Powel Crosley was quite a character, applying his considerable inventiveness to many everyday items. He is probably best known for bringing mass production to radios, so Everyman could enjoy a set in the living room. But his passion was automobiles, and no matter how he was otherwise engaged, he was maneuvering toward automobile manufacture. After several false starts and a less-than-satisfying stint making auto parts, he finally introduced a Crosley automobile in 1939. After the war, Crosley introduced his CC model – still tiny, now utilizing his CoBra – copper brazed – motor. With gas rationing in effect, the Crosley’s 50 mpg was attractive to buyers for a time. But the motors didn’t hold up, forcing a shift to more conventional cast iron construction (“CIBA” in Crosley parlance) and hurting Crosley’s reputation despite a retrofit program that replaced the CoBra for existing customers. The end of gas rationing and Americans’ desire for larger cars killed Crosley but not before a number of adorable pickups were made. Here on craigslist is a 1947 Crosley round-side pickup for sale, at an asking price of $14,500. You might be able to bring this truck home from Knobhill, Colorado in the bed of an F250! Thanks to Mark K. for this tiny tip!
The original CoBra engine displaced just 44 cu. in. and produced only 26.5 bhp. If you have a retrofitted CIBA, the stats are identical. The transmission was a three-speed manual. Crosley vehicles were good for about 50 mph with a tailwind. This truck didn’t need to go fast, as it was used by the seller’s father to move merchandise in the aisles of a warehouse. The truck was running five years ago but the seller, while mentioning that putting it in running order again would be easy, has left that to the buyer.
The interior – in fact, most of the truck – is in good shape if austere. The simplicity of its appointments synced up with Crosley’s goal – to put a car in reach of Everyman, just like his radio. If manufacturing costs were low, most people could afford a Crosley.
The beak-y nose is common to all Crosley’s of this era. In a clever irony, the truck shows off “Pike’s Peak Speedway” graphics – it could probably carry a tire or two for your race team, but it’s not going to break a record on the oval! Still, the original paint is very attractive. The seller even has the original owner’s handbook, a minor miracle. Scanning the market, this survivor is probably worth close to the asking price, and should be especially treasured for its originality.
Even though I owned a Crosley I’ve never seen a pickup in person. I can’t believe here are too many of the trucks left, much less one in this condition. Rare and “fun to drive at ’55”. Nice specimen.
Love it! Just to far away and more $$ than I would want to part with!
My father brought home a Crosley Hotshot in the trunk of his 1960 Cadillac! I remember that the front two wheels fit perfectly in trunk 🤣🤣
Looking at the battery. Must be a 6 volt system?
Crosley was the 1st to put shelves in a refrigerator, “Crosley Shelvador”
was great, my Mom had one, my Uncle sold them
I had one of these built as a fire truck! It was lengthened by several feet and had a 2nd rear axle installed (6 wheeler). Open cab with ladders on the sides, siren, and gold fire dept. graphics. Probably built as a parade vehicle. I sold it to the LeMay museum.
My first ride(probably only) was in a Crosley Fire Truck in East Meadow, Long Island in the 1950s. Fellow drove around the neighborhood and charged 10 cents to give kids a ride. Probably sat 3 or 4 per side opposed from each other. Fire trucks are probably not as rare as you might think, as I’ve seen a few of them since, including one with a 5th wheel.
I just transported a Crosley from Sarasota, FL to Michigan City, IN. 47″ wide and approximately 80″ wheelbase. “Almost” fit nicely into a 6×12′ U-haul.
Pic of my old Crosley fire truck on the LeMay museum website: https://lemaymarymount.org/vehicle/1948-crosley-fire-truck/
And another on a photographer’s Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hugo90/23493576029
I have a fully restored ’47 PU for sale. It is at Copely West if you would like to see it. ……Jim.
14500 for vehicle worth maybe 2500. The world has gone nuts.
I worked at Kiddieland amusement park in Birmingham and the park had one of the firetrucks as a ride for the children and sometimes an adult when a child was scared to ride alone. A friend of mine bought it when the park closed down. He later sold it for a nice profit. What makes the story interesting is the old fellow that drove it drove a model A for his personal transportation.
I also had a friend that had several Crosley’s And I can remember when he borrowed a friends pickup and drove it to Tennessee to bring one of these pickups home in the bed of the pickup I never saw him happier. I forgot to mention that this was in the fifties.
Crosleys represent a civilized era when motoring was also expected to be civilized.
http://www.facebook.com/CrosleyCarClub
Nice sliding door window.
Crosley motors were the hot set-up for 3/4 midget racing back in the day. Very strong and extremely light weight.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/school-me-on-the-crosley-4-banger.35402/
Asking too much for this condition. I have several Crosley’s. A 48 Station wagon in good condition and I would take much less. Maybe $4800.00.
Crosley cars and engines were used in Hmod sports racers in the day.
I have some of that stuff for sale including some Jabro and Braje stuff.
What speed equipment do you have. I’m building a Crosley/Devin race car. ……Jim.
Jim,
Devin body on a Crosley chassis?
I clicked on your name and nothing happened…that didn’t work!
Is it proper to post the list here?
I can email you a list if I get your address.
Jim Liberty – Liberty Motorsports – libertymotorsports356.net – jimliberty356@gmail.com. I bought the car as it was delivered by Devin in 1948. Never worked on. Crosley boxed frame and Crosley motor/drive train.
……………………Jim.
What a rare find!
I just reread through these posts. You should keep the Crosley PU to tow the Devin. People get excited, photo and video when they see the Volvo Estate towing the Volvo racecar…. Both are Amazons.
I’ll send list and photos tonight of lots of period stuff you can use.
Please do. My PU is for sale at Copely West, along with a ’50 Hotshot I restored. I did restore a ’71 Type II VW truck for the Porsche factory. It is used to tow the 917s at vintage events. I’m not sure the PU would pull the Devin. …….Jim.
Jim,
Did you receive the list and photos that I emailed?