Original Patina: 1946 Crosley Sedan

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All we know about this long-time-stored 1946 Crosley panel two-door sedan is that it “needs restoration,” and that the “engine is out and turns free.” The owner may consider parting it out. It’s on Facebook Marketplace in Easton, Connecticut, a rural town a few miles from where I live. The owner wants only $1,750 for this 41,000-mile car, which seems appropriate.

One thing this Crosley has in spades is patina. It was used by Shappee’s Lawnmower Shop, Dial 2-6885. That phone number was in use a long time ago. Crosley made a cute panel van, but this is not one of those. Interestingly, they could get lawnmowers into it, but the push variety in vogue then was fairly small.

This base Crosley is rough. Some glass is missing, and everything has surface rust. It’s been sitting a long time. The right side of the two-part windshield is missing, and the back glass is cracked. No seats or other interior details are evident. Though hardly pristine, the body is solid enough, and the floor looks good. The instruments are still there, as is the radio speaker grille.

The cheap-and-cheerful Crosley is a bit of a cult car, so some parts are available through the clubs. The cars were built in Cincinnati by Powel Crosley, Jr. (a radio pioneer), from 1939 to 1952, with production interrupted by World War II. The range was ambitious, with a Hotshot sports model (from 1949), the aforementioned panel van, station wagons (popular), sedans, pickups, convertibles, and a Jeep-type thing.

Crosley produced the first mass-market car with an overhead-cam engine in 1946, and used the phrase “Sport Utility” as early as 1947. The cars weighed 1,100-1,500 pounds, and were body-on-frame with front and rear solid axles and leaf springs. The tiny engines had displacement of only 61 cubic inches (less than a liter). The Crosleys sold well until gas rationing was rolled back, and the company lasted only seven years after the war.

Classic.com has the 1947-1948 Crosley at only $16,141. So, restoring this one would probably not turn out to be economic. It’s got some good panels, though, to aid an ongoing sedan turnaround. And maybe that engine is good. Alternatively, it could make a great advertising vehicle parked outside a place that fixed lawnmowers. It won’t take much money to buy this car.

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    My first car but mine was a ’48 body on a former ’49 station wagon frame with the cast iron engine. That’s what you see here and that’s good. Reason for the body change was the fact the wagon was used as a chicken coup with no way to get the smell out of it.

    Like 7
  2. davecvgnyc

    61 cubic inches is a liter.

    Like 3
  3. Howard A. Howard A.Member

    I always get a kick how some folks with unusual last names, tend to gravitate towards a business with like meaning. “Shappee” looks a lot like
    “Sharpies”, I saw a place. “Aeplers Apples”, hair stylists have catchy names too, and that 5 digit number isn’t that old. I read, name abbreviation prefix on phone numbers began in the 20s. If the community was small enough, all that was needed was the 5 numbers, so could easily be from the 50s or 60s. Aside from some cute business prop on a pole somewhere, I don’t think there’s any interest to restore it.
    I guess now is as good a time as any, perfect LS swap candidate,,,

    Like 3
    • John EderMember

      California VW repair shop: “Doug’s Bougs”

      Like 2
    • Bellingham Fred

      With its history and signage, I say nay to an LS, go with B/S. Briggs and Stratton.

      Like 6
    • Blu

      My hometown in Iowa had 5 digit phone numbers into the 70s

      Like 0
    • David Reeves

      My grandparents had their name + number telephone number until 1971. When BellSouth renumbered to the current system the prefix became 666 and my grandmother and her friends lobbied against it hard enough that half of the ZIP code became 662. Its stayed the same until now but current businesses at the strip mall down the street still retain 666. Different times.

      Like 0
  4. Lovin' Old Cars!

    Be the only one on your street, block, city, county, state, in the country, in the world with one!

    Like 0
  5. Steve A

    Grab a still running Chevette as a donor, and switch bodies.

    Like 1
  6. Wademo

    I wish it was closer, I would love to have it at that price. Wouldn’t restore it. Engine would be a great conversation piece. The body would be a great prospect for a Harley V-Twin transplant. Maybe I should be thankful it isn’t closer!

    Like 2
  7. Angel_Cadillac_Diva Angel Cadillac DivaMember

    That’s it! (I think) that front end is unmistakable. My brother had a Crosely. I was always fascinated by that front end “beak,” and no actual grill. I was only 7 when he had it so I don’t remember too much about it except I think it was a station wagon and he hand painted it like a mural. There was bright yellow hood, with two dark blue “stars” (4 point) and other designs. Kinda cute for the early 1960s. But gosh, this brings back the memories.

    Like 1
  8. Paolo

    I wouldn’t change a thing, just get it running and safe to drive as possible and have endless joy everywhere you drive it.

    Like 1
  9. Paolo

    Or Hayabusa time.

    Like 0
  10. Will

    I know how he got lawn mowers inside! Check out the pic of the rear. There are three hinges to swivel the rear panel up. It was obviously hacked just below the rear light (window) as the Crosley never had a trunk lid.
    Sloppy… but effective. This car was certainly never loved. “Rode hard ‘n put away wet.”

    Like 2
    • bobhess bobhessMember

      Good eye Will.

      Like 1
  11. chrlsful

    I love them all just give me the CIBA not the copper block CoBra.
    Bring ‘em back !
    /OR/
    a similar designed EV. I bet there’s a few cities that could use the industry of ice or ev…

    Like 0

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