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.