Crosleys are tempting palettes for customization. They don’t cost a lot, and they’re tiny – so creating a new vision won’t break your back. Over sixty years ago, someone had the same thought about this 1941 Crosley Convertible Sedan, here on eBay. This early rat rod – complete with flames and a homemade grille – is bid to $157.50, reserve not met. It’s located in Livingston Manor, New York – presumably a town and not someone’s living room! The seller says it was customized in 1956. This tiny tip is courtesy of T.J.
Hot rods often start with engine swaps. The factory-supplied motor was an air-cooled 39 cu. in. Waukesha two-cylinder with about 13 bhp, coupled with a three-speed manual. Top speed with this configuration was 50 mph although Crosley advised traveling at no more than 40 mph. At least one owner reported that the Waukesha-powered car could not make it up a hill. This car has been converted to a later liquid-cooled Crosley in-line four-cylinder with about 27 bhp, more than twice the original! It’s missing a few parts and the owner says it is seized. The car did attend this year’s Crosley Nationals, but not apparently under its own power.
The body needs help. It is altered from its original bull-nose style to accommodate a radiator and the larger engine, but alas rust has undone what we can imagine was a proud accomplishment back in 1956. At least working on the differential and rear suspension is simpler. Rust is nibbling at the rest of the underside as well, and if you squint at the first photo you’ll see a couple of holes in the cowl and the nose.
The interior is as basic as they come, with one wiper blade, the wiper motor just above the steering wheel inside the cabin, a metal dash, and flat individual seats. The original sedan had rear seats that could be removed for “extra storage”, but you won’t fit your golf clubs in there. The three original gauges have been replaced by a single muti-function gauge from a Hot Shot. The top seems to be snug, and the car still carries its spare on its rump. And now, we must wonder, what is the likely reserve on this tiny rod? And, what to do with it? We could ask this young fellow, who is the proud owner of a decrepit Crosley he’s preparing to restore. He showed his Crosley at the Nationals as well this year. Maybe he needs two Crosleys!
Most people if they wanted to raise the rear end. they’d put in taller shackles. Who would put in 7 leaf truck springs?
Cool car, but you’d spend a lifetime patching the rust holes.
By the way, don’t count out the Crosley motors. Midget racers used to because the had a stout bottom end and they could get lots of hp out of them.
Wow!
Cool car !
I never saw this model Crosley before !!
I am tempted to move myself out to the garage (which is where I will be forced to live) if I buy it.
I will be watching this…
This car is one of the first models. And its been butchered up till its worthless.
I agree with Richard, it was butchered to death! Livingston Manor, NY is/was a real town, even had The NYO&W Railroad running through it.
This car has a very very rare David Brown hood ornament. The true car enthusiasts here will know that The “DB” in various models of Aston Martin cars stands for David Brown. David Brown also made farm tractors for many years in England; this grille surround and hood ornament is from one of them.
Regarding the body, it is highly modified. The only parts of the car that are original pre-war are the parts of the fenders, firewall, dashboard, doors and door frames. Everything else is modified. The body was modified from a four passenger to a two passenger. The frame, wheels, tires, engine are all from post war Crosleys.
That’s my car. Of all the hundreds of thousands of cars for sale in the U.S. every day, I wonder why my cars always pop up on this website for sale…