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The Crossley 20.9, with a bored out engine, superceded the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. The Super Six
featured wire wheels and a higher back axle ratio.
Approximately 1200
were made. Chassis numbers continued in the same range as the 18/50
starting from 40301 to 41503.
BODY STYLES
|
"Canberra" Enclosed Limousine
£875
(1927)
(18/50 & 20.9)
|
|
Super Six Enclosed Limousine (1934 model)
(£1050 1929)
|
|
"Aero" saloon
£750
(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)
|
|
Super Six Fabric Saloon
£795 (1930)
|
|
Photo not yet available
|
Enclosed Landaulette
£895 (1927)
(18/50 & 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
11 feet 5 inches (used on limousine and
landaulette)
|
|
length
|
15 feet 4 inches (saloon)
16
feet 4 inches (long wheel base limousine)
|
|
track
|
4 feet 8 inches
|
|
width overall
|
5 feet 10 inches (saloon)
|
|
weight
|
35 cwt (limousine)
|
|
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
© Malcolm Asquith 2008