Crosley was a small, independent U.S. manufacturer of subcompact cars, albeit microcars. They were in business from 1939 to 1952, with auto production interrupted by World War II. All sorts of distinct types of vehicles were built but the volumes were never enough to keep the company afloat past the early 1950s. This 2-door sedan, a basic model called the CC, is a 1947 edition, and we’re told it runs but needs essentials like seat covers. They were simple little cars and the price for this one is pretty low, at $2,275. Another tip from T.J., this Crosley is located in North Hollywood, California, and is available here on craigslist.
All of Crosley’s products were light in weight, ranging from 1,100 to 1,400 lbs. The company was responsible for several firsts in American auto production, such as the first affordable, mass-market car with an overhead camshaft engine and the first to be fitted with 4-wheel caliper type disc brakes. The majority of the vehicles used a platform with an 80-inch wheelbase and leaf springs.
The 1946 CC was largely a new model and the first car Crosley built after the war. Much was new, from the body to the engine, while the rest of the drivetrain was pre-war. The small engine, which produced 26 hp, had its roots in military production. We don’t know a lot about the seller’s car other than it will move under its own power, though the tires are cracked from age and they need to be the first things replaced.
The body is covered with scratches, dings, and one dent, and the paint was once green, though mostly primer now. The stark interior is even more basic than when it was new as the seats are nothing but frames waiting on material. The seller has replaced the gas tank and rebuilt the starter, so if you can take care of the more obvious stuff up front, you could probably drive the little car and surprise folks who’ve never heard of a Crosley. All at 35 miles per gallon of gasoline!
Powell Crosley was an innovator into cars, radios and radio broadcasting plus appliances. He invented the shelf in the refrigerator door, the Crosley shelvador.
But he ALWAYS bought motorola radios for his cars!!
And Zeniths, but by then he’d already left the Crosley Corporation to concentrate on Crosley Motors, Inc. and the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.
These were the cars junkyards stuck up on a pole with a painted on sign saying ‘Auto Parts’ and and arrow.
The sheer fact that these diminutive Crowley automobiles were designed and built in the US is fascinating, to me anyway. Being originally from Europe, I can almost guarantee that only very few people in Europe have ever heard that name and would be just as fascinated as I am; the number of various models is incredible as well. Just 2 weeks ago I saw a whole collection of Crosley at the Martin museum in The Phoenix area. Who were the buyers of those tiny cars? How did they fit in the traffic among the behemoths of the time?
According to a survey at the time, Crosleys were very popular among nurses.
Yes, in England we had Crossley cars, a totally different brand.
I always wanted to get one of these and put a 60hp flathead in it with a ford 3 speed trans – anyone know if it would fit and if the frame would handle it ?
Bob dog, a 60 hp flathead and a Ford 3speed in this care? Sure it could be done but it would take three things: time, money, and know how. If you’re deficient in any of those things, it ain’t gonna happen however with time, money and know how; you could put an Allison aircraft engine in that car.
I have a Crosley pickup with V8 60/40 Ford trans, toyota front disc brakes,Vega steering. It barely fits and with radiator out? You can almost set the dual points! Oh yeah,13″wheels/ tires!
How on earth did those body designs get approved?
I live a few blocks away from Powell Crosley’s mansion it’s still beautiful
Greg,
Yes, he and his wife Gwen had a lovely home and a fascinating neighbor as well; John Ringling, of circus fame!
Years ago I saw a photo of the garage at Seagate, the 3 bays held 2 Packards and a Crosley Hotshot!
In 1946, my Dad had an accident with a Yellow Cab in Riverside Ca. This, just after WW 2 ended, few cars were available to buy. I remember he taking a test drive in a Crosley station wagon, a quite utilitarian car for its time. He liked it but still yearned for his 1941 Oldsmobile with Hydramatic. Instead he bought a Crosley Shelvador refrigerator.
The microcar market has been white-hot for a long time, but it seems Crosleys have been left behind. If this was an Isetta, there would be another zero at the end of the price. It mystifies me why they are still so cheap.
There is a Facebook group for Crosley owners. It is a very tight knit community. There was a Crosley with a stamped metal engine that they developed right after the war which was not good at all.
Crosleys are much loved by their owners. The models plagued with the stamped engines often have them replaced with an older, newer, or entirely different engine.
I believe the copper brazed engines were originally developed for stationary use, and performed well powering generators and similar applications. They didn’t adapt well to the demands of automotive use though.
The Crosley Car Owners Club is http://www.facebook.com/CrosleyCarClub .
The way things are going, 35 mpg doesn’t sound bad.
The engine lived on when Lou Fageol bought the rights to build them. It became the Fageol 44 boat engine. You see them on Ebay under Fageol. Lou won many events in hydro plane racing but not in the Crosley. A class of racing boats known as yellow jackets still compete.
And Powell Crosley drove a Duesenberg! Maybe he kept one of these in the trunk!
Being 8 years younger than my brother. I wasn’t too interested in his endeavors. However,, I do remember he had a cute little Crosley. It had the same front as our feature car,, but I don’t remember the rear looking like that.. I think his was less fastback and more conventional roofline. He put a wild hand painted paint job on it.
Then he joined the marines and I don’t know what happened to the Crosley. When he got out, he purchased a new 1967 Pontiac GTO
Roughly speaking this is about the length and height of a modern Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris hatchback, but significantly narrower (some sources say Crosleys were designed to be shipped two abreast in a railroad boxcar) and on a much shorter wheelbase.
Doesn’t look like overhead camshaft, I think overhead valve.
It’s an overhead-cam engine, Wayne. With five main bearings, too. A tough, high-revving little Mill.
Nope, single overhead cam. Gear driven from the crank
ps: 5 main bearings too!
Sit it on a Speedway T chassis, 85 hp flattie, four speed, quick change, wire wheels frt and rear with the rear outside the body, the frt axle two to three feet past the grille, moon tank between the rails. Black with red wheels and interior, frt and rear axles and bars red.
Had a ’49 station wagon that we replaced the body with a ’48 sedan body. It had the cast iron engine. Fun car but you don’t go charging into corners with these guys. Got it up on two wheels a couple times to find that out the hard way. Had a friend with a ’50 with a well worked engine that pulled 88 hp at 10,000 rpm out of it. Saw several SCCA Vintage sports racers with these engines putting out the same power. Wildest sports racer from that era I saw was powered by a Mercury 4 cylinder outboard engine.
My Dad gave me a 46 convertable. Had the tin engine which didn’t last too long. It froze up when driving one day. Dad said just junk it. I was sad too. Loved that little car. It was yellow with a black top and red wheels. Came from the factory that way.
That would have been the stamped metal engine which really hurt the company’s reputation. As mentioned, the heavier conventional cast block engine was well designed and reliable if not particularly powerful. It was adequate given the extreme lightness of these cars.
I have never seen one in Canada, but as a Midget owner I would live to one day get my hands on a Slingshot.
I’m really drawn to ridiculously small cars.
I want this car! How do you contact the seller?
Guy,
The problem with Craigslist ads is once they expire, the website does not maintain any contact info. If you are lucky, you might find other car magazines where the owner advertised the car for sale.