Powell Crosley had the great idea of introducing economy cars to the American consumer on a large scale.  The only problem the appliance magnate had was that he was a few decades too early.  Despite an immediate postwar boost in sales due to scarcity, the against the stream concept ended up being a bust.  While Crosley car production ended in 1952, there has always been a fair amount of collector interest in these spartan little cars.  This 1948 Crosley convertible, an older restoration being sold on craigslist out of Dinwiddie, Virginia, may entice more than a few raised eyebrows among aficionados of this quirky brand.  Why?  The price is at a market low of $4,200.  Thanks to Ian C. for the tip!

While Crosleys were an inexpensive car in their day, market prices for cars in good condition have been anything but.  Driven by high auction prices and a newfound appreciation for microcars, good Crosleys have been bringing low five digit prices for convertibles, Hot Shots, and Super Sports.  Are they worth it?  In the case of the Hot Shots and Super Sports, they probably are.  These were milestone sports cars, with one even winning the index of performance at the first Sebring sportscar race.  The regular convertibles are famous for a starring role in the Porky’s trilogy of movies but little else.

Still, you can’t help but like them for their cute looks and diminutive style.  These little cars were well built but underpowered even in their day.  The 44 cubic inch engine was a novel design first used during World War II to power generators for the Navy.  Called the CoBra for the novel copper brazing method of steel stampings to create the upper block.  The bottom end was cast aluminum.  The little engine performed beyond expectations in the wartime generators, but use in automobiles proved troublesome.  Galvanatic action between the dissimilar metals and the corrosive effects of the antifreezes of the time lead to a number of premature failures.  Crosley switched to a cast iron block in 1949, and you will find this block under the hood of nearly all running Crosleys today.

Speaking of the word running, there is no mention about this car’s ability to propel itself.  The ad simply says that it has been in storage for a number of years and was an older restoration.  That word means different things to different people.  My guess is that the car was disassembled, painted, and freshened up wherever possible.  A few things like the seats, sill plates, and the condition of the paint in a few areas point to this not being a restoration equivalent to an AACA Senior award.  That is OK though.  What came out the other side was a presentable car to have fun with.

You can see the lack of preparation in the inner fenders of the engine compartment.  Or, this may also be a car that has sat outside for a while under the dreaded blue tarp.  One clue to this is the water around the battery terminal.  Regardless, the engine compartment looks otherwise tidy and fairly well restored.  The only glaring problems are the rattle canned air filter and lack of tidiness and authenticity in the wiring.  The engine itself appears to be a later cast iron unit.  These engines put out 26.5 horsepower, but could be hopped up with period speed parts to produce almost double that number.

You might enjoy a little more power, but these cars were not designed for current interstate speeds.  With a narrow track, low gearing, and a solid front axle combined with a top heavy design, Crosley sedans are not a vehicle you want to toss around at high speeds.  A car like this is built for runs to the ice cream shop on a warm summer night, or for local car shows.  They are fun, quirky, offbeat cars that few people are familiar with.  Parts are available, and the Crosley Automobile Club can provide lots of support to a new owner.

Do you have room in your shed for this cheap convertible?