1939 Crosley Convertible Coupe

The 1939 Crosley Convertible Coupe is a delightful first-year example of one of America’s most charming microcars: an ultra-light, ultra-affordable “appliance on wheels” from the mind of radio and appliance magnate Powel Crosley Jr.

Crosley, famous for Crosley radios and refrigerators and for owning the Cincinnati Reds, launched his automobile venture in 1939 with the ambitious goal of building a truly inexpensive “car of tomorrow” for the masses. The Crosley debuted at the New York World’s Fair and was publicly introduced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on April 28, 1939.

Power comes from a tiny Waukesha air-cooled, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engine of about 35 to 39 cubic inches (roughly 580 to 637 cc), producing around 12 to 13.5 horsepower. It uses an L-head side-valve design and a gravity-feed fuel system, with the tank mounted above the engine, and drives the rear wheels through a three-speed manual transmission. The car rides on an 80-inch wheelbase, weighs between 890 and 975 pounds, and measures under 10 feet long. Top speed was a leisurely 40 to 50 mph, with fuel economy often reaching 48 to 50 mpg. Beam axles with leaf springs, mechanical drum brakes, and minimal features kept costs down.

The convertible coupe seated two, with an optional rear seat for four-passenger use. It featured a folding soft top, sliding side windows on some examples, and a simple, lightweight body built by the Murray Corporation.

Total 1939 production was 2,017 units across the convertible coupe and convertible sedan variants, priced at just $325 for the convertible coupe and $350 for the four-passenger sedan. These were the only body styles offered that introductory year. Pre-war production was limited, with only about 422 cars built in 1940, and halted during World War II. It resumed after the war with more models and higher volumes before ending in 1952.