Crosley
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 3
Introduction
Perhaps one of the strangest vehicles to come out
of the US of A was the Crosley, a sub compact car that
began life in 1939 and survived until 1952.
What was so unique about the Crosley was its humble
design, based very much on the small sub-compact cars
from Europe, and built in a country where the traditional
sedans bonet was longer than this little car.
Between 1939 to 1941 the Crosley was fitted with a 38.9 cubic inch 2-cylinder
air-cooled engine, which was increased in size in 1941 to 35.3 cubic inches. With the advent of war and subsequent
petrol rationing one can quickly identify why the Crosley
was in fact able to survive for 13 years...
The Crosley was the brainchild of one Powel Crosley,
Jr., who thought the car more of an "appliance".
In the first year 2017 were sold, the showroom being
the local hardware or appliance shop!
In 1940 Crosley improved the cars' engines and increased
the model lineup to 5 variants, which included a standard
and DeLuxe sedan; station wagon; convertible; a "covered
wagon" pickup with full canvas top; plus several commercial
bodies.
Styling and interior appointments were of course primitive,
even by the standards of 1940. The car sat on tiny 4.25
x 12 inch tyres, and featured a six gallon fuel tank
and mechanical brakes.