Crosley Hot Shot - questions

<P>1950 Crosley Hot Shot</h3><BR> <hr><BR>My brother inherited this from his father-in-law 5 years ago and that is when I first saw it. I remember being intrigued enough then to ask if he'd sell it to me. He refused, but recently asked if I was still interested.  I am, so I arranged to see the car.<P>This is my first view of the car since then. I must admit I was a bit shocked at first as to it's condition - I remembered it as being in better shape.  Fortunately after a little <BR>investigation my first impressions proved wrong.<P>Here's what I know:<P>The <a href="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/cushman05.jpg">Serial Number is  VC 20041</a> so it's a 1950. Being #41 is this a low serial number for the year or was it random?  It has <a href="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/cushman07.jpg">disc brakes</a> - doesn't it?  It appears to have <a href="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/cushman03.jpg">cut down doors </a>which makes it a Hot Shot- right?<P>Car does run, and surprising well too. Doesn't smoke, and revs without any knocking. I can't engage the clutch but it appears to be a petal problem.  It may work fine.<P>The wood in the car is pretty poor, but its all there so it'll make good patterns for replacements.<P>The car comes with a large <a href="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/cushman09.jpg">tupperware container</a> that contains a treasure of parts including a dismantled engine, transmission, heater, and a number of cigar boxes with misc. parts. it also has <a href="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/cushman12.jpg">3 extra valve covers</a> including<BR><a href="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/cushman09.jpg">one aftermarket in aluminum</a> and 3 oil pans. the <a href="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/cushman10.jpg">Windshield</a> is also there. There are 3 extra rims and tires and the top bows remain on the car.<P>The car shows 34,000 miles which I assume is pretty high mileage for a Crosley.<P>The car has one major fault... <a href="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/cushman03.jpg">rust on the lower passenger size under the door</a>.  The rest of the car is surprising rest free.  The floors are rock solid.  The rest of the body is workable, <BR>with misc. dents etc.<P>I'm actually pretty intrigued about it as my first ever "off frame" project.<P>So what are your thoughts on my find?<P>Peter<p>[ 04-25-2002: Message edited by: peterg ]

For more photos goto:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/" TARGET=_blank>www.sillymonkey.com/crosley/</A>

It is the first American production car to come with four wheel disk brakes. It qualifies to run vintage races in the VSCCA. They won their class at Sebring one year in the early 1950's.If you can get it for a good price it would be fun, and thay don't take up too much space. The engines were used in a lot of Italian sports cars and specials. I believe it was Bandini that made a twin cam conversion for them.

Peter - Go for it - you need another good project!

peterg -<BR>You're a fairly big guy. The Hot Shot is a pint size car! Can you fit in behind the wheel and be comfortable driving this pocket rocket?

not really to concerned about "size"... mostly just lookn for a fun project.

Ron,<P>What i really need is to spend more time with my nose under the hood of a car and less time with my nose to a computer screen!

Peter, I already posted info on the Crosley board for you but wanted to comment on the size. Crosleys are small but Powel Crosley was something like 6' 4" and prided himself in building cars he could drive. The sedans and wagons didn't have much rear seat space but had plenty of leg room in the front of most all models.<P>I had a 52 Super Sports for about 20 years and it was a lot of fun to drive. <P>In mid 1949 Crosley switched(all models) to disc brakes and continued into 1950. <P>A Hot Shot won the first Sebring in December 1950 (based on formula). <A HREF="http://www.ggw.org/~cac/Sebring/Sebring.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.ggw.org/~cac/Sebring/Sebring.html</A> The original Hot Shot is being restored currently in Ohio. We hope to see it at the Crosley Nationals in July.<P>Jim...

Jim,<P>Thanks! <BR>BTW, if you want a Crosley forum here instead of at Yahoo just let me know. <P>Peter

Crosley Hotshot production: 1949--752, 1950--742, 1951--646, and 1952--358. With production that low, a serial number of 41 probably puts your car in the second or third month of production anyway! <P>There are quite a number of Hotshots and Crosley engined specials (including all five original Bandinis) currently racing under the VSCCA sanctioned series. Therefore, mechanical parts (or reasonable substitutions) for the car should be fairly well sourced for such a low-production car. Certainly there is an active body of information within that organization that could help you. (Not to mention the Crosely Automobile Club, where I see you've already found a home.) <P>As far as the rust problem is concerned, obviously you're not going to find replacement panels of any kind. However, it would be difficult to imagine an easier car to fabricate panels for. <P>In my opinion this is an ideal first restoration project. Enjoy!