How many DeSoto Airstreams are left in New Zealand?
Unicorn 1 in 2,337,436 on the road Built 1936 Sold new in New Zealand
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
The conventional car DeSoto rushed out for 1935 after buyers rejected the radical Airflow. The Airstream had ordinary upright styling with just a hint of streamlining and a lower price, and it comfortably outsold the Airflow in both years it was offered. It did its job and was replaced for 1937.
Still on the road, by model year
2 from 1936.
What Unicorn means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 2 still registered, the DeSoto Airstream is Unicorn: the grade for cars with fewer than 5 left.
By how many are left it ranks 9th of the 11 DeSoto models and equal 2,524th of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.