
My apologies to Mary Kathryn Eberly who always plans this event well. Here is the real
scoop:
Eastern Region/Hershey Meet Friday Night Banquet
October 7 , 2011, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
flyer forthcoming in the August edition
Ads are renewable every 2 months: must
be submitted by the 10th of each month to
be in the next month’s edition.
For Sale: (1) 1936 Chrysler grille very nice driver quality, asking $450; (1) 1936 Chrysler grille-lightly pitted and 2 small
cracks at the bottom $150; (1) 1936 Chrysler hood good condition $200; (1) Please contact me for photos.
Contact: Randy Rutherford, 183 Lower Seese Hill Road,
Canadensis, PA 18325, Email <<[email protected] >>or by
Phone : 570-460-8395.
Wanted: exterior stainless piece behind the hood stainless (in
front of windshield); assist bar attached to back of front seat,
inside rear view mirror for 1936 DeSoto S-2, also would like to
buy exterior mirrors equal or close to originals,
Contact: Don Ullman, 10825 Havenhurst, Peoria, Il, 61615, ,
Phone: (309)-692-4543, <<Email: [email protected]>
For Sale:1935 C2 Chrysler Airflow, good condition, 4 door
sedan, no rust, good
chrome, and complete, 3 to 4 rating
out of 5, I have
owned this car since
1962. Asking
$14,000
Contact: R. Versaw,
970 241 3858 or
write to 653 Peony Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81507. E-mail:
<[email protected]>>
For Sale: Reproduction gas tank filler grommets.
Grommets fit 1934-35 Chrysler and DeSoto coupes
and sedans. These are EXACT
reproductions. Please specify - coupe or sedan when
ordering. Price is $45.00 plus $5.00 shipping. (Check
payable to John Librenjak-NOT Airflow Club).
Contact: John Librenjak, 3595 McKinley St., Riverside, CA
92506, Phone: (951)788-4678.
For Sale: Original Chrysler and DeSoto Literature! Large selection of Chrysler and DeSoto sales brochures, manuals, factory photos, etc., for all models including Airflows. Send
stamped envelope with years for free list. Please specify Chrysler or DeSoto as I have lists for all makes of cars/trucks/
motorcycles - worldwide.
Contact: Walter Miller, 6710 Brooklawn Pkwy, Syracuse, NY
13211. Phone: (315)432-8282 or Fax: (315)432-8256. E-mail:
<<www.autolit.com>>.
For Sale: will produce sets of 4 rubber pieces and metal backing plates for S-2 and S-1 (Airstream) bumper guards, if there
is enough interest, $169 for set of 4 plus shipping.
Contact: Diran, Phone: (248)-646-0158 or EMail
<<[email protected]>>
Wanted: Dual carb intake manifold for straight 8 Chrysler for
3 or 4 bolt carbs. Also Chrysler 6 2 carb intake („37-‟54).
Contact: Ed Hegarty Phone: (510) 232-0197.
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Wanted: front door window frames in good condition, left and
right sides for 1934 SE DeSoto.
Contact: Liam Gaynor, Email: <[email protected].>>
Wanted: for a 1935 C-l coupe; spare tire tub, right door inside
window garnish, left and right door window frames and front
seat complete and or frame only. Will accept parts in any condition.
Contact: Terry Brinson. Orland, CA 530-865-4380 or
<<[email protected] >>
For Sale: 1937 Chrsler Airflow C-17 sedan, complete car, exterior restoration completed, new rubber, beautiful dark blue
paint, excellent chrome, clean undercarriage, original metal
spring covers, etc, new running board covers installed with
correct strips and rare base molding, excellent mechanicals and
wiring, engine compartment restored, complete
and in excellent running
order, complete interior
out of car and needs restoration, seats and door
panels in good condition,
needs recovered; this is a
wonderful car and would
like to see it completed
and enjoyed by someone who would appreciate the best, call
for photos, must send by email, as my internet cannot do it, car
located near Kennett Square, PA, $17,500 obo,
Contact: John Lawrence, Phone (610)-255, 0153, Email <<
[email protected]>>
Come and get it: I have a 1935 Chrysler C-1 sedan; I would
rather give it to a Club member for parting out/restoration than
junking it out; the drive train is out of the car and the engine is
70 percent torn down, pistons cracked but the rest of the engine
looks to be solid.
Contact: Kent Bigelow, 10514 Emnora, Houston, TX 77043,
Phone: (713)-932-0865 or cell (832)-647-9005; email:
[email protected]>> Submitted by member Chandler Smith.
Ads for the Marketplace
Post, phone or E-Mail your ad insertion to :
Neal Jacquot,
2714 E. 7th St., Casper, WY 82609, or
Phone: (307) 234-9198
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(President’s Message continued)
We confidently made it to the Meet without incident.
After several very enjoyable days, Jim and Bettie headed
off to Charleston, and I headed north in the Airflow. Kit
and Jon Carson were also heading home to Washington
State, and they agreed to follow and ride/drive with me for
the first leg. They, too, commented on the great ride and
handling characteristics of the car.
We were almost 500 miles from Durango with Jon
driving, when the steering wheel twitched. Jon looked at
me and said “We don‟t need this!” as once again the car
lurched to the right and the now familiar sounds and feelings of the rim grinding down the road occurred once
more. The same right front location and again at about 65
mph! I guess that lightning CAN strike twice in the same
place!
AAA again to the rescue; the closest tow vehicle was
nearly 60 miles away and we were towed 137 miles to
Twin Falls, Idaho. I‟ll again leave out many interesting
details, but the shop in Nampa which had mounted the
spare after the first blowout failed to properly install the
tube; a wrinkle in the tube had abraded a small hole in the
tube, resulting in escaping air, tire overheating and kablooie. In both cases, the white sidewall completely separated from the rest of the tire, resulting in a large white
rubber doughnut!
Since returning, I‟ve done a lot of research on tires for
Airflows. I‟ll share what I‟ve found on the Yahoo Groups
forum. The bottom line for me is that I have purchased a
set of modern tubeless light duty truck tires made by Cooper to which Diamondback has vulcanized a 3-3/4” whitewall. I have similar tires on my Packard and Cord, and
they have performed very well.
The Airflow itself did a splendid job without so much
as a hiccup. ½ quart of oil and no added water, 14 mpg
and 3rd overdrive over numerous passes exceeding 7,500
feet and one summit of almost 8,500 feet. After the second blowout, I drove solo just shy of 600 miles, resting
for the night before crossing the Cascade mountains. I
still marvel at how the Airflow must have transformed the
driving experience in the mid 1930s!
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Airflow Members,
Attached are photos of the 1934 Chrysler Airflow after I
got it running. Got Some very interesting comments
when I took it out for fueling.
Patrick Bowe
Mansfield, Connecticut
National DeSoto Club Meet,
Reno, Nevada July 27-31
Contact: Nancy Lee Pitchford
408-559-7977
[email protected]
On to San Jose in 2012!
Airflowingly,
Frank
AIRFLOW CLUB INTERNET FORUMS
The Airflow Club participates in two internet forums, one hosted by the
AACA and other hosted by Yahoo. The easiest way to reach the AACA
Forum is to go to the Airflow Club Home Page at
<<www.airflowclub.com>> and at the bottom of the page click on the
AACA Forum address. If you want to access the forum directly, their ad-
dress is <<http://forums.aaca.org>>. Then click on Forums. This opens all
the forum lists. Click on Register Here and register as a forum member,
then scroll down the list Airflow Club of America in the Chrysler Products
group. Yahoo also host a forum for us. To access their forum go to
<<http://auto.groups.yahoo.com/groups/Airflow>>.
July 2011