1942 Crosley CB-42

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 powered by 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.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2010