Tiny oddity 1950 Crosley wagon

Crosley built its minicars for what it termed “the forgotten man,” those who eschewed the bigger-is-better trend of U.S. automobiles, and for a brief time, the independent company trod its own path by producing teensy sedans, wagons, convertibles, even sports cars.  

The company was founded in 1939 and resumed production after the war in 1949.  But apparently there were not enough forgotten men (or women) to sustain the breed, and Crosley shut down in 1952 after producing a relatively small number of cars.

The Pick of the Day is a 1950 Crosley Super wagon, arguably the most-practical of the bunch though still way too small and modestly powered for most drivers, then or now.  Still, this little Crosley could be a fun collector car for someone who wants to attract loads of attention without taking up too much space.

With less than 30,000 miles showing on its odometer, this funky two-door wagon is offered by a Kentwood, Michigan, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com, calling it “a unique piece of American automotive history.”

“This little blue 1950 Super station wagon is in remarkably nice condition for its age and stature,” the dealer notes in the ad. “The paint quality is quite nice overall and the body is very nice.

“The 4-cylinder runs as it should and the manual transmission shifts properly. The chrome remains in good condition. The car rides on 12-inch factory wheels with hubcaps. The car remains in 6 volt and has aftermarket turn signals.”

Despite its minimal size, the Crosley incorporated American styling of the era onto its 80-inch wheelbase, resulting in a odd-looking critter that is strangely appealing today.  The tiny engine produced just 26 horsepower to propel its curb weight of around 1,400 pounds, with an official top speed of 65 mph. 

The Crosley looks to be in good shape inside, outside and under the hood, although there is no mention of a repaint or other restoration. With such low mileage, it could be all original and well-preserved.  That’s something a potential buyer would need to ask.

The asking price for this 68-year-old wagon is $15,900, which sounds cheap enough.  And just think, you’d have an entry all ready for next year’s Little Car Show in Pacific Grove, California, or anywhere else they celebrate the quixotic lure of the minicar.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.