An American scarce Crocker Scootabout

From a number of references, we have found that the actual culture of scooters first appeared in America with the appearance of the first scooter in the world called the Autoped around 1915. Then the global popularity of scooters increased by the end of World War II, marked by the presence of Vespa and Lambretta in the pizza country.

The Three Stooges on the 1941 American-made, Crocker Scootabout. Surprised Moe let Curly be in the driver's seat. (Picture from: KickStartKaren)

The popularity of these scooters in the post-war period was largely driven by the sluggish world economy, especially in countries directly involved in the war and made the people's purchasing power at that time were so low so then they were not afforded to buy the four-wheeled vehicles.

1941 Crocker Scootabout with its typical teardrop bodywork. (Picture from: AntiqueAndAuctionNews)

With the presence of scooters intended to provide low power personal transportation (50 to 250 cc engines). The original layout is still widely used in this application. Scooters are popular for private transportation, partly based on the low cost of purchase and operation and benefits that include convenience in parking and storage. Licensing requirements for scooters are easier and cheaper than those for cars in most parts of the world, and insurance is generally cheaper.

The Crocker Scootabout sales brochure. (Picture from: Flesh&Relics)

Among American scooters before and after the war, one of them was made by the Crocker Motorcycle Company, the company known of single-cylinder speedway racing motorcycles from 1932, powerful V-twin road motorcycles from 1936, and the "Scootabout," one of the first modern styled motor scooters, in the late 1930s.

A telegraph cable delivery man uses the Scootabout in the 1942 movie-titled 'Talk of the Town'. (Picture from: KickStartKaren)

1941 Crocker Scootabout in a magazine
article. (Picture from: KickStartKaren)

Have you ever watched the Three Stooges' classic film series? Well, in one episode, there was a scene where three of these hilarious friends were riding a Crocker Scootabout scooter and sidecar with all their funny behavior (see the picture above). The Los Angeles-based company made these scooters in short production periods.

The step-through scooter, designed by Al Crocker and distributed by Floyd Clymer, featured one-up seating, a centrifugal clutch, and a 2.3-hp Lawson air-cooled engine hidden behind a teardrop-shaped cowling pressed from sheet metal. The simplicity of operation was obtained through the use of an automatic clutch that engaged as the foot throttle was depressed. And by removing the foot from the throttle quickly, disengaged the clutch.

The operation is said to be somewhat similar to fluid drive such as used on some makes of 1941 cars. A foot lever operated an internal expanding brake band on which was mounted Ferodo lining. Choke and compression releases are combined in one lever on the right handlebar. The standard color was black with red panels. And a tow-back attachment was available for use in attaching the unit to car bumpers.

Sales brochure of Crocker Scootabout
(Picture from: CrockerMotorcycleco)

The Crocker Scootabout was considered a forerunner at the time it was released. Scooters of the time were very plain, no-nonsense fun machines, and the Crocker Motorcycle Company gave them style with a streamlined design including two-toned paint jobs and skirted fenders even before Indian made that look famous, and the company furthered scooter design by adding a crude suspension to the front end in 1941.

At the time, the scooter was sold for $139.00. Unfortunately with the war underway and the supply of the Lawson air-cooled engines dried up so the production ceased in 1942. It's thought at the time, less than 100 units of these little scooters were ever produced.😢

In 1997 the Crocker name was resurrected by collectors Markus Karalash and Michael Schacht in order to supply replacement parts for the original Crockers. After an enthusiastic response to reproduction parts produced for a restoration, the partners decided to officially incorporate Crocker Motorcycle Company in January 1999. In 2002 steps began to trademark Crocker Motorcycle Company Worldwide, and they anticipate the ability to eventually assemble complete reproductions of all Crocker Motorcycles. Wanna see the Lutz scooters.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CROCKER MOTORCYCLE COMPANY | KICKSTARTKAREN | FLESH&RELICS | ANTIQUEANDAUCTIONNEWS | POPPAWHEELIE |  HAGGERTY ]

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