Crosley Motors began in 1939, focusing on small economy cars. After pausing for World War II in 1942, the company fired up auto production again in 1946. But since demand for new cars was so high at that time and anything on wheels could be sold, the little Crosleys were usually overlooked, and the company folded up shop in 1952. This 1949 Crosley is a CD Series convertible that runs but needs cosmetic TLC, being one of maybe just 645 produced. Located in Keene, New Hampshire, this rare oddity is available here on craigslist for $4,500.
The CD models arrived in 1949 and remained in production until the end came for Crosley in 1952. The cars may have been too little too soon as the U.S. buying public didn’t begin to embrace small automobiles until the end of the decade. The CD was offered in a variety of body styles, including the convertible with a framed roof and doors like this one. The Crosley was innovative for the times and came with 4-wheel disc brakes in 1949 and 1950. Two trim versions were offered, the Standard and DeLux (without the “e”), with the seller’s being one of the latter.
This Crosley should have the whopping 44 cubic inch inline-4 they all had, putting out 26 hp. So, getting from zero to 50 mph probably took forever. This one also has a manual transmission and may have only logged 47,000 miles. It comes complete with a radio and heater, options back in the day. The body is good with just a few small holes in the floors, which look to have been sprayed in grey primer.
The canvas top is MIA, and the little car needs a gas tank to be a driver. You could restore the Crosley or clean it up and use it mostly as-is. You’re likely to be the only one in town to have one of these vehicles. You’ll have to be okay with the lack of a title, as this car will come with a New Hampshire bill of sale. Here’s another tip from Zappenduster! Crosley, anyone?
It would make a nice little Island car. Put on a Fringe roof, some colorful seat covers, fresh paint and ship it off to Catalina.
Porky’s tribute car…need I say more
I would love it here in England as it would suit our very narrow back roads perfectly and cruising those roads at 30-40 mph would be bliss! It looks to be about the same size as our Austin A 35 which would be perfect for just the wife and I. I wouldn’t restore it but just give it some tidying up, get a new top put on it, and drive it! Lovely.
….who needs a new top in England?….🤣
M first car was a ’49 station wagon with the cast iron block. Previous owner used it as a chicken coop. Smell just wouldn’t come out so I found a ’48 sedan body in great condition and put it on the wagon chassis. painted it light blue with white top and hit the road. Only change was to put ’39 Chevy taillights on it as it only had one from the factory. Started the project at 13 and got my license at 15 and hit the road. Found out quickly that you do not go fast around corners. Kinda like driving a 4 wheel motorcycle but you can’t lean into the corners.
These were Howdy Doody ice cream cars in OKC in the 60’s
The cooler took up most of the interior
Bob. Did you have a tommy tipover or learn that opposite lock gets you back to 4 from 2?
My first “too fast” right hand turn with 4 of us in the car ended up to be a two wheel turn that I didn’t do again. Really glad I had the right seats occupied.
You can believe there was a lot of opposite lock going on.
Maybe someday I’ll tell you about the time I rubbed some of “HOOSIER” off the sidewalls without crashing
What a fantastic and fun car this would be for errand running at the lake house… and it’s only 75 miles away… Hmmmmm…
I’ve always wanted a Crossley. I know I’ve shared this i this in the past, about a year or so ago at about 430 am on my way to work I pulled up next to a Crossley wagon at a red light. I complimented the driver on him having it out and about and using it. This looks like a great find.
Won’t those big, oversized shoes make it hard to use the pedals?
What a cool, little ride. The gas tank is $635, and if this was not 2500 miles away, I would take the plunge. There is a active national club and a number of parts supplier, and engine rebuilders. Now, to find a top. Good luck with the sale!
$635?
My Crosley has the front 1/3 and rear 1/3 of the Crosley chassis, Crosley drivetrain and instrument panel. I could part with the Crosley gas tank.
Top is easy, just a piece of top material with snaps that in turn rolls up and lays down in the back section.
The machine shop i use can grind the valve seats. Font know about others. The Crosley engine is a “testa feista”. That’s Italian for fixed head. Learned that from an alfa ferrari customer.
I just got a new old stock gas gap from eBay, it’s a Briggs & Stratton cap!
Johnson and Johnson sells amulti million dollar hospital ventilation system.
Many of the parts come from Hoover.
I just got a new old stock gas gap from eBay, it’s a Briggs & Stratton cap!
Once upon a time, a Crosley modified Roadster was offered in eBay, the engine had a SWAP to a 300 cc per chamber, around 30 HP Sachs snowmobile Wankel RCE.
Even with a final price below $900, it remained unsold. Did it?
Growing up out in the sticks I had a Renault 4CV that I tooled around out on the fire roads put in ” the forest”. The neighbor behind us had 10 kids. (8 girls and 2 youngest sons) I was not privy to what was said at their dinner table. But after I started driving by their house 3 of the girls all got Crosleys. A sedan, a pickup (like a Morris) and a wagon. We never raced or anything (being 12 years old would have ended up as a disaster) BUT, I’m sure my 4CV could have kicked their butts! (lol) OH well, 1964-5 was a good time for me.
I don’t think the 4cv has anything on the Crosley. They’re both 28 +/- hp.
Wife of the 70s had a 4cv for a time. She bought it for almost nothing becsuse it needed a starter that supposedly was nonexistent. She started it with the crank. Often a macho man/boy would try to start it for her. She’d let them try a couple cranks and then take the crank and say “like this”! She sold it running and the next owner drove it till the rust made it sag in the middle. Next owner made a garden tractor out of it.
Renault was probably better in the snow than a Crosley.
At least my 4CV had 4 wheel independent suspension! BUT, I rolled it twice before I figured out swing axle rear suspension!
How wide is a Crosby? Checking to see if it will fit inside my transport.
Thank you !
49″ wide.
It will fit inside my E350 FORD VAN ! Thank you !
I was on a construction site in 1981 waiting for a Grader to show up to fine grade for a 40,000 s.f. concrete slab. Up pulls a Ford van, out from the back rolls a small tractor with blades that swing out.
Never saw anything so funny, but he got the job done.
His name was Fran Dudley, job was on rt. 126 in Holliston, Ma
Fell in love with a ’41 Crosley while on vacation in Maine. I was 8 ‘n it was 1943. The owner was my G’pa’s ex-boss and also owned a ’41 Darrin-bodied Packard, yellow over black rolled leather interior. Gorgeous car but I preferred the itty-bitty air-cooled twin next to it.
By the time I was old ’nuff to get my ticket Crosley stopped making cars.
But, been doin’ (very) small cars ever since.
If a car won’t fit in my van,its not going anywhere.
Looks you’ll have room to spare.!!!!
I had a 68 Olds Del Monte, I bet this would have fit in the front seat ! Bought it for 25 bucks in 1975. Owner bought a new car and dealer refused to take it in trade.
Got 8 gallons to the mile.
Your car uses 8 gallons per mile ! Must have a fuel leak.
My 67 Olds 442 got about 8 mile per gallon, it had 4:66 rear axle gear.
I was joking,but I think my big grey beast had a 455.
It was a 4 door, my wife and I could lie across the big bench seat without touching either arm rest
I was dating at that time, so I took out the back seat, and padded the rear floor.
Worked great !
I bet the ladies weren’t too impressed!