Crosley

2007-09-05T11:24:29Z

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{{List of Crosley Models}}The '''Crosley''' is an [[automobile]] manufactured by the ''Crosley Corporation'' and later by ''Crosley Motors Incorporated'' in the United States from 1939 to 1952. (It must not be confused with the [[Crossley]] made by ''Crossley Motors'' of Manchester, England.)

==History==
Industrialist [[Powel Crosley Jr.]] of Cincinnati, Ohio, owner of a broadcasting company and the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, had ambitious plans to build a [[compact car]] and developed assembly plants at Richmond, Indiana, and Marion, Indiana. In May, 1939, the first car was shown at the [[Indianapolis Speedway]]. It was a two-door [[convertible]] that weighed under 1000 lb (450 kg) and sold for $250. It wasn't an instant success, but in 1941 more body styles were introduced.

The chassis had an 80-inch (203 cm) [[wheelbase]], half elliptic springs with beam [[axle]] in front and quarter elliptics in the rear. The power came from a two-cylinder [[Waukesha]] air-cooled engine that had the fan as a part of the [[flywheel]]. The engine was connected with a three-speed [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] and then directly via a torque tube to the rear axle, thus eliminating the need for [[joint]]s.

In 1941 the body styles available were expanded to include two- and four-passenger convertibles, a convertible [[sedan]], a [[station wagon]], a panel [[truck]], a [[Pickup truck|pickup]], and two models called "Parkway Delivery" (a mini-panel with no roof over the front seat) and "Covered Wagon" (a convertible [[pickup truck]] with a removable [[back seat]]).

During World War II, the Crosley became attractive because of [[gasoline]] rationing and the good mileage (50 miles per U.S. gallon, 5 L/100 km). Crosley was the last company to cease production of civilian vehicles in 1942, partly to allow car buyers the opportunity to purchase as many Crosleys as possible to aid in fuel rationing, and partly because the War Production Board needed some time to determine a useful purpose for Crosley's small factories.

Civilian car production resumed in 1945, but only at the Marion plant; the Richmond facility had been sold during the war years. The [[Crosley HotShot]] was the first post-war [[sports car]] produced in the United States. It was also the first U.S. car to have [[disc brake]]s.

With 24,871 cars sold, the best year was 1948. Although there were four models, including the [[Crosley Hotshot]] and a combination [[farm tractor]] and 4X4 road vehicle called the Farm-O-Road, sales continued to decline. In 1952, only 1522 Crosley cars were sold. Production ceased that year, and the plant was sold to the [[General Tire and Rubber Company]].

The [[Crosley Hotshot]] won the first Sebring endurance sports car race in 1950.

==Discontinued Models==
[[Crosley Hot Shot]]

[[Crosley FarmORoad]]

[[Crosley Series 1A]]

[[Crosley Series 2A]]

[[Crosley Series CB41]]

[[Crosley Series CB42]]

[[Crosley CC Four]]

[[Crosley CD Four]]

==See Also==

==External Links==
*[http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Crosley Crosley Car Owners Club (CCOC)]
*[[Crosley Car Owners Club]] (CCOC) History
*[http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/garage/7896/crosley.htm CROSLEY A Compact born 30 years too soon!]
*[http://www.cac.crosley.net/ Crosley Automobile Club Inc.]
*[http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Crosley/ Category at ODP]
*[http://home.earthlink.net/~mherman/crosley.html The Crosley Automobile — A Fine Car]
*[http://www.crosleyradio.com Crosley Radio]

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Discontinued Makes]]

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Crosley