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Rare Crosley Kin: 1961 Crofton Bug

It’s not often that a person sees a semi-restomod 1961 Crofton Bug, but here you go. They are incredibly rare and thankfully it doesn’t appear that it has been altered that much. And really, once a person buys a vehicle no matter what it is, they’re free to do whatever they want to with it. This rare Bug can be found listed here on craigslist in Danville, Washington and the seller is asking a healthy $7,500. They mention that they may be up for a partial cash/trade deal, too. Thanks to David R. for sending in this tip!

The Crofton Bug came a few years after the doors were closed at Crosley in 1952 and they were based on the Crosley Farm-O-Road. Just over 200 or so were made between 1958 and 1963 and fewer than 100 remain. You can see that the seller or someone had decked this one out with a roll bar or roll cage, depending on how and/or where you were raised. (cringing, waiting for angry comments on what it’s actually called) It would be handy in case of – wait for it – a rollover, but purists who would want to bring this very rare vehicle back to original spec could probably remove it without too much trouble. The mag wheels are interesting, to say the least, but I like them! I’m not normally an aftermarket wheel guy but there’s something about a vehicle like this with wheels like that and it works.

You probably know by now that these are the only three photos that the seller has uploaded to the craigslist ad. I know, I know, we flew to the moon 51 years ago, landed, walked around for a while, and then flew back to earth but someone selling a $7,500 vehicle only posts three photos. They don’t show the engine and they really don’t give any information about this particular vehicle, just some general info on the Crofton Bug. This one should have had a 44 cubic-inch 35-hp inline-four similar to what Crosley was using at the end of their run. We don’t know how it runs, if it runs, or anything else about it at all so you’ll have to give them a call. Would you keep going with the restomod or bring this rare Bug back to original-spec?

Comments

  1. HoA Howard A Member

    While I think it’s a neat find, it’s not much more than a King Midget, which isn’t much more than a riding lawn mower. I’m simply flabbergasted, one of these on Hemmings is going for $20g’s restored. IDK, this is what people with money to burn spend it on? “What do we do with this one, sir( or madam)?” “Oh, I suppose put it next to the pre-war Harley, and the VW bus”,,,

    Like 7
    • Avatar 63Comet

      And that is precisely what’s wrong. Hoarding cars and inflating their value. But the rest of us will stay creative and do what hot rodders and enthusiasts have always done—find others.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar William Cockayne

    I own one too, a 59 Brawney Bug. 2 Borg warner 3 speeds married to each other in series, crosley based engine, and Dana 25 rear end. Mostly stock. Bought it for $3500 and quickly found out how expensive rare Crofton only parts are and how much they cost. Spent $200 on air cleaner alone. Now have $10,000 into it accumulating all of the missing items, overhauling the drivetrain, and chassis. Still need a windshield frame. This one would probably be sold for close to what they want.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar Dave at OldSchool Restorations

    @Scotty, It’s a cage…
    .
    there actually are “Standards” in automotive writing , like roll bar, roll cage, Survivor, Vintage, etc… but the progressives call things whatever they want today, and “Standards” are a thing of the past
    .
    @Howard A … if you owned a Crosley and saw a King Midget in the 50’s, you would not put them in a similar category.
    ….. Crosleys actually WERE road going cars, with advanced technology, like overhead cam engine that could turn 10k rpm’s and stay together, and disc brakes, and the concept of a Micro Car was way ahead of it’s time in the U.S.A. …. The Midget was not much more engineering than a big go kart.
    .

    Like 5
    • Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

      Thanks, Dave. Now, what do you call the little “cap” on the back of a pickup? A cap? Topper? Canopy?

      Certain “Standards” are also dependant on a person’s location, age, where they were raised, and all sorts of other parameters.

      Like 5
    • HoA Howard A Member

      I can appreciate your interest in these. Crosley’s were way before my time, but from what I read, Crosley’s were not the best. Their motors were of poor design, the disc brakes, while an industry 1st, were crude as well. Your idea of a road car differs greatly from mine, and for where this was intended to go, you can get an ATV better equipped, with A/C and heat even and enough left over to buy a real road car, a GTO maybe?

      Like 2
  4. Avatar dogwater

    Does a clown hat come with the mower?

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Lance

    I’ll take the tub Nash . If I want a Gator I’ll get one from John Deere.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar chrlsful

    and ROPS if ona rig like this (farm ‘tractor’). Yeah, glad it doesn’t have the 1st engine – copper, wasn’t it? But I’d use as is: a lill 2 WD ‘jeep 4 around the acreage outside of Seattle…

    gimmie a MOAK for a lill more adventure (4 WD);

    But most of all? I’d like one of those ’47/52 Crosley SW for the road…

    https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1947-52-crosley-station-wagon

    Like 1

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