The resurrection of a 1950 Crosley Hotshot

The Mack Truck is now at its owners and I have some space again in the shop. Got the Hotshot back out and am beginning the patching process again. There is a small area on the cowl panel where the windshield sits that needs replaced, and that is the project for today. Also working to get the dash panel in place and that is what you see with all the clamps. They are holding a piece of metal that will attach to the dash panel then be welded in place. Two small straps that attach to the lower corners of the dash will attach to the braces I installed on the sides of the body months ago.

Yesterday I worked on the dash board mounting. Shaped and formed a sheet of metal to mount under the cowl and it will attach to the dashboard. It is now welded to the cowl panel and ready for the dashboard to be welded in, but only once all repairs are made under the cowl and to the dashboard. Dashboard is just held in place with clamps for test fitting.

Some progress made today as the snow flies outside. I welded the brackets for the windshield supports to the under side of the cowl and worked on the front driver side fender. Just a small hole in both the inner fender and outer fender. Quick easy work and it is now ready for body filler. On to the next repair.

More work done over the weekend. I attached the two windshield brackets to the side panel braces. It is now ready for the dashboard to be welded in. I also started removing paint from the front fender to see what it looked like. Not too bad other than a few dents in the front. And the last project for the weekend was to replace the lower rear fender. A new piece was cut and formed and welded in place. It is starting to look really good, less and less clamps holding it together:).

I suppose this might be a good place to tell my story about my only Crosley experience. This is just a short story so I won't hijack this thread. Back in summer of 1973, I worked for a towing service that had a contract with the city to tow away abandoned cars left on the street. Back then, you actually had to pay, usually ten dollars, to dispose of your unwanted vehicle. So, the usual case was that if someone didn't pay the rent for their private parking spot, the car got pushed out onto the street. Anyway, these cars would accumulate in the towing company's yard, until the junk man came for them to eventually be crushed. Looking over this crop of vehicles, I was drawn to a very small two seat roadster type of car that I had never seen before. It was red and looked fairly complete and not too bad of condition. The only thing that seemed to be different was that there was an airplane generator in place of the engine. This looked like a conversion that wasn't complete, and had stalled for some reason. Upon closer examination, I found a nameplate that identified this car as a Crosley. I may have heard of Crosleys before, but had never really seen one, except for maybe a refrigerator. The boss said that I could have any one of the cars for free, and acquiring a title would be no problem as these were all now legal property of the towing company. I would have loved to take advantage of the opportunity, but as it was, still living with my parents, and having to park my daily driver ('70 Roadrunner 383/4spd) on the street there was no way I could do this. Besides, had I been able, I probably would have snapped up the '66 Fairlane GTA that was sitting there. Some years later, while purchasing my '57 Ford, the seller asked if I knew anyone who would want a Crosley engine that he knew of, that was sitting in a lady's basement for a cost of little or nothing. Of course my thoughts flashed back to the Crosley I could have had, but sorely I had to tell him NO. I guess that, like we've all painfully discovered, timing is everything.

Larry,

Nice story. So many cars so little space... Crosley's are good cars to collect, though, as they don't take up a lot of space.

It's in!!!! Yesterday a small milestone was reached. The dashboard was welded in place.

I first replaced a small section of the front fender then started on the placement of the dashboard. It went in without a hitch. I need to get the inner side supports on the side panels. I have debated this for several months and I am now leaning towards putting 1/2" square tubing in place of the support that was originally used. The original was a ribbed strip of metal and my bead roller will not roll a bead as large as it was. The inside panels will be covered with vinyl trim when the car is done so it will not be seen anyhow. Then I can prepare to lift the body off the frame to finish welding all the panels on the under side and start work on the chassis.

I hope everyone is enjoying the resurrection of this Crosley.

Great thread Dale...brings back many memories ......and thoughts of things to come!!!

Dale I'm glad you end up with this Hotshot, with the skills you have I can see it will be finished and be a nice fun car again. I saw the pictures of this when it was for sale and I thought it was a lot worse than some of the prospective buyers thought and I was afraid it would be a project that never would get finished, once it got started and end up as a parts for sale in a few years.

Dave and Jim,

Thank you for your positive comments. Dave, you should start a thread on one of your projects...

Jim,

I will say that having another hotshot to compare things to has helped me a lot. Without the finished Hotshot, getting dimensions for floor panels, side panels and all those missing brackets and things would have been almost impossible to get right. I don't know how many times I looked at the 49 Hotshot to see how it was assembled originally.

The side panel braces were installed today. I didn't have the correct ones for the car, they were formed rib supports that were about 2 1/2" wide and the rib was about 1" across and 1/2" high, so I had to find something suitable for the job. I came up with 1/2" square tubing that was cut to length and put in place. I marked where they should go then removed them and drilled holes every 6" in the side panel so that I could weld them on. Then I clamped them in place and welded them on. They have stiffened the sides up considerably. It is now ready to remove the body!

We have lift-off of the body! Today at 3:30 I started to lift the body from the frame with a jack. No real noticeable flex of the body as I lifted the back. Then I moved to the front, lifting it off the frame. It now has a 4" lift kit! Now to get some straps and lift it the rest of the way off. What do you think???

Nice lift can I get it in 4wd to

Today the body was lifted off the chassis. It came off without a hitch and is now hanging in the shop awaiting more repairs on the underside of the body. There needs to be final welds made on the new metal that was put in but couldn't be welded until the body was removed from the chassis. Then bodywork can be started.

The chassis work started today. The frame had been cleaned and painted at some point prior to my purchase so it is not in too bad of shape. I wire brushed as much as I could and it is looking pretty good. The front axle had been replaced at some time prior to my purchase with an incorrect and poorly attached axle. The springs were rusted bad and the disc brakes were wrong for this year also. I have another complete axle and springs that will replace the existing one.

I also started getting the drive line parts gathered together that will be needed for this project. I hope within a few weeks to have the frame painted and drive line in it.

Dale;

Take a fools advice and spend the extra time on the frame. Once you put the body back on, it is too late to make the frame really nice. Also don't forget that the frame has a bottom side. It is difficult on a Crosley, but spend the time to lift it up and do the bottom. Springs can be difficult, but the investment of time now will save you a lot of headaches later!!!

Depending on the serial number your 50 Hotshot might have disc brakes. Bendix 9" started at VC-20654 by my records. For a driver you know as well as I that the 9" are probably better for dependability.

Jim,

I sent you a PM. I think this car was originally a drum car as the rear axle is drum and it is specific to VC's with the spring mounts and no radius rods. The front axle was definitely changed at some time just to make it a roller. But who knows if anything was original to the chassis??? I do have one question for you Jim. On the front axle, the bow in the middle goes to the front right (opposite of the CC and CD)? The tie rod ends still mount behind the axle, right? And the shims that go between the axle and springs have the thicker area towards the front or rear? Well I guess that is 3 questions...

I answered your PM, I assume you got it.

Been awhile since I have been under a VC, Dave or Fred can probably answer specifics better than me, but here is what I remember. I thought the VCs still had the radius rods on the rear. I believe the offset in the axel goes forward and the tie bar is still behind it, but seems like the early VCs were in front but not sure when they changed. The shims need to rotate the axle so that the kingpins angle slightly back, I think that means they are on the front side of the axle, but I always have to lay on my back and think about it when I put them in. Believe me you will know if you put them on the wrong side, you will not be able to keep it on the road over about 35mph.

Talked to Fred he said the disc brake axle had the tie bar in front and the 9" Bendix axle had the tie bar on the back bent to roughly the contour of the axle.

I got your PM, Jim. Thanks for the information. On the wedge, my 49 Hotshot it is in the back, hummmm, will have to look at the Supersports...

Work is progressing on the chassis. It is in remarkably good condition, having been cleaned and painted at some point in its life. There are a few studs that the threads are rusted away and need replace so today I worked at removing them. The 4 front bumper bracket studs were first to go and then the 4 gas tank mounting studs were removed, now waiting for new ones. The front axle was installed after finding out which way the shim goes... If it is not right it is not too hard to change when everything is back together. I checked my 1949 Hotshot and 1952 Supersports and they are both in with the thicker part towards the rear of the axle. Now some sanding and smoothing and the chassis will be ready for a coat of gloss black paint. The 2X4's on the chassis are for a framework for the body, will be making it soon and then will be able to do the work on the body that needs done and be able to roll it around also.

Made the body cart and the body is now sitting on its cart. The frame is getting ready for paint and the front is hung from a beam. It has been wire brushed and ground as smooth as it is going to get. Maybe by the weekend I will have it in black paint and be able to start assembly of the chassis? In looking it over as it hangs from the beam I look and see that the spring with more leaves is on the passenger side, darn. I knew that the spring with more leaves goes on the drivers side but for some reason it was put on the wrong side. So the whole front suspension had to be removed and the springs switched to the right side. All is well now.

I have started gathering the parts needed for the chassis assembly; torque tube flange at transmission, universal joint, transmission mount, engine mounts, front drums and backing plates, engine, transmission have all been accounted for. All these are parts which accumulate over the years when you collect Crosleys.

Some progress to report today. The first picture is of a number stamped into the frame. Last Friday the frame was painted and is hanging in the shop. It is not perfect, but I don't expect this car to ever be a 400 point car considering what I started with. While it was drying, I worked under the body stripping undercoating. Three inner fenders done one to go. Also got the lower section of the firewall stripped of undercoating. Some spots will need some metal replaced, yet others still wear the original light green paint that was put on at the Crosley factory.

What do you think?

Some progress to report on the 1950 Hotshot. The drive line is starting to take shape as the transmission was put in last week and the engine was cleaned up and painted and then installed in the frame for the first time in many years. Jim B., note the position of the "CROSLEY" script on the block. The rear coil springs have been installed and waiting now for the shocks all the way around. Chassis is starting to look like something!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope that Santa brings you everything that you wanted. Peace on Earth and Good will to all!!!!!

God Bless,

Dale

All of this style block I have seen so far have had the flat top combustion chamber and a thinner bottom flange. I think this is an early cast block, maybe a replacement block for the tin when the engines were rebuilt by the factory. If this is all true it was not original to the car. What is the serial number of the engine.

Jim,

If the crankcase is original to the block, which it probably is, it is 103027 which makes it an early block.

Yea the crankcase is from before the Hotshot was introduced in 1949, probably March/April time frame.

I hope everyone's holiday season was good.

Now that the Jolly old elf is gone and things are getting back to normal the last few days have been spent cleaning up the intake and exhaust manifolds. They were media blasted and then powder coated with clear on the intake manifold and hi temp stainless steel on the exhaust manifold. The carb was reinstalled and now the intake and exhaust are waiting installation on the motor. I want to try and fire up the engine in the next couple of weeks just to make sure everything is in order.

Last week I hooked up a coil and put plugs, wires, cap and rotor on the engine and cranked it over for the first time in years. Then poured a little gas in the carburetor and it fired up for a moment or two. I just wanted to make sure it will fire once the body is back on as it is much easier to work on without the body.

Then some repairs were made to the front inner fender on the drivers side. Also a small patch was made for the passenger side fender at the trailing edge. Enjoy the pictures, and let me know what you think so far.

I have the shocks for the chassis and will be installing the rear ones soon. I have to make a bracket for the lower mounts on the front shocks, then they can be installed. Brake components are also next on the list for the chassis.

looks good

Al

I just found this thread and have read through it. Quite a project and it looks nearly done. Congrats on such a project. I'll be looking forward to following the rest of it.

Thanks for sharing.

Keith

Work is continuing slowly on the Hotshot. I placed and order with a Crosley vender and on Friday the mailman brought me the goodies. I ordered a new master cylinder, 4 wheel cylinders, and 2 banjo fittings and bolts for the rear wheel cylinders. Now the brakes can be completed on the chassis.

One reason I took on this project in the first place was that I had another Hotshot to compare to. Well in doing the brakes I had to do some more comparison. I installed the brake and clutch assembly and noticed that it wasn't parallel with the chassis and also the brake rod didn't line up with the master cylinder?:confused: I removed the brake and clutch assembly from my good one and from this car and found that they are different(black painted one is from the car I am rebuilding). Note the difference in the height of the levers and the different angles they have. Also not the added brackets on the bottoms of the levers. In examining the one from the good Hotshot I find that the clutch and brake levers are cut and welded and in fact the brake rod is actually another clutch lever that is cut and welded and used in place of the brake lever. The Crosley factory must have modified sedan parts to make the Hotshot. Now I have to find another clutch lever, (I have them somewhere...just can't locate them now) so that I can cut and weld it to match the one from the good car and also cut and weld the clutch lever.

More goodies in the mail today from another Crosley parts supplier. It is so nice to have several good parts suppliers for the Crosley. Todays package has a pitman arm, which is Hotshot specific, two lower front shock mounts, and 3 brake shoe adjusting cams. Now I can get the brakes and shocks done, I hope. :cool:

More progress has been made today on the chassis. I have installed both front shocks along with there lower mounts.

And if you have been following along you know that I had some problems with the brake and clutch levers. The Crosley Hotshot and SuperSports used a modified sedan brake and clutch lever. I found a spare set and set out to modify them. They were both cast steel and I cut and shortened them and welded them back together at the right angles. They look just like the sample I have from my 1949 Hotshot. They are now painted and ready to install after I make a spacer for under the transmission for the bracket. There was also wear on the pivot shaft and the worn area was welded up and brought back to its original size.

Work is still progressing on the wheel cylinders and brakes but nothing to take pictures of.

Hello...what a lovely find. I am from Bangladesh and I recently acquired what is quite possibly the only Hotshot that was ever imported into the country.

Unfortunately the original engine block isn't there any more and I was wondering if these can still be found? Would love to restore it as close to stock as possible. As it is I plan on using your posts as a template for the work that I shall be doing on mine

Orangebugman,

Glad you found my rebuild of this Hotshot, it has been quite a challenge, but it is coming along good.

Engines are plentiful here in the USA, several are on ebay at any given time. A few Crosley club member specialize in rebuilding the engines also. Most mechanical parts are also available for Crosleys through several parts suppliers and club members. Check out this page for more information, http://crosleyautoclub.com/

Dale

thank you! this will be a great help. i have been looking for it on ebay but to no avail till now. good to know that these engines can still be found. it would be great to find a cast iron one...

Nice to see some being restored. Here is a '50 in the ACD Museum: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?48816-Orphan-of-the-Day-02-18-1952-Crosley-Super-Sports&highlight=CROSLEY

Craig

Doing a little cleaning in the inner fender wells. All four inner fender wells are now stripped clean of undercoating. It was a process of using a heat gun and a putty knife and then taking a rag soaked in gasoline and wiping everything down till the undercoating was gone. I will now do final cleaning and scuffing on the underside and get it ready for primer. I may even take it off the cart and lay the body on its side to prime it??:confused:

Jim, note the first picture of the inner fender on the passenger side, there is no paint on the lower edge where the inner fender extension is attached, which means it was installed before the body was put on the chassis. That would make it hard with the battery box that is mounted to the frame.:confused:

The chassis is coming along also, getting the brake lines installed and front wheel cylinders in. Once I have the body's underside painted it will be ready to install on the completed chassis.

I got the brake and clutch levers installed on the shaft and back on the chassis and they look like they will now work.

We have had one of the coldest February's on record and the Kiski River shows it, I haven't seen the river frozen like that, ever. I don't think I would try walking out on the ice but it has been frozen for a couple weeks now.