Crosley had a disc brake early on. Rust was an issue I think. Can I be the first to say “I’d drive ‘em”?
Appears the TeePee roll bar addition was added to increase height to “minimum 3 inches above top of helmet” rule. A bit of lateral pressure would collapse the whole thing. There were a lot of “specials” built to compete in the Sports Racer category. Interesting, you really come up with some cars to show. Always enjoy!
Good call. Looks like an add on. these things just pop up on my marketplace feed. The guy is advertising these in racing junk now. These old relics are fun to look at
That "split-axle" was made by cutting the stock Crosley axle. Somewhere I have a set of prints by James Broadwell to build a "H" Modified SCCA racecar that has the directions about how to do this(& other) modifications. I do note the Hotshot disc brakes at the hubs on the ends of the axles. I'm trying to recall this from more than 50yrs ago... The pictures really did knock the cobwebs off some long unused braincells, that's for sure!! LOL!!
The fifties brought a real awareness there was more to making cars fast than just adding horsepower. It was the start of a real awareness that aerodynamics matter not only making cars faster but also handling. Aerodynamics then was more of an art form then the computer driven science we have today. It was amazing what was accomplished with a good eye and strips of yarn taped to the body. The sports racer cl***es really tested the limits of homebrew aerodynamics. Colin Chapman of Lotus fame was one of the first to really push the limits of aerodynamics with several designs my favorite being the Lotus Eleven. Imagine the metal forming skill to produce this unpainted, aluminum body.
Some opinions varied. Today we see who was right. Cool cars. “Enzo Ferrari: “Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines.” The founder of the most successful team in Formula 1 history is said to have uttered this immortal line in 1960 when asked about the ungainly windscreen attached to his Ferrari 250TR for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
Crosley had the disc brakes [pictured] late 48 or early 49 in ALL models, big jump from 6" mechanical. 1950 was about the time cities started to use salt on the roads in the winter and that was detrimental to the discs. So for 51 all models had 9" Lockheed, 3/4 version of pre 49 Ford 12" hydraulics.
I found that first one pictured (raw fibergl***) here in Sacramento maybe 10 years ago. It was designed for H-Modified cl*** racing (where Crosley dominated in the 50s) but by the time it got to the point you see, it would have been obsolete. Builder lost interest and let it sit on that custom-built trailer for 50+ years. I dragged it home to save it from the crusher and gave it to Service Motors (Crosley parts outlet). They sold it to someone and it's been making the rounds since. Would love to see it finished. Here's video from when I dragged it home:
Kinda looks like a Devon that was sectioned down the center, then twixt the wheelwells, & then shortened across the "trunk" area. Marcus...
The Jalopy Journal
