Dog 'N' Suds Which-Way Crosley

I've seen a LOT of custom Crosleys, but this Push-Me-Pull-Me version takes the cake!  Photographer Jim Hammer posted some shots of the car(s) on his flickr page and says it was parked behind the Dog 'n' Suds Root Beer Stand on Sagamore Parkway (US 52) in Lafayette, Indiana.   From the bullet nose front it looks like it started out as a pair of late of late 1948s. According to the folks that commented on his pictures, the car used to be a driver and was built by the former owner of the restaurant.  Miller's pictures were taken nearly three years ago... anyone know if it's still there?

Powell Would be Proud: the Hiriko Car

The tiny Spanish Hiriko car (Basque for 'urban') prototype was just unveiled, getting a lot of press for its bizarre/genius design.  Imagine something smaller than a Fiat 500, that's electric, that folds nearly in half when you park it, and has independent all wheel drive.  !

Crosley Trucks at Barrett-Jackson

Another Barrett-Jackson auction has come and gone and this time a couple of Crosley trucks crossed the block.

Crosley Postcards

I'm a total OCD collector/hoarder type, but I do my best NOT to collect everything with a picture of a Crosley car on it.  I do pretty well when it comes to newer stuff, but I can't seem to stop buying old magazines with the occasional Crosley photo.  I do manage to pass up most postcards for the simple reason that I can save scans that look almost as good as the originals.  I thought I'd share a batch of stuff I've saved up... enjoy!

A Fine Car parked in front of a Superb Motor Hotel.

Crazy 'Art Car' that started out as a '51 or '52 Crosley.

Promo postcard for the 'Dashing' Crosley HotShot.

Prewar Pickup.

 A portholed super Sports... and then of course you need a stamp:

Ebay Watch: Gasser Heaven - Dual Draggin' Wagons

While Crosleys never achieved the must-have gasser status of Willys or Fiat Topolinos,  there was no shortage of Crosleys (well, bodies) on the track back in the heyday of drag racing.  One look at a Crosley sedan told the early drag racers all they needed to know: that thing was smaller, lighter and more aerodynamic than whatever '20s/'30s/'40s body they had in place.  If Crosley wagons weren't quite as light, they were easier to find, so many of them made their way to the track and the salt flats.

His First Car: '39 Crosley

This may be old news for some of you, but I just came across this great short feature about Glenn Klein's first car from the Orange County Register of July 21st, 2010.

Frank Dominianni and the Nardi 'Boby Sport'

Reading through the new issue of Vintage Motorsport I came across an obituary for Frank Dominianni who passed in November.  In 1947 Dominianni opened Hi-Speed Power Equipment, one of the first speed shops on the East Coast, and he was soon taking every opportunity to test his products out on the track, most famously with a string of racing Corvettes.  Even though he was on a shoestring budget, he ran - and often won - against greats like Roger Penske, Dick Thompson and Don Yenko at high profile events like Sebring and Daytona in the late fifties and sixties.

'Nother Crosley Midget For Sale

After I posted the link to the Ebay midget I came across this car for sale on the HAMB.  Kinda stubby but it looks pretty good.  Seller says, "Late 40's early 50's old Crosley Midget. It has a Crosley rear axle, in out box and steering gear box. All aluminum body. It was first raced with a Crosley engine, then later one it was shortened about a foot and raced with a Harley engine." It is currently being sold without any engine.   I like the larger wheels and it appears to have a vintage-type steering wheel.

It's located in Muncie, Indiana and can be found for $3500 on the HAMB.

The Optimists Club

I don't know what to make of folks who list their cars for sale at exorbitantly high prices and then just keep them there.  And keep them there.  And just keep on keeping on.  For years.

Ebay Watch: TQ Midget Project

There's a pretty interesting project car on Ebay right now: a '40s or '50s era TQ Midget.  Seller says this started out as a motorcycle-engined car and was later converted to Crosley power.  It's missing some parts, but the hard-to-find components (including the 'Kris Kraft' [Kurtis Kraft?] body) seem to be there, and it comes with a complete running Crosley motor ready to drop in.

Craigslist Find: San Jose Crosley Sedan

Good way to start the year - a fine car for sale right here on the left coast!

This '47 sedan looks pretty good for being off the road for over a half century. Seller says it was last registered in 1955 and makes no mention of how it runs, so I'm guessing it doesn't.  It comes with an extra motor and trans, so maybe there was a problem with the original running gear....  $3400 in San Jose, California - if it's complete and doesn't have any rust that's not a bad price.

Since this is my first post of 2012 I should note that I made one of my resolutions for 2011: I doubled the number of posts from 2010! Bad news is that I failed at one of my others - I did not get any of my Crosleys on the road last year. I plan to remedy that situation this year - and I plan to make even more posts in 2012!