Details on CD Models 1949 - 1952

The CD Models include all the standard models such as Station Wagon, Sedan, Convertible, Panel Delivery and Pickup; in both Delux and Super versions. The CD series was introduced in late 1948 for the 1949 model year ran to the end in June 1952.

An example of Powel Crosley saving money on the CD models: the early CD wagons, pickups and sedan deliveries had left over round gauges and mechanical brakes and the last of the CoBra tin block engines from the CC models were used on all of the early production.

Some detail photos and information that may be useful in your restoration. If you have details that should be added send them to me.

Brakes

The CD models started with 6" mechanical brakes with the 1949 model but switched to 4 wheel Goodyear - Hawley Aircraft style disc brakes in May and continued through mid 1950. 9" hydraulic brakes were phased in because of freeze up problems in the areas of the country that used salt on the roads and continued to the end of production.

Models

For 1949 and 50 there was standard models and Delux. The 49 model year had sliding glass side windows in the doors. Starting in 1950 roll down windows were offered. For 51 and 52 the Delux model replaced the standard model and the new Super model was the top of the line.

Serial Numbers by Model Year

The body serial number is located inside the engine compartment, Top dead center of the firewall. (Serial Numbers start with "CD")

1949 CD-100001 to CD-108628

1950 CD-200001 to CD-206685

1951 CD-300001 to CD-306958

1952 CD-400001 and up

1949-50 Convertible Sedan

 

Notes:

The 49 and 50 models are hard to tell apart without a look at the serial numbers. Once you get pass the early 49s the primary difference is most 49s had chrome plated steel grills and most 50s had stainless grills.

This 49-50 model has lots of accessories. Proper accessories are hard to find and I can't verify these are correct but all shown were available. The radio antenna is the proper style and location.

Round caps were being replaced with flatter caps by 1949 but the deeper caps are show in publicity pictures through 1952. The primary reason for the switch seems to be that the deeper caps stick out beyond the tire and hit high curbs.

Convertible tops were black with red trim or optionally tan with dark red trim.

1951-52 Super Station Wagon

Notes:

The 51 and 52 models are impossible to tell apart without a look at the serial numbers. By this time Crosley was making a few running changes but no significant visual changes were made

Super script on side of Super models. Delux models had nothing on the side.

Crosley Bird hood ornament and fender ornaments used on Super models in 1951 and 52. The Delux model just used the plain hood ornament like the 49-50.

Propeller was officially only on Super models but shows up on Delux models also.


You will have to look at the large version of the images to see most of the noted details. Click on the images.

Basket Weave Insert

Notes:

This is an original car. Other insert styles used on the CD models were Blond Maple and Walnut.

Very early CD wagons used the left over trailer style single tail light on the left side only. The right light was optional on these early CDs that had more in come with the CC models in several ways.

Flat hub caps, the more rounded cap had been phased out by the time of the CD production, some sources say left overs were still being used and some factory photos show them on models including till 1952.

Off white wheel color, this was used from 48 through the end of production on all models.

All CD wagons had sliding rear side windows

Standard Lift Gate

Side Open Door

Notes:

Standard tail gate can still uses bumper guards since the lower section does not fold flat

The single side opening door was an option on wagons from early 1949 on.

Insert panels on tail gate and rear side are either painted body color or a wood grain or basket weave decal was used. No factory information shows painting these inserts a contrasting color was an option, but it seems like a natural option from either the factory or the dealer to set off the paint job. Certainly many were painted by their owners over the years.

The notch in center of the pebble shield is to remove the bolt that holds the spare tire under the rear section. This style is used on all CD models.

Notes:

Square Gauges

Chrome nosed Motorola radio (optional)

Horn button

Heater (optional)

Grain pattern on dash, this was also available in gray, most dashes were painted body color.


Standard Interior - The Door insert is a grained cardboard

Notes:

The above gray cloth is only listed for the Super Sedan.

Square Gauges; body color dash

Radio blank out cover

Horn button; Heater (optional)

The interior to the left is called pigskin and was used in many of the standard models.

Note the red interior in some of the other pictures on the page, this was a popular interior in the Super models.

A tan interior was also used on some models.

Notes:

Early CD engine compartment

The thermostate housing is the give away this became just a stub on the radiator for the hose and the thermostate moved to the block end.

Tilletson Carb, Carter was also used in later years.

Gray block is the most common

Very early CD production still used the tin block engine

Red cam covers were used on early cast iron block production, gray and light green were also used.

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