Crosleys are addictive...

I first found out about Crosleys by finding a random 'hot rod' project for $200. The hot rod turned out to be a DYI plan built body built on all Crosley running gear. Then I bought a wagon to see what the stock one's were like, and then I found some extra engines...

I had been looking for a 37 Buick to restore for 10 years! I finally found one a few months ago, and then drove 400 miles to get it! I was ecstatic!!!!!  I just put the buick up on CL for $1800 to fund more Crosley parts and to try and maybe find a sedan somewhere.... When forced to choose which vehicle to sell to fund the others, it came down to one of the Crosleys, or my impossible to find Buick. The Buick lost. I am still honestly a little surprised myself... must be great cars.

I am sorry to inform you that you are probably afflicted with Rustycrosleyosis, a highly contaigous disease that afflicts most of us. If you search past entries on this board, you will find a more complete description of the disease. I have been telling people for years that Crosleys are still the Auto hobby's best bargain. You get more attention at shows, have more fun and are associated with the finest people on the planet. If you aren't already, may I recommend a membership in the Crosley Automobile Club as you will find even more leads to cars available from people you know there. Also please consider coming to the National show in July as you may find a car there but at least you will spend time with a fun loving group of people who love these little cars. Depending on where you live, you may also find that there is a regional show in your area to attend this summer or fall. Enjoy your cars and let us know how we can help!!!

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Mazda to stop making rotary-engine vehicles

Mazda will stop making cars with its signature rotary engines after a 45-year production run that included powering the first and only Japanese car to win the 24-hour Le Mans endurance race.

Poor sales and the high costs of meeting modern emissions standards have made rotary engines uneconomical to produce. Mazda Motor Corp. said Friday that the latest edition of the Mazda RX-8 will go on sale Nov. 24, targeting sales of 1,000 vehicles, but will end production in June 2012.

The Japanese automaker, based in Hiroshima, introduced its first rotary engine car in 1967 and is the only automaker in the world that makes rotary engine vehicles. Such engines have fewer moving parts and are quieter than comparable piston engines but are more expensive to manufacture and consume more fuel.

The RX-8 is the only model in Mazda's lineup with the rotary engine. Mazda's decision underlines how consumer tastes have changed to preferring green vehicles over sporty ones. Mazda spokeswoman Michiko Terashima said research and development on the rotary engine will continue, leaving open the possibility that it could make a comeback. But production is now not making sense when considering the costs of meeting safety and emissions standards for new vehicles, she said.

Mazda sold only 2,896 RX-8 cars last year, with 1,245 of them in North America and 963 in Japan. Cumulative sales of Mazda vehicles with rotary engines total about 1.995 million as of the end of August, according to Mazda, which also makes the Miata sportscar.

Mazda Chief Executive and President Takashi Yamanouchi recalled the victory of Mazda's rotary engine at Le Mans 20 years ago, and called the rotary engine "iconic." Mazda's car overtook a Mercedes in the last three hours of the legendary race.

"Although R-X production is ending, the rotary engine will always represent the spirits of Mazda, and Mazda remains committed to its ongoing development," he said.

Mazda, which has lost money for the last three fiscal years, is struggling to assert its brand as the relationship with longtime partner Ford Motor Co. weakens.

Mazda does not have flashy green technologies in its lineup that its bigger Japanese rivals do — such as the hybrids at Toyota Motor Corp. or electric vehicles at Nissan Motor Co. The fading away of its prized rotary engine — although largely symbolic — is yet another blow.

Dearborn-based Ford bought 25 percent of Mazda in 1979, raising it to 33.4 percent in 1996. But Ford began cutting ties in 2008, and last year lowered its ownership to 3.5 percent.

I'm very sad read this stuff. I know that the Mazda engineers have been fighting the corporate types at Ford ever since they took over. It was their identity and now it is gone. 

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