There was no connection between the Crosley COBRA (and later the CIBA cast
iron block) and the Crosley refigerators, washing machines etc. The Radio and
appliance division was sold off during WWII. The COBRA engine wqas originally
designed to power auxillary generators on ships (actually PT Boats and other
small craft). It was also used as a pump engine and as the engine to drive
portable refrigeration units on trucks. Commonly known as "reefers", the
refrigerated trailers that haul food required a refrigeration unit and a
gasoline engine to power it. That is what the little Crosley engine did very
well.
Both the little Crosley Engine and the Hillman/Sunbeam Imp engine had a
similiar history, similiar size and similiar success in racing. The Imp
engine was originally the Coventry Climax fire engine pump engine, but was
also used in a variety of other applications. Rootes bought it and developed
it for the Imp. The difference between the ancient BMC 850cc engine in the
Mini and the ultra modern OHC aluminum engine in the Imp was striking.
If you want more history on the Crosley- check out the following web
address..... www.ggw.org/cac/SS-Cobras.html
Jan Eyerman (if you check out the above address you'll understand!)
schristie@mail.usfli.com (Scott E. Christie) wrote:
Are we confusing Crosley (American) with Crossley (British) ?
The American company did build cars for a short period in the late 40's
early 50's, but is mainly known for their radios. Their COBRA engine was
unique in that all the parts were stamped steel. It powered very small
sedans, a wagon, and finally the Hot Shot "roadster". I'm not aware of any
ties the COBRA engine has to Crosley's refrigerators, washing machines, and
radios.
Scott Christie
----- Original Message -----
From: <davidkellogg@hotmail.com>
To: <jan.eyerman@usa.net>; <bmounce@impop.bellatlantic.net>
Cc: <alpines@autox.team.net>; <volvos@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 10:39 PM
Subject: Re: Rootes Engines, and others
> Hello Jan, and Listers:
>
> Thanks for the information about the Rootes relationship to Coventry
> Climax' pumpers. You're right about the Crosley engine, too, but there's
> more! Crosley engines were also the staple of the refrigeration industry,
> providing power for the entire Thermo King fleet of refrigerated trucks
> until fairly recently. What's fun for me about the Crosley engine is its
> similarity to the Type 35 Bugatti engine: single overhead cam before
common
> implimentation, shaft-driven cam (with tower-enclosed shaft), integral
head
> and cylinder casting, inline water pump and generator, remarkably light
> weight for bhp output, and susceptible to high performance tweaking.
>
> Best, David
>
> 67 Ser V Racing Alpine
> (Currently rebuilding a Crosley engine for Jabro)
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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