DOTCS (updated)

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
08/09/2018 at 22:30 • Filed to: Not a Jeep, Crosley

A few pics from a small car show I stumbled upon today. The highlight for me was easily this adorable baby 4x4 that so many of you correctly identified as a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! FarmOroad, which up until today did not exist in my world and now I don’t know how I’ll ever get it out of my fevered brain.

http://crosleyautoclub.com/Details/Details_FOR.html

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As you can tell by the marketing material below it was intended as a utility vehicle for (surprise!) farms, the same concept that Willys had been trying and mostly not succeeding at with the CJ series for 5 years.

The FarmOroad was very configurable from the factory: this one didn’t have a front axle, but 4x4 versions were available, and PTO was an option. This one did have low and high gearing, so despite the lack of 4 wheel drive there were 3 levers: e-brake, manual transmission, and 2-high/low.

My beloved Jeep LJ for size comparison and because purty

Per the owner it was used in a factory to tow small trailers around the floor, hence the lack of rust. It was an extremely clean vehicle. And extremely small, something Crosley must have specialized in.

Here are some of his other cars from a 4th of July show I shot last year. Apparently he knows someone from the Crosley family; I’m not entirely sure how that translates to access to these delightful vehicles, but I’m grateful..

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As a side note, for anyone who doesn’t know, Indiana used to be quite well-known for auto manufacturers, rivaling Detroit. Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg, Crosley...quite an assortment of memorable cars were made here. Even my beloved Jeeps have a history here: the company that remained after Auburn/Cord stopped making its own cars was !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

The car show was filled with hot rods that bored me, so no pics, but this beauty grabbed my attention, and if I weren’t smitten with the Crosley I probably would have spent more time with it.

DISCUSSION (26)

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 18:47

A Crosley Farm-O-Road!!

Just Jeepin' > Kiltedpadre
08/09/2018 at 18:50

Too fast

LOREM IPSUM > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 18:51

Kinja'd!!!

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 18:53

Sorry, Crosley is one of my regular go-to Craigslist searches. This and a Super Sport are the two models I’m most obsessed with.

Just Jeepin' > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 18:56

Kinja'd!!!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 18:56

I forget the model name, but it’s a Crosley isn’t it? :D

Just Jeepin' > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
08/09/2018 at 19:03

Farm- O- Road is just as awkward a name as Agrijeep.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 19:25

The Lane Motor Museum has one, and a very similar *other* baby 4x4. The Lane's has dually rear wheels.

LOREM IPSUM > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 19:34

I suddenly have a need for one of these. But, how much are they worth?

Just Jeepin' > LOREM IPSUM
08/09/2018 at 19:39

No clue. A prototype didn’t meet reserve on BaT at 17k. I’m betting a clean one is pretty much “if you have to ask” territory.

Just Jeepin' > LOREM IPSUM
08/09/2018 at 19:50

After looking at other Crosleys on autotrader I guess they might not be nearly as ridiculous as I’d expect for such an unusual make. Dunno.

Kiltedpadre > LOREM IPSUM
08/09/2018 at 19:56

I saw one on eBay a couple years ago. It sold for just over $12,000. That one had dual rear wheels and a manual dump bed which they don’t all have.

LOREM IPSUM > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 20:53

I’m going to start keeping an eye out for these. Probably won't splurge at 10k+, but if I find a reasonably decent one for less I might not be able to stop myself.

Just Jeepin' > LOREM IPSUM
08/09/2018 at 21:09

Can’t blame you. Totes adorbs!

Beware, there’s a wide variety of capabilities . Some are 4 wheel drive, while this one didn’t even have a front axle (but did have 2 low, go figure).

JeepJeremy > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 21:15

I want one!!!

Your boy, BJR > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 21:20

Crosley Farm-O-Road!

Just Jeepin' > Your boy, BJR
08/09/2018 at 21:20

How is it that everyone knew this existed but me?

LOREM IPSUM > Just Jeepin'
08/09/2018 at 21:23

Good to know! I imagine finding parts might be a bit of a challenge too.

As far as 2 low, at least you can slap it into gear and get out to push without worrying about it running off on you. Or just put it in your pocket and walk through the really rough stuff. Hehehehe

FLmanisback > Just Jeepin'
08/10/2018 at 03:39

If you are thinking about Indiana, don’t forget Studebaker, South Bend’s own manufacturer. Somewhere I have a picture of my Pops at age 13 with his Crosley wagon. His first car. It was a gift from his Dad, who owned a Pontiac dealership. He took it in on trade and figured it was a good starter vehicle.

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin'
08/10/2018 at 06:50

A neat feature on the Crosley to keep it from getting stuck in fields. You can actually push the e-brake lever left and right, and when you do it locks the rear brake on that side while letting the other side still turn.

Just Jeepin' > FLmanisback
08/10/2018 at 08:32

Good point, thanks. I didn’t think to find a list, there are probably one or two other notables I overlooked.

Just Jeepin' > Kiltedpadre
08/10/2018 at 08:34

Whoa, that’s way cool. Thanks for the information.

So Shiney. So Chrome! So Frunky > Just Jeepin'
08/10/2018 at 08:53

Crosley really only made small cars but they had some neat fea tures . My grandfather cut one up to make a home brew lawn tractor in the late 50's.

Also from what I understand they are that narrow so they could transport 2 side by side in a standard train car

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Just Jeepin'
08/10/2018 at 09:27

Something you may not know about the top trim Crown Victoria Fairlane trim:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fairlane_Crown_Victoria_Skyliner

Just Jeepin' > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/10/2018 at 09:29

I knew nothing at all, so that’s a big step up thanks.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Just Jeepin'
08/10/2018 at 09:57

I had a similar “where the non hot-rods at” old Ford find at the Nashville C&C when we had the Oppo Meet there. A ‘60 Ford Fairlane Starliner, like this:

Kinja'd!!!

Might even be this exact one, because HotRod’s article calls it out as a HiPo 352, which I believe the Nashville one was, and this one homes in GA.