CROSSLEY VEHICLES TODAY

1927 20.9 Canberra limousine

This 20.9 Crossley Canberra Limousine was restored by the late Ken Foster and his son Steve in Perth, Western Australia. The car has now passed to new owners.

The chassis number is 41234 and the engine 41236.

Steve reports:

I have been out driving the car today. My son bought some friends home and they insisted on a ride. It was a beautiful day weather wise, so what could I say? The car is certainly going well now after a number of teething problems, which I am pleased to say that I have overcome. After having the diff apart, gearbox and clutch apart, the bottom and top of the engine apart, I am now quite expert on mechanical repairs to 20.9 Crossleys. I have also become very familiar with the carbie, taking quite some time to set up. The car now has excellent oil pressure (one of my early major problems) and also behaves itself regarding engine temperature after regular overheating was commonplace. My father completely rebuilt the engine including a rebore with oversize pistons, new hand poured white metal mains and big ends, recon valve gear, new timing chain etc. The engine is still tight requiring some miles to run it in. It has very good power for a vintage car which will only improve when the engine loosens up. The only down side to driving the car is the gear box which requires some very accurate selection of engine revs to change gear without crunching the gears. Because there is little margin for error when changing gears I believe it is not possible to use the power of the engine (particularly in low gears) until engaging top gear. Give me a synchro box any day!!!!

The body of the car has been totally rebuilt. The original aluminum panels have been reused however the timber frame is completely new, the old timber only being of use as patterns. I think that there were only 3 doors with the car, so one new door was made (by dad) as well as a new bonnet (also missing). The replacement bonnet was also made by dad including pressing all of the air vents in the sides. He also rebuilt the radiator himself, making a press to stamp out quite a number of new circular fins in the core. The car was professionally painted and upholstered.

Photos - Steve Foster