Too little too soon

the long version

This rare, limited edition book highlighted the development of several American "orphan baby cars." It contained over 240 rare photos of some of the most adorable cars ever to flit from country lane to city square. From the narrow Crosley, manufactured in a refrigerator factory, to the graceful American Austin and Bantam, which were skillfully designed by Russian Count Alexis de Sakhnofski. Only 250 copies of the book were printed, and copies have sold at auction for more than $130 each. Reviews were highly complimentary. "This is the most accurate portrait of my father (Powel Crosley, Jr.) that I have ever read," wrote Lewis Crosley, who purchased several copies before asking the author to collaborate with him on a Crosley family biography. However, author Cunningham was in the midst of a project that would consume his spare time for the next decade. He was determined to fill a void in automotive literature. By 2008, Cunningham's newest manuscript had grown to nearly 1,300 pages--enough to fill three volumes with detailed text and rare photographs. The first volume of that monumental effort was published in 2008 under the title, "Orphan Babies: America's Forgotten Economy Cars." That valuable collection may be the most extensive documentation of pioneer economy cars from independent domestic manufacturers ever published for the automotive hobbyist.