How can you not love a Crosley? From radios to cars, at one time Crosley made it all! While small cars may not be for everyone, they can certainly be a lot of fun. A friend of mine has a very nice example of a Hot Shot in her possession, and she fits in it at roughly six feet tall! In fact, her family owns several differebt Crosleys. Thanks to reader Peter R. for sending this our way! Although this Hot Shot is not in mint condition, it is in very restorable condition and at $4,500 it is affordable. It runs and drives! Find the somewhat confusing listing here on eBay in New York!
Though the pictures are almost all blurry and at unusual angles, it looks like most of this Crosley is here! I can’t tell for sure, but it looks like the only thing missing from this interior is the carpet. Though they will need to be recovered, the seats look mostly intact and in good enough condition to be enjoyed for a while if the new owner so chose. The floors aren’t rusty, and all of the gauges are present and intact.
This Crosley is running and driving! Of the origin of the engine, the seller states “I bought it 15 yrs ago with a bad engine so I found a low milege [sic] motor out of a power plant.” The seller seems to think that this is an excellent engine with very little use. The seller has installed a new clutch and throwout bearing, as well as rebuilt the disc brakes.
This Hot Shot has very minimal rust, and a solid frame. Included is a top and side curtains, as well as a set of top bows. With some minor body work, new paint, and fresh chrome this could really be a looker! Hot Shots always draw a crowd and are a lot of fun to look at. It would not take much to have this Crosley looking fine, and this would be a fun little project for someone looking to get into something unusual. Would you make this Hot Shot hot again?
Not something I can take on, but I hope somebody does. Crosley cars are real conversation-starters, a trip to the hardware store for a few lag bolts may end up with you giving a history lesson on Powel Crowley.
A snow tire on the spare rim! Can’t imagine winter driving in a Hot Shot. Interesting little cars. Most of what I know about them I’ve learned here, on BF.
Gone, as it should be. This looks to have been a great, complete example and probably went for 1/2 to 2/3 of what it might have sold for if it had been an actual auction. Good find. Good buy.
Disc brakes? Not likely. Cute car though and a downright bargain looking at the condition. Ive got a Crosley Super Sports, which is basically the same thing but with doors.
It very well may have 4 wheel disc brakes. Mine does. Crosley was the first to offer disc brakes. First doesn’t always mean best though
bugnbox……….Airheart disc brakes were STANDARD on the Hotshots
Crosley went to 4-wheel disc brakes in 1949. Adapted from aircraft, they corroded badly when exposed to salted winter roads so the company later went back to drums. Not sure which brake system a 1950 model would have. (Of course it’s always possible even if this Hotshot was originally equipped with drum brakes someone may have swapped in discs from a ’49 model sometime in the last nearly 7 decades.)