Crossley 18/50 and 20.9 data

The Crossley "18/50" and "20.9"

The Crossley 18/50 was manufactured between 1925 and 1927. Approximately 300 were made. Chassis numbers range from 40000 to 40300.

The Crossley 20.9, with a bored out engine, superceded the 18/50 with an initially identical specification and range of body styles. It was manufactured between 1927 and 1931 but from 1929 the slightly revised Super Six was advertised alongside it.

Approximately 1200 were made. Chassis numbers continued in the same range as the 18/50 starting from 40301 to 41503.

Crossley 18-50 chassis

BODY STYLES

	"Canberra" Enclosed Limousine £875 (1927) (18/50 & 20.9)
	5 seat touring car £675-935 (1926-7) (18/50 & 20.9)
	Fabric saloon £720 (1927) (18/50 & 20.9))
Photo not yet available	Saloon De Luxe £1150 (18/50) 1926 £795 (20.9)
Photo not yet available	Short wheelbase Limousine £1250 (18/50) 1926 £820 (20.9)
Photo not yet available	Enclosed Landaulette £895 (1927) (18/50 & 20.9))
	"Aero" saloon £750 (20.9)

The above are all Crossley factory bodies. Many cars were supplied in chassis form to independent coach builders

The prices quoted are for the home market and come from contemporary advertisements.

SPECIFICATION

Engine/gearbox/transmission

Body/chassis

capacity 18/50 - 2692cc
20.9 - 3181cc

cylinders 6 monobloc

bore 18/50 - 69mm
20.9 - 75 mm

stroke 120mm

compression ratio 5:1 later 6:1

RAC Horse Power 18/50 - 17.7
20.9 - 20.9

carburettor Smiths 5 jet or Crossley-Stromberg OX2

valves overhead operated by pushrod

lubrication Pressure fed to the four main and big end bearings

ignition High Tension Magneto (BTH later Scintilla)

max power 18/50 50bhp at 2750rpm
20.9 - 60bhp at 3000rpm

fuel consumption (typical) 20 mpg (18/50)
15 mpg (20.9)

max speed (approx) 70 mph

Gears 4 speed, right hand control
ratios 1:1, 1.46:1, 2.32:1, 3.74:1

acceleration 0-50mph in 25 seconds (20.9 fabric saloon)
0-50mph in 39 seconds (18/50)

Clutch single plate

Drive shaft Open shaft. Fabric couplings.

Rear axle semi floating axle with spiral bevel drive
ratios 4.5:1 (18/50)
4.25:1 (Super Six)
4.75:1 (open 20.9) 4.92:1 (closed 20.9)

wheelbase short or long options
10 feet 5 inches (3175 mm)
11 feet 5 inches (3480 mm) (used on limousine and landaulette)

length 14 feet 3 inches (4343 mm) (5 seat tourer)
15 feet 4 inches (4674 mm) (saloon)
16 feet 4 inches (4978 mm) (long wheel base limousine)

track 4 feet 8 inches (1422 mm)

width overall 5 feet 6 inches (1676 mm) (5 seat tourer)
5 feet 10 inches (1778 mm) (saloon)

weight 5 seat tourer 32 cwt (1450 kg)
Limousine 35 cwt (1560 kg)

steering Worm and complete wheel

suspension - front offset semi elliptic springs with optional (later standard) shock absorbers

suspension -rear offset semi elliptic springs with optional (later standard) shock absorbers

brakes

4 wheel brakes. Bendix/Perrot system
hand brake acts on rear wheels via separate shoes

wheels/tyres Early cars on "Artillery" type wheels. From 1930 Rudge Whitworth wire wheels available
820 x 120 or 5.25 x 21 (1927) (18/50 and 20.9)
5.25 x 21 (Super Six)

RETURN TO CROSSLEY CARS IN THE 1920s