Description

The Crossley Streamline was a remarkable and unconventional automobile introduced in 1934 by Crossley Motors. It was designed under license from Sir Charles Dennistoun Burney, a pioneering aeronautical engineer who had earlier been responsible for the design of the R100 airship. Burney sought to apply the principles of aerodynamics, developed in the aviation field, to the design of automobiles. The result was the Streamline—a vehicle that looked radically different from its contemporaries and featured a number of mechanical innovations.

One of the most notable aspects of the Streamline was its rear-mounted 1,991 cc inline six-cylinder engine. This setup, unusual for British cars of the time, produced around 60 horsepower at 4,200 rpm and allowed the car to reach 60 mph in approximately 29 seconds. The engine was coupled with a Wilson pre-select gearbox, a sophisticated feature that permitted smooth shifting of gears without the need for a clutch pedal. To complement the modern drivetrain, the Streamline also featured independent suspension on all four wheels, providing a level of ride comfort and handling performance uncommon in the 1930s.

The bodywork of the Crossley Streamline was striking, stretching nearly 20 feet in length with sweeping curves and an enclosed rear. Its design was focused on reducing air resistance, and every aspect of the car—from its tapered tail to its covered wheels—was crafted with aerodynamics in mind. One particularly novel feature was the placement of the radiator at the front of the car, even though the engine was in the rear. Coolant was circulated through long pipes running beneath the floor to maintain temperature regulation. The Streamline’s spare wheel was ingeniously housed in one of the rear-hinged doors, while the other rear door sometimes contained a cocktail cabinet, highlighting the car’s luxurious character.

Despite its forward-thinking engineering and eye-catching appearance, the Crossley Streamline was not a commercial success. Its complex design made it expensive to build, and the rear-engine configuration posed handling difficulties, particularly in wet or slippery conditions. The cooling system, though innovative, could be temperamental due to the length of piping required to connect the radiator to the engine. Additionally, its futuristic appearance may have alienated conservative buyers of the time.

Only 25 examples of the Crossley Streamline were built, and today only a handful survive. These rare cars are highly prized by collectors and historians for their significance in automotive design history. The Streamline represents one of the earliest attempts to integrate aerodynamics into car manufacturing on a serious scale and stands as a testament to the bold engineering spirit of the interwar period. It remains one of the most distinctive and imaginative vehicles ever produced by a British manufacturer.