1949-1952 Crosley Convertible & Wagon

The 1949-1952 Crosley Convertible & Wagon was made in the last years of what author Stan Grayson called "the car for the forgotten man." Increasingly forgotten by shoppers in the bigger-is-better mentality of the early '50s, the Crosley’s styling was revamped yet again for '49, with "speed line" fenders and a "spinner" grille remarkably like that of the all-new '49 Ford. Overall length was also increased another three inches, "amenities" like wind-up windows and electric wipers were available, and there were more deluxe Super-trim versions of the mainstay sedan, wagon, and convertible.

But none of this seemed to help any more than the advent of the winsome Hotshot/Super Sport roadsters -- or ads that insisted Crosley was "a FINE car." Sales continued sliding, and Powel Crosley belatedly abandoned his dream of an "American Volkswagen" in 1952. The problem, as Grayson observed, was that "the 'forgotten man' for whom the car had been built didn't want to be remembered for driving a Crosley."

Pluses of the 1949-1952 Crosley Convertible & Wagon:

• More "adult" than prewar models
  
• Better performance (now only marginal)
• Thrifty
• Wagon's utility
• Convertible's sportiness and scarcity
• Club support
• Arguably better styling
• More reliable CIBA engine
• "Failed marque" appeal
  

Minuses of the 1949-1952 Crosley Convertible & Wagon:

• Top-heavy, thus tippy in corners
• Parts difficult to find
• Limited value appreciation now

Production of the 1949 Crosley Convertible & Wagon:

• Convertible: 645
• 2-door wagon: 3803
  

Production of the 1950 Crosley Convertible & Wagon:

• Convertible/Super convertible: 478
• 2-door wagon/Super wagon: 4205
  

Production of the 1951 Crosley Convertible & Wagon:

• Super convertible: 391
• 2-door wagon/Super wagon: 4500
  

Production of the 1952 Crosley Convertible & Wagon:

• Super convertible: 146
• 2-door wagon/Super wagon: 1355

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• Classic Cars
• Muscle Cars
• Sports Cars
• Consumer Guide Auto
• Consumer Guide Auto Used Car Search