From Dave Anspach – I am the proud owner of a “barn” (well garage) find 1950 Crosley “Super” Hotshot. Crosley made the Hotshot as America’s first postwar sportscar beginning in 1949. The cars had a varied and successful racing history in multiple National and International venues, not the least of which was the first race at Sebring. In 1950 Crosley, wanting to upgrade their line of vehicles, introduced the “Super” line of vehicles in mid year. The Hotshot, being part of the line, received a “super” treatment also which included a folding top, Fancier trim, upgraded interior and zippered side curtains.
Although there are no numbers available to my knowledge, with a grand total of 742 Hotshot produced for 1950, and a midyear introduction, it is believed that fewer than 150 of these “super” Hotshots were produced. To date, I have found NO pictures of a correctly restored model, no original pictures and very little literature describing how the car should appear. I would appreciate anyone having any such information or photos to share. Plans call for a concours level full frame off restoration for this car as soon as I can find enough detail to do it right!! Thanks in advance!!
Dave Anspach – President Crosley Automobile Club
I had a hand in a restoration a few years ago. I believe it was a 1952. I’ll do some digging.
Try this hemmings ad:
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/10/30/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1950-crosley-hot-shot/
Thanks Robert but that is a standard Hotshot (I have one of those) not a Super.
Dave
Now you know why British sports cars were popular in this era. Ooooooh…. a folding top even!
Lane museum in Nashville, TN. has a nice example.
Somer;
Thank you for your comment, however Jeff has a 1951 Supersports. The later body style not a Super Hotshot.
Dave
My boss had one one Hudson, NH back in the late 1970s. It had been restored when he bought. It looked to be in great condition, but that was my first introduction to the Crosley. I had never even heard of the marque prior to his purchase. Having learned a little more about them, wonder whatever happened to that one.
try http://www.crosleykook.blogspot.com
i hope this one does get back on the road, either as a driver or looking as good as the one on hemmings or both. thanks for sharing and please keep us updated.
What kind of engine powers this car?
Charles;
44 cu in ohc 4cylinder of 26.5 hp.
I am a Crosley fan. Since Mr. Dave is president of the Crosley Automobile Club and he is having trouble ……………this will be a tough one.
One of the most knowledgeable people in the US on Crosley’s is a guy named Paul in Burlington, IA. ….. I have been to his house and he has one of every type of Crosley ever made and he knows everything about these cars. He has been featured on one of the first episodes of American Pickers. I don’t know his last name but I’m sure with just a little research on the web you can find his full name or look at the first season episodes of American PIckers.
Here is the link to an article from Hemmings Motor News about Paul Gorrell from Burlington, IA. and pictures of his collection of Crosley’s.
http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2011/04/01/hmn_feature10.html
Early Crosleys had a Waukesha Engine.
The Waukesha Engine Company, also known as the Motor Works was a Waukesha institution. John Schoenknecht wrote a series of columns about the company in the Waukesha Freeman. The columns have been published in a 72 page book which is now available. The book features many photos that have never been published. Buy it at…
http://www.wschley.com/MotorWorks/index.htm
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/09/01/a-trio-of-crosleys-and-a-pair-of-bantams-head-to-auction/
Above is another Hemmings link about three Crosleys going to auction earlier this year. I never knew about these car before this year. Neat little car. Good luck restoring it and hope to hear tails about the race track…..
The ” Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975″ lists the following figures for the 1949 HotShot Roadster : Model: VC, Body type: 2-dr Rds-2p, Factory Price: $849, Shipping Wt-1175 lbs, Production Total-752. It does not show a picture of the HotShot.
Dave,
I have a 1950 Hot shot. It has a Super script on the Fenders. See the attached pictures. I never understood this because it was not a Super Sport. Maybe it is one of your Super Models?
Don,
It very likely is, the Hotshot body style with a folding top are the discriminating features. I would be happy to share pictures with you and any information I can find.
Dave
My mom was a demonstration driver for Crosley at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. She told me she would drive people around on a track Crosley had constructed on the fairgrounds. She told me the ’39 Crosley was a terrible little car she hated driving, and I suppose she was entitled to her opinion. She was also not the world’s smoothest driver, so I doubt she turned many curious fair goers into Crosley buyers.
Looks like the love child of an old Jeep CJ and and MG!
Very cool looking, but…
Friends don’t let friends drive cars with stamped sheet metal engine blocks!!
Abarth Bill and Brian: All Crosleys made after 1948, including all Hot Shots, Super Sports and Super Hot Shots, came with the Crosley-built four cylinder CIBA (Cast Iron Block Assembly) motor that replaced the earlier, Lloyd Taylor-designed CoBra (Copper Brazed, i.e. “tin block”). No Hot Shot ever came stock with a tin block.
Early Crosleys did feature an air-cooled Waukesha 2 cylinder, but all postwar Crosleys came with a Crosley-made overhead cam four cylinder motor, either CoBra or CIBA.
Dave Anspach is right – hard to come by any verified info on Crosley production, but finding details on the roadsters is particularly tough. Got into documenting the interiors on the blog a while back, but there are still a whole lotta questions: http://crosleykook.blogspot.com/2011/11/resto-debate-hotshot-and-super-sports.html
And, Sir Mike, thanks for the hat tip!