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The Crosley Special pictured at left was purchased by it's current owners, in the mid 1980's, and restored in the tradition of an SCCA H-modified "special". At left it is seen in it's present glory "dicing" with some of the greatest sports cars of all time, at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, at Laguna Seca... |
For the uninitiated, the Crosley automobile was the brain child of "the pride of Cincinnati", Powell Crosley. Powell Crosley is better known for his line of Radio's, Refrigerators, and past ownership of the Cincinnati Reds. However between 1939 and 1952 Crosley managed to sell 70,000 funny little cars at a great financial loss.
The heart of the Crosley was a 138 pound, tin block, 45 CI (750 c.c) four cylinder motor. In stock trim it put out 26 bhp, in racing trim it was capable of 55 bhp at 8000 rpm. Racing trim meant: twin carburation, custom headers and speed equipment from Nick Braje.
In the 1950's no club racing was more accessible than H modified. All you needed to compete was a welded up tube chassis, a small displacement drivetrain (Crosley, SAAB, FIAT), and a fiberglass or aluminium body.
Our Fiat/Crosley Special is typical of this formula. It has a small diameter tube chassis with a transverse leaf spring front suspension and solid rear axle. The wheels are Fiat Topolino. The brakes are Fiat Al-fin drums on all four wheels. The Crosley motor, with dual Solex carburetors, is mated to a close ratio Austin-Healey Sprite transmission, as the stock Crosley three speed gearbox was one of several weak points on the Crosley automobile.
While typical of on an early 50's H modified special, the open wheel configuration is quite atypical.
Fiat Crosley Special
