Crosley

Powel Crosley Jr. was a talented and successful entrepreneur, inventor, and industrialist who pioneered radio and television broadcasting. He had the dream of  building an affordable automobile for Americans.

In 1939 he launched his microcar and sold it in appliances and department stores.

In 1946, he adapted the wartime generator motor, also the first mass-production overhead camshaft motor, called the COBRA (for COpper BRAzed water jackets) for use in his automobiles. It was replaced in 1949 by CIBA (Cast Iron Block Assembly). Both motors were fitted in a wide range of Crosley body styles.