1948 Crosley Model CC Station Wagon

In sort of 'cart before the horse,' Powel Crosley, Jr. pioneered a low-cost radio receiver. Shortly thereafter, he founded WLW, a high-power broadcasting station in Cincinnati, Ohio, to give his radio's something to receive. He was an individual who dabbled in many different industries, including refrigeration. He created a Crosley Shelvador refrigerator with shelves in the door. This design would become the standard for all modern fridges. In 1939, he introduced the Crosley automobile. His vehicles were small and offered at a low cost. The first was a Spartan roadster with power from an air-cooled Waukesha flat-twin engine.

The cars were simple, quaint, and not all that popular. They were good on fuel consumption and city driving due to their small size and engine. After the Second World War, Crosley moved his cars upmarket with a four-cylinder engine designed by Lloyd Taylor for military use. The Crosley was offered in two body styles after the war, including a two-door sedan and convertible. The station wagon was added in 1948 and soon became their most popular model.

This 1948 Crosley Model CC Station Wagon was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA, presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $4,000 - $6,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $4,400, including the buyer's premium.

The odometer displays 22,440 miles, and it is powered by a four-cylinder OHC engine that displaces a mere 44 cubic inches and produces 26.5 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The wheelbase is just 80 inches and held in place by a solid front axle and live rear axle. The surface of the car has some rust but appears solid. The doors close well, and the engine has a replacement CIBA cast iron block. The interior, trim, bumper and many other areas of the car is in poor condition. Thankfully for the new owner, Crosley's are rather simple, so the restoration should be straightforward.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007