WI Powel Crosley had bought into American Bantam instead of starting production of his own line of cars? PoD could be in 1938 or '40, but '39 seems most likely and interesting.
A question that arises here is how well Crosley and Roy Evans (president of Bantam) would work together. Because if they don't, IMHO they're all sunk, Crosley Motors, American Bantam, the Jeep, et al.
Bantam had a reputation for reliability which Crosleys, especially the early ones, didn't and no-one would argue that Bantams looked much better. Bantams sold poorly domestically but did well in foreign markets, but Crosleys seemed to sell well pre-war. The Crosley name might help sales a bit, too.
Even better, in the next year Bantam designed the vehicle that would become the Jeep. Granting that butterflys don't kill the whole thing, with the extra capital and clout of Crosley behind the enterprise, Bantam will get a sizable contract for production of the Jeep. Questions arise as to whether OTL changes to the original design by Ford and Willys will still occur. One change especially important was that the BRC (Bantam Reconnaissance Car) used a Continental engine while, through Willys getting the initial large contract, the Jeep used the 'Go-Devil' engine. Ford seems to have made several changes to make the vehicle easier to produce, nothing huge IMO. As an aside, Willys seems to have been the first to call it the Jeep, so maybe it gets another name? Or maybe not, the name already existed. Anyway, if Bantam/Crosley is handling most of the orders, what are Willys and Ford making instead? Also important, who makes what Crosley was making OTL? Come to that, i'm unclear on exactly what Crosley produced in his auto factories. Overall, he made fuses, radios (like you couldn't guess that), B-29 turrets, and other stuff. Bantam made Jeep trailers (insulting, i should think).
I wonder if Crosley would bid on making the air-droppable jeep. There was one OTL, i don't know much about it, but it had an aluminum body and an air-cooled engine.
Anyway, to post-war, assuming the BRC is a success, Bantam/Crosley is riding high. They have a strong product in the Jeep and probably won't have sold off any of their factories (OTL, Bantam sold 1 of 2 and Crosley sold 1 of 3). No doubt, Crosley will wish to resume auto production instead of solely focusing on the Jeep. I would assume that Bantam's overseas market would still be in existence. They might even be a bit too up-market for post-war Europe.
I think that Crosley wouldn't try fitting the CoBra engine to his cars, but would the CIBA or equivalent be built? I opine that an updated version of Bantam's existing engine would fill that niche admirably. What would the OTL version of the Hotshot be like, if there is one? Could we see a Bantam/Crosley racing team? OTL, the Renault 4cv did very well in its class in the Mille Miglia, so there are places where Bantams could compete. Wouldn't have to be any kind of stock car racing either, could be custom chassis/body with Bantam engine. OTL, Crosley engines were popular in low displacement classes.
I kind of doubt that Bantam/Crosley can make it to modern-day, but played right maybe. Like i said, the Jeep is a strong product and OTL the CIBA had success even after Crosley Motors closed.
Anything other thoughts?
Beg pardon that my sources aren't the greatest but here goes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosley_Corporation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Austin_Car_Company
A Brief History of American Austin and American Bantam
Motoring Memories: American Austin/Bantam, 1937-1940
Military Jeep History: Bantam to MB
History of the Bantam and Willys Jeeps and the BRC (Bantam Reconnaissance Vehicle)
The Original Jeep