NEW PRICE! Last year for Crosley
production. Neat, fun little car that's economical to buy and own.
Great colors, nice convertible top, ready to enjoy at a budget
price.
Sadly, we don't know a lot about this bright yellow roadster other
than the fact that someone really wanted to make sure you saw it
coming. It's clearly been restored and not too long ago, because
the bright yellow paint has a great shine and the basic bodywork
looks great. It's an inexpensive car and always has been, so
perfection was probably not the goal, but as far as micro cars go,
this one can hold its head high in that diminutive crowd. The
slab-sided body is pure function over form, but it, too, manages to
be cheeky and light-hearted, which is all part of the car's appeal.
The doors open and close easily and the hood is actually a
removable panel held in place with a key lock, and it's been fitted
with an eagle hood ornament that's either wholly appropriate or
someone's idea of a joke. Either way, it looks right above the oval
Crosley grille and between the headlights, which pre-date the
bug-eyed Sprite by a few years.
The bright red vinyl interior is basic, but don't think that
because the car is small that there isn't enough room. Your legs
stretch out ahead of you and there's a surprising amount of room
once you're situated behind the wheel. Yes, it's basic, with the
wheel looking a lot like those used during WWII on Army Jeeps, but
the individual bucket seats are comfortable and the gauges have
jaunty red faces. The controls are familiar and that long shifter
manages a simple 3-speed manual transmission that's easy to master
and clutch action is quite light. All the gauges are operational
save for the fuel gauge, the horn works, and, well, there's really
not much to it beyond that. Black carpets on the floor help with
noise and heat and there's a modicum of weather protection offered
by the black canvas convertible top that's insanely easy to erect
and stow. The only notable wear and tear on the interior is a scuff
in the driver's seatback where the convertible top mechanism rubs
against it. Other than that, it's ready to have fun!
Mechanically, it's as small as you'd think with a 44 cubic inch
inline-4 making 26 horsepower, but with a single overhead camshaft,
it's eager to rev and very gutsy. The little four cylinder engine
fits easily in the engine bay and offers great service access,
adding to the car's durable appeal. It starts easily and runs well,
using a single downdraft carburetor, and there's a rorty exhaust
bark from out back. It wants to play! It's not finicky and has all
the usual hardware, from a mechanical fuel pump to a heater with
shut-off valves. Up front there's a giant radiator given the size
of the engine, so it never seems to get very warm, and it has great
oil pressure both at idle and at speed. It's not really detailed
for show, but it's serviceable and tidy with obvious signs of
recent maintenance, suggesting that someone loved the car and
wanted to enjoy it properly.
The 3-speed manual transmission shifts easily, and with a little
practice you'll easily master the slightly long throws (inevitable
with that funky shifter). It's obviously not a highway car, with
5.17 gears out back, but you'd have to be crazy to want to run this
little car among the semis and SUVs hammering along at 80 MPH. No,
this little Super Sport is happiest on a quiet country road where
you can wring it out in each gear, letting the eager little engine
do its thing at about 45-50 MPH. The suspension is equally basic,
with rigid axles fore and aft and there's a drum brake at each
corner. Sporting red wheels are 12 inches in diameter and carry
relatively recent 4.50-12 Goodyear tires.
1952 was the final year of Crosley production and only 1522
vehicles were built, only a fraction of which were Super Sport
roadsters. This isn't a perfect car, but it offers a lot of fun and
will generate more attention than cars costing ten times as much.
We have to admit that it's endearing to have the little yellow
roadster greet us each morning and we love the idea that you can
still have fun in this hobby on a shoestring budget.
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
