Tag Archives: History

Automakers World War II Efforts – Nash

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Does time fly or what?  I started this series last year and this is the next installment.

As you know the US government asked and eventually forced the auto industry to contribute to the war effort.  This series is to highlight some of the major contributions.  This time is Nash.

As many know, Nash was a premier car manufacturer prior to the war.

Here is their 1942 Nash Ambassador

During the war Nash used it plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin to produce engines for (among others) my favorite aircraft of all time…the Corsair.

The WWII Corsair.

 

Nash build the Pratt & Whitney engines that powered this awesome aircraft.

 

Nash produced Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Engine

 

Their work force consisted mainly of women.

Here they are being sworn in at the WI Plant

 

Later on Nash would morph into the American Motors Company (AMC).

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

 

Automakers World War II Efforts- Crosley

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As you know, the US government asked and eventually forced the auto industry to contribute to the war effort.  This series is to highlight some of the major contributions and first up is Crosley.

Crosley produced cars from the 1930s until the 1950s.  Interestingly, before Powell Crosley produced cars, he was the owner of the Cincinnati Reds.  Their first car, what we would call a subcompact these days, was a convertible.

1939 Crosley Convertible

For the war effort Crosley supplied its power plant the four-cylinder CoBra.  CoBra was short for  Copper Brazed and often refered to as the “The Might Tin” it was used aboard PT boats  and  and the B-17 Flying Fortress bombers  mainly to power generators, refrigeration compressors, etc., and were widely praised for their successes in the war effort. The engine was made from sheet metal rather than cast iron like most other engines.

CoBra Block – the thin walls reduced hot spots.

Crosley CoBra this one was set up for vehicle use

Crosley stayed in business after WWII and eventually closed up in 1952.  Their last attempt to save the company was to production a utility vehicle called the  Farm-O-Road which was used on farm and ranches.

1950 Farm-O-Road Utility

Their last car was in 1952:

Last year of production for Crosley

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim