1948 Crosley CC Convertible

In 1939, Powell Crosley, Jr., known for radios and refrigerators, launched a tiny economy runabout to be sold through Crosley appliance dealers for $325 to $350. Only 10 feet long on an 80-inch wheelbase and weighing under half a ton, it was powered by a 13.5-horsepower 2-cylinder boxer engine and could reach only 50 miles per hour, but could deliver fuel economy of at least 50 miles per gallon. By World War 2, Crosley was making convertible sedans, wood-bodied station wagons, convertibles, covered wagons with full canvas tops, and commercial models, selling almost 5,000 of the 1941-1942 models. Following the war, Crosley resumed production in June 1946 with the Crosley CC, powered by a 26.5-horsepower 44-cubic-inch overhead-cam four-cylinder “CoBra” engine with a block made of brazed copper and sheet steel that Corsley had developed for a U.S. Navy project during the war. Still on the 80-inch wheelbase, the CC was 28 inches longer than the prewar models. Initially available as a two-door, four-seat sedan, convertible was introduced by the end of the year, followed by a station wagon in 1948 and a delivery sedan in 1948. The Crosley CC was the first mass-produced slab-sided car in America, and it was powered by the first mass-produced overhead-cam engine. Crosley production peaked at almost 29,000 cars in 1948, with the station wagon being by far the most popular body style; Crosley actually led U.S. automakers in steel-bodied station wagons in 1948. The Crosley CC looked pretty much the same from 1946 to 1948. A switch to sealed-beam headlights in early 1948 moved the parking lights from within the headlight to their own small bubble-like housing, and a bolt on bar grille was added later in the year, and was also available separately to upgrade earlier cars. For 1949 the Crosley CC would be replaced with the improved Crosley CD, but the market had largely moved on, and Crosley gave up on the automobile business in July 1952. This Crosley CC Convertible at the 2004 Unique Tin Car Show in Longview, Washington, is probably a 1947 or early 1948 model. 

1948 Kaiser Sedan

Immediately after World War II, Henry J. Kaiser, a steel and shipbuilding magnate, and Joseph Worthington Frazer, a 35-year veteran of the auto industry, thought the time was right for a new auto company and joined forces to form the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation. The company's first cars were produced in June 1946 in the the former Ford WWII bomber plant in Willow Run, Michigan as 1947 models. There were two brands: the lower Kaiser brand and the upscale Frazer brand. Initially there were two Kaisers built for every Frazer.

By 1948, Kaiser-Frazer was the number eight automaker in the country, having passed all the other independent automakers. The car shown here is a 1948 Kaiser sedan. The styling is virtually identical to that of 1947, and the next year would see some changes.

Unfortunately, things got worse for 1949, when the company dropped to 14th place. Henry Kaiser borrowed heavily to finance new models and an all-new small car. Joseph Frazer left the company, and the Frazer brand was phased out in 1951, the same year the new small car, the Henry J, was introduced.

Neither the new full-size Kaisers nor the new Henry J were particularly successful. In 1954, Kaiser purchased Willys-Overland, builder of small cars and the famous Jeep, to become Kaiser-Willys, and the HEnry J was discontinued. Kaiser sold the Willow Run plant to General Motors and consolidated production in Willys' plant in Toledo, Ohio.

The situation didn't improve, and the US production of both Kaiser and Willys passenger cars ended in 1955. The company continued on with the Jeep product line as Kaiser-Jeep and the simply the Jeep Corporation, which was acquired by American Motors in 1970 and survives today are part of the Chrysler Corporation.

1948 Chevrolet Limousine/Car Hauler

OK, this isn't anywhere near a stock production vehicle, but it is pretty darn cool:


This Limousine/Car Hauler is based on a 1948 Chevrolet truck cab that has been stretched 11.5 feet, but the chassis is a stretched 1986 Chevrolet 1-Ton pickup chassis. Underneath the 16-foot car hauler bed is a 442-horsepower 502-cubic inch Chevrolet V8.

Inside the stretched cab is a lot of comfortable seating including captain's chairs in the front and a bar area in the back. It's hard to imagine a classier way to tow a classic car to a car show.