1951 Crosley Series CD

Powel Crosley Jr. pioneered the low-cost radio receiver, then founded WLW, a high-power broadcasting station in Cincinnati, Ohio, to give his radios something to receive. His Crosley Shelvador refrigerator had shelves in the door which proved so popular it set the pattern for future modern fridges. In 1939, he introduced a small, low-cost car called the Crosley automobile. Crosley had experience building auto parts and accessories, so building a car was not a dramatic leap at first glance. To keep costs to a minimum, the Crosley interior was Spartan and lacked non-essential items. Power was from an air-cooled Waukesha flat-twin engine backed by a three-speed manual gearbox. They had meager dimensions but had several notable innovations, including being the first American cars with 4-wheel caliper type disc brakes (introduced in 1949), the first mass-American-produced Overhead Camshaft engine, and the distinction of coining the term, 'Sports Utility.'

When World War II came to a close, Crosley moved his car upmarket with a four-cylinder engine designed for military use by Lloyd Taylor. The engine had a block of steel cylinders, a tin-plated sheet metal water jacket, and a shaft-driven overhead cam. It was called the Crosley Cobra (COpper BRAzed) and weighed just under 60 pounds. Body styles initially consisted of a convertible and a two-door sedan. In 1948, a steel-roofed station wagon was added, which soon became the most popular body style in the lineup.

The Crosley sold for around $850 and could achieve 45 miles to a gallon. Approximately 75,000 of these small economy cars were built and sold prior to production coming to a close in 1952 due to the larger, more popular cars of the era.

by Dan Vaughan

The diminutive Crosley was constructed in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1939 through 1952. This would mark the last of the American attempts to mass-produce a microcar. Among the highlights of Crosley Motors were the first fleetside, full bed pickup in 1947, the first disc brakes on an American car (1949), and the winner of the first Sebring race, using the European handicap system in 1950. In 1948, they built more station wagons than any other United States automakers.

Crosley introduced its restyled cars in November of 1948 and featured new front-end sheet metal. They were available as a Deluxe Sedan, Convertible, and Station Wagon, with prices beginning in the mid $800s. Production never reached high numbers; the first year alone saw a mere 6,679 examples constructed.

On the front of the CD was a Crosley shield medallion with a new type of hood mascot. The wheel openings were reshaped, the front fenders had a new revised shape with the headlights integrated into the front end, and the hood became broader. The license plate holder was moved from the left-hand side to the center of the deck lid.

Though little changed for the 1950 model year, the Crosley Series CD was available as a Standard or Super model, still available as a 2-door sedan, station wagon, or convertible. Powering the car was a four-cylinder engine that displaced 44 cubic inches and produced 26.5 horsepower. It had a three-speed non-synchromesh manual transmission. The wheelbase measured 80 inches.

On July 3rd, 1952, the production of the Crosley Series CD ceased.

by Dan Vaughan