1947 Sedan
CC, models, which included the station wagon, pickup, convertible, panel delivery and sedan were introduced in 1946. Production, ran through 1948 when they were replaced by the more modern-looking CD versions. All CCs had six-inch mechanical brakes and a single taillight (right light was optional). When the CCs rolled off the assembly line on May 9, 1946, they were one of the first U.S. production cars to be redesigned in the immediate post-war era, and the first with slab-sided bodies. By 1947, Crosley had more than 600 dealerships and stopped selling its cars through department stores. As one of the most popular Crosleys sold this year, the 1,150-lb. 1947 sedan drew the attention of just over 14,000 buyers and sold for less than $900. Today $1,900 will fetch an example in decent condition just like the one shown below.
1948 Sport Utility
With the Sport Utility, Crosley proved again to be way ahead of its time, at least in name. Starting in 1947 but sold as a 1948, the Sport Utility, which weighed a paltry 1,160 lbs, was basically a variation of the station wagon and not the urban four-wheel driver we know that name to refer to today. It was a rather stark two-door affair, and mid-way through the 1948 Crosley production run they were cosmetically modified with bolt-on grille bars and a bullnose ornament that was fixed between the headlights. With sales figures peaking this year at almost 28,000 models, 1948 proved to be the most lucrative year for Crosley. Today one of these cute utes will cost about $1,500. This was also a monumental year for the company’s station wagons. More than 31,000 units were sold, which was more than the total wagon output of the Big Three.
1949 Convertible
With its record high sales figures the previous year, the future for Crosley seemed bright. By the end of 1949 though, total units sold had plummeted to just under 9,000. The Big Three was offering cars with more horsepower and sleek new post-war styling, which attracted the attention of the car-buying public. Additional internal problems resulted in the recall of many stamped steel engines getting replaced by cast-iron units that produced the same power and the once thought to be innovative disc brakes were replaced by larger nine-inch hydraulic brakes by 1950. With only 645 units built, this $860 convertible was one of the lowest production Crosleys ordered this year. Today, one of these tiny convertibles will only cost $3,200.
1949 Hotshot
The sporty Hot Shot was added to the Crosley lineup in 1949. With its bug-eye headlights and door-less body, it was a really unique vehicle. To improve stopping ability, four-wheel Goodyear-Hawley aircraft-style disc brakes replaced the mechanical drum brakes. This was yet another of Crosley’s many firsts. The Hot Shot was the first post-war U.S. production sports car and the only one ever offered with four-wheel disc brakes and an overhead cam engine. Despite these innovative features, only 750 Hot Shots were built and at $850 they sold for much less than more common manufacturers’ base-level cars did. There had not been another sports car like it before nor one like it since, which is why this model remains one of the most valuable Crosleys and can cost as much as $7,800.
1950 Farm-O-Road
The open cab Farm-O-Road had dual rear wheels and could be ordered with a full set of attachments including a hydraulic drawbar and front or rear power take-off. Under the skin, the tiny hauler used a cast-iron 44-cu.in. four-cylinder engine, traditional cam-and-lever steering, and a 5.38:1 rear axle ratio. With a total of eight car models and the Farm-O-Road for buyers to choose from, the rest of the Crosley lineup was quite grand this year. Unfortunately, all this variety did little to bring in customers and less than 7,000 Crosleys were sold. Although its original price was around $800, a price closer to $2,000 is what you can expect to pick one up for today. This unique truck is a part of the Hemmings collection.
1951 Super Sports
The first year for the Super Sports was 1950, but production continued through 1952 with very few changes. Nothing more than a dressed-up Hot Shot, the Super Sports featured full doors, a folding top and fancier trim. In 1950, a bone stock Super Sports with the number 19 hastily stenciled on the hood was raced at Sebring and actually won its class. It was said that the tiny car had such good handling and a low enough top speed that the drivers didn’t even have to lift off the throttle through the turns. In 1951, Hot Shot and Super Sports production was grouped together and only totaled 646. At $1,029, the Super Sports roadster cost about $80 less than the Hot Shot, however their weights were both claimed to be 1,180 lbs. Overall Crosley sales in 1951 were just over 11,000 units. Although this figure was about 4,000 higher than the previous year, the company’s end was in sight. A Super Sports today will yield about $7,600.
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