1941 Crosley CB41 Convertible Coupe

Industrialist Powel Crosley Jr. of Cincinnati, owner of Crosley Broadcasting Co. and the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, among other business interests, had ambitious plans to build subcompact cars.  Crosley had built his first automobile at the age of twelve, and in 1907, at the age of twenty-one, formed Marathon Six Automotive in Connersville, Indiana.  Crosley built a prototype of the "Marathon Six," a 6 cylinder automobile priced at $1,700 which was at the low end of the luxury car market.  The financial success of his manufacturing and radio broadcasting businesses provided the funds for Crosley to pursue his lifelong interest in manufacturing automobiles.  He introduced the first Crosley compact car in 1939.

For consignment, a 1941 Crosley CB41 Convertible Coupe which for all intents and purposes is an original and unrestored example.  Our consignor simply maintained the car for the past 14 years and had purchased it off of a friend prior to their passing.  This nifty little car is a convertible and think of all the fun you will have running about town with top down and performing in a 1 car parade on Main Street!

Exterior
As with many cars of the early 40's, we lead the way with a V shaped hood flanked by rounded exterior mounted fenders on either side.  The grille is closed and venting for cooling is on the bottom of the front end just above a simple slightly curved bumper.  On either side are the original Motolamp headlights, which still are in working order.  Just aft of the front fender is a slight running board which dies mid door and becomes the rocker framing.  The doors are front hinged and have metal framing for the glass on their tops.  The back of the car is almost pickup like and is elongated for plenty of room for the back passengers.  Another rounded fender is off of either side and in back is an angled rear tail with a wrapped in canvas covering spare tire attached to the back.  A white canvas top is covering the passenger compartment and looks in very good condition appearing newer then original.  It moves up and down easily manually.  Overall the paint is good, somewhat patina'd and with slight rub off on various areas throughout the bodywork but as per our consignor, it too is original.  Also, various areas of orange peel paint as well as a few dents and dings.  Original 12-inch steel wheels are painted red and have a central CROSLEY badged moon cap and are wrapped by 4.50x12 thin whitewall rubber.  Our consignor also states that all glass and mirrors are original.

Interior
Opening the sliding glass doors reveals some red vinyl door panels with dual storage openings on their bottoms.  As I cross the threshold in metal I sit upon simple curved low back red vinyl buckets which are mounted on open black painted metal frames.  These are original and look in good condition with slight rub off on their edges.  A rear bench with red vinyl is also present and in very nice condition.  A very simple all steel dash is straight and all steel with a trio of white faced gauges in the center. A  few pulls and buttons are here as is a horizontal trim piece above and below the gauges.  The original black Bakelite steering wheel is fronting the dash and floors are all blue painted steel.  Simple but all there for your viewing and monitoring of the vitals.

Drivetrain
Opening the V shaped hood reveals mostly the gas tank and battery and secondary in the very front of the space is the engine.  It is a 35.3 flat 2 cylinder engine which is air cooled, hence no need for the open grille!  It produces a whopping 12hp and has a 1-barrel carburetor on top feeding it.  On back is a 3-speed manual transmission, and rear wheels are driven by a 5.40 axle.  All is fairly clean and wiring is supple and plentiful for the small space.

Undercarriage
Undercoated and patina with some surface rust in various areas, however we do note some invasive rust on the drivers side rocker below the door.  That said, the framing is still solid, and mechanicals for the suspension include leaf springs for the front, and quarter elliptical leaf springs for the back.  Drums brakes are all around.

Drive-Ability
All it took was a turn of the key and the push of a bottom and she fired right up and ran smoothly.  It accelerated gently and got up to speed in due time, but hey it's not a muscle car!  All functions were working and it is a fun little car to drive as well as a real head turner. The top is waterproof and moves up and down nicely.

Mostly original and in good condition which is more than I can say for other examples which have been through the mall, and indeed there have not been many.  A somewhat rare bird, and one of the first mini compact cars to be produced in the USA.  All original save for the top and looking fab!

39030213

39-Model Year Introduction Starting 1939
03-3rd Production Year (1941)
0213-Sequential Unit Number

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.