Crocker Motorcycles
The Crocker V -Twin 1936 to 1940 at the time was the most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle in the United States. The Crocker is considered the Duesenberg among American motorcycles.
Development and Technology
Albert Crocker (1882-1961), since 1913 Indian sales manager in Denver, developed from 1931 's motorcycles with Indian motors; In 1933 he designed based on the JAP- a built-in motor OHV single cylinder engine with 30.5 ci (~ 500 cc ) of displacement. In 1934, Crocker in Los Angeles, Venice Boulevard, to market the self-developed motorcycles Crocker Motorcycle Co.. These used for speedway engines were quite successful.
1936, shortly after the presentation of Harley- Davidson Knucklehead Engine, Crocker presented before a 61- ci- machine (~ 1000 cm ³ capacity ) with two-cylinder V-engine. The OHV engine with dry sump lubrication and battery - coil ignition made at a compression ratio of 7.5:1 for those times sensational 50 hp ( 36.8 kW) at 5,800 min -1. The 215 kg lightweight machine with 18- inch tires and a wheelbase of 148.6 cm had a three -speed gearbox and was offered for $ 550 for sale.
Crocker was as a motorcycle manufacturer a pedant, who reached similar to the then British manufacturer Brough Superior a high level of quality; almost all parts put forth Crocker himself. Due to the individual production Crocker could also respond to customer requests for capacity enlargement. Crocker was able to supply motors with 68 ci (~ 1114 cm ³ ) to last 83.5 ci (~ 1370 cm ³ ); hardly a Crocker alike. Crocker campaigned with the promise of the full purchase price refund if a Crocker - driver on the open road should ever be overtaken by Indian and Harley -Davidson motorcycles. The copy of Otis Chandler is at a power of 55 hp ( 40.5 kW) have reached a speed of 193 km / h. Sam Parriot surpassed this with a tuned Crocker and is said to have achieved a top speed of 223.7 km / h.
Copies and present value
About the number of motorcycles produced, there are different information. Crocker himself was one of 60 copies, his chief engineer Paul A. Bigsby 64 machines. After the engine numbers, it may also have been 300 copies to judge; today are still 49 Crocker V -Twin exist.
The Crocker V -Twin is now considered one of the most expensive and most sought after models for U.S. collectors. Back in 2006, a Crocker from the collections of Steve McQueen was sold for 276,500 U.S. dollars. In August 2012, three of the years 1937-1940 were a Crocker auctioned at Bonhams for 291,000 and two each for 302,000 U.S. dollars.