Crosley

Crosley Motors Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Probably the most advanced automobile manufacturer in America during the post-WW11 years was Crosley. Owned by Powel Crosley Jr. They pioneered the construction of quality small cars to an indifferent nation raised on high speed and cheap petrol. Crosley was a self made millionaire whose companies sold more radios than anyone in the world, manufactured refridgerators and owned a profesional baseball team. But his fist love was the automobile business despite the fact that it would cost him money not make it. The first Crosley had it's public debut at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Powered by an air cooled 15hp Waukesha twin that was developed from an orchard sprayer motor, the little car had an 80 inch wheelbase. Convertible coupe, sedan and station wagon bodies were offered. The first models had numerous problems, but they were ironed out by the time production ceased in 1942 due to the USA entry into World War 11. During the war Crosley bought the rights to a lightweight 4 cylinder stationary engine with a fixed head and a copper-brazed sheet metal block called the Cobra. This high revving 717 cc ohc engine powered the next generation of Crosley cars. Vehicle production resumed in 1946 with new larger models. With the other auto manufacturers unable to meet demand, Crosleys were popular and over 28,000 were sold in 1948 alone. However, by 1949 full-sized cars were back into full production at roughly the same price as the Crosley, and the Cobra engine proved to have corrosion problems. It was replaced with the CIBA engine, a revamped Cobra with cast iron block assembly and an integral cylinder head. In 1949 Crosley became the first company in the world to adopt 4-wheel disc brakes. The same year Crosley introduced the Hotshot, a tiny, doorless sports car that was highly successful in racing, winning the Index of Performance at Sebring in 1951. A fancier version with doors called the Super Sports followed, but sales continued to slip and Crosley ceased automotive operations in 1952.