We've been automobile archaeologists for a long time and have found quite a few treasures slumbering in garages and barns, but the antique presented here must be among the most interesting ones we've come across.
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Inspired by DIY articles in magazines like Mechanix Illustrated, Car Craft, and Hop Up, and based on a 1947 Crosley convertible, a young aerospace engineer and private pilot, Ron Kambestad, painstakingly re-bodied and modified the car, back in the 1950s. All its construction is to aircraft standards, yet the basic and bullet-proof Crosley underpinnings and drivetrain have been retained.
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Several color photographs document the Roadster's construction in period. A space frame is bolted to a monocoque as can be found in very expensive race cars, where weight savings combined with torsional rigidity are of foremost importance.
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When the car's designer and owner of more than 50 years car passed on in 2008, his Crosley Special had already been in dry storage for three decades, fully protected from the elements. When we were able to acquire this one-off from the estate, we were nothing short of amazed at the state of preservation of this now 65 year-old Roadster!
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How often do you encounter a real California "pink slip" from 1959! Several old registrations -- dating back to the 1960s -- are included as well. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Car still wears its original black-and-yellow license plates, front and back, issued in 1962 when the Golden State required all vehicle owners to surrender their previous license plates and issued new ones. These old "black plates" are now cherished like badges of honor.
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This one-off Crosley has survived 100% intact, which makes it very special to true collectors of 1950s Americana. Sure, the original yellow paint may have faded during the past half century, but the lightweight alloy body panels are in pristine condition, without any dings or dents.
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Original steel wheels wear freshly re-finished CROSLEY baby moon hub caps. Tires are old, very old indeed.
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Thankfully, the builder took it upon himself to design this very nice convertible top, which installs with ease and stows behind the seats when not in use. Check out the glass rear window with nice chrome frame. By the way, we fitted a new windshield.
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Wide opening doors allow easy access to the alloy-clad cockpit. Everything is fully finished, with lovingly applied details.
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Little 750cc, 4-cylinder Crosley power plant runs like a sewing machine. We installed a fresh battery and replaced the coil, went through the fuel system, had the gas tank boiled out and installed a new fuel pump.
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We measured truly excellent compression on all four pots. These little Crosley motors develop impressive amounts of power for their size; we've seen production-class Crosleys reach almost 100mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats! Click on the image to the right for an XXL-sized view |
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Aircraft-style dashboard is one of the highlights of the Crosley Special. Creating this exciting layout, Mr. Kambestad strove to replicate some of the ambiance of his STINSON 108 airplane cockpit. Apart from the speedo, everything seems to work fine.
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Hand-formed bucket seats look impressive; feature their original 1950s Sea Foam Green leatherette upholstery.
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Sizeable trunk with easy access via folding seats, not unlike an Austin Healey Sprite's. Less is more.
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Clickable photos above reveal elaborate construction in more detail. The Kambestad Special is a (thought) fully finished automobile!
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we, but before we take off, let's have a look underneath, shall we?
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The undercarriage is not only super clean, but way advanced for its time. Comparing it to the "during construction" photos above, we're sure you agree that the Kambestad Special is a low-mileage car that was always garaged. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Interesting details abound.
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Tuesday, June 19, turned out to be a nice day for a combined test drive and photo session.
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The Special starts instantly and quickly settles into a steady idle. Due to its light weight, it is very easy to drive. Brakes are good, the floor shifter with interesting shift knob is fun to operate, clutch is a bit on the weak side, though. An easy fix.
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Almost like flying a plane, driving this Crosley-based Special is an experience like no other. It truly transports you back fifty or sixty years, when ingenious young Americans set out to fulfill their sports car dreams, assembling some amazing machinery in the process. Something that would be virtually impossible today, due to the maze of laws and regulations prohibiting this kind of creativity.
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Note freshly chromed bumpers.
Returning home, we are all smiles. Not only is the Crosley a real car, it is also a prime conversation starter and a super fun toy. We thank its original builder for his unique vision. You'll never see another car even remotely like the Kambestad Special on the road!
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Own it, drive, it, tinker with it, collect it, put it in a museum, show it, and enjoy it. The one-off, alloy-bodied Kambestad Special is easy to own and easy to love.
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But . . . wait . . . there's more!
Part of this auction are the numerous spares shown here, which include a correct Crosley engine. Amazingly, all of this fits inside the car's trunk!
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Addendum:
We sold this unique '47 Crossley in 2012 for only $4,950.
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