Vehicle Description
1951 Crosley CD Station Wagon
It was a simple idea: make a small, basic car which would be cheap
to operate and soon the world would be clamoring for it.
Unfortunately, this was in 1939 and in the automotive world at this
time, this was a weird idea. Powel Crosley, Jr., however, was a man
who was used to having weird ideas and his ideas had made him a
fortune. In 1939, he incorporated Crosley Motors and began
assembling mini-cars in Richmond Indiana. The first Crosley was a
two-door convertible. It weighed less than 1,000 pounds and sold
for $250. In the beginning, his idea was for these small cars to be
sold in department stores that also sold his radios and
refrigerators: since the car was only 48 inches wide, it could be
moved through a standard commercial store door. While there were
some stores, such as Macy's in New York, that displayed Crosley
automobiles next to the Crosley refrigerators, the idea of selling
cars in department stores did not really catch on. According to
some reports, Mrs. Averell Harriman was the first Macy's customer
to buy a Crosley.
For consignment, from a manufacturer thinking ahead of its time by
offering subcompact cars to the American consumer. Crosley Motors
had a small niche in the crowded auto marketplace of postwar
America. The writing was on the wall for Crosley, when in 1951 a
mere 4,839 cars were sold and this car before us is one of them.
Most Americans were living under the guise of bigger is better, so
the concept of a micro-car didn't fit the bill for most. Offered to
you is this 1951 Crosley CD station wagon appearing as an older
restoration showing its age and fresh out of dry storage.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
Small but any stylish would best describe this small scale station
wagon. This example, wearing the results of an older restoration
and bathed in an era correct Ocean Foam Green, shows a few flaws in
the form of rust bubbling, some surface rust at the seams of the
roof, and various chips, but still retaining a deep lustrous shine.
Otherwise, decently straight steel with well minded gaps present
nicely as this mini wagon does a splendid job emulating the looks
of the wagons produced by the larger, (both in size and volume),
automakers of the day. Much smaller scale though but still using
the curved hood, integral fender mounted rounded headlights and
twin bar propeller added grille. Long, (think relatively), slab
sides are adorned with veneer woodgrain inserts on the rear
quarters. Some color fade and peel off of the veneer is noted on
the driver's side. The chrome, while pitted in areas, adds some
nice flair to the body and works well with the belt line and mid
body stainless spear. Unmarred glass surrounds the passenger
compartment and on the back is more wood veneer on the dual opening
tailgate, which again is presenting with some peelings, and is
flanked by small round tail/signal lights. Ocean Foam painted
12-inch wheels with chrome Crosley moon capped centers are on all 4
corners and are wrapped in thin whitewall 5.50-12 rubber.
Interior
Swinging open the light but long, again relative, doors we see 2
low back buckets covered in aqua-marine vinyl and in the back we
see a simple bench in matching material. Some seam separation can
be noted on the base of the driver's bucket at the hinge point, but
all else remains in good condition with only minor soiling. These
are fronted by an aqua-marine metal dash with a chrome trimmed,
silver backed red face Crosley gauge cluster in front of the
driver. In the center is an open hole where the factory radio once
lived along with a few knobs and the ignition. Facing the passenger
is an aqua mesh speaker grille. Ribbed black rubber matting floods
the floors and from under the dash rises the long arm black
shifter. More aqua-marine vinyl for the inserts on the doors and
rear side panels, all showing with some wrinkling. Chrome actuators
grace these doors but alas, the windows don't wind down, they just
slide halfway open. Rounding out the tour, a black melamine
headliner hangs above and shows with some waviness.
Drivetrain
A lift of the mini hood reveals a once restored engine bay, but now
showing some patina and surface rust in the battery tray. This sums
up as a 44ci 4-cylinder power plant. This was a tiny, but very
potent and surprisingly durable engine. It had a very long
production life that surpassed Crosley by decades. The engine is
backed up by a three-speed transmission which sends power to a 5.17
geared rear axle.
Undercarriage
A mix of strong black framing, aqua flooring and some patina from
the ages greet us with a peek underneath but all appears to remain
solid. Leaf spring suspension is seen fore and aft, and drum brakes
are noted on all 4's. A stock style single exhaust system is on to
handle spent fossil removal.
Drive-Ability
While able to be turned over by hand, we did not make an attempt to
start this fresh from hibernation mini-wagon.
A not oft seen example of a mini-car that has all the styling of
the big boys rolling down main street. An older restoration,
showing some age but not so far gone as to be in need of a full
redux at this point. With a little TLC and tinkering you'll be the
belle of the ball at your next car meet. Swing by our Hallowed
Halls and enjoy the smaller things in life.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
