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The resurrection of a 1950 Crosley Hotshot


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Here are the pictures that were promised before I left for Hershey.  Voltage regulator and gauge cluster installed.  

Dad and I had a great time at Hershey, we have been going to Hershey since 1981.  It was absolutely wonderful weather, except for the Friday storm (I wish when they announce high winds, people would heed the warnings and take there easy-up tents down!) and saw lots of old friends and met many new friends.  Lots of sales to Canada.  Great job to the Hershey Region for another wonderful show.  Can't wait till next year! 

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Haven't got a lot done on the Super Hotshot as I have been getting ready for winter. Getting all my toys winterized and put away for the winter. Some things have been done though. Got the tires mounted on the painted wheels and the spare tire installed. Finished up the brakes and now they need fluid and bled. Painted and installed the radio speaker mesh that was purchased at Hershey.

Was getting ready to install the front Crosley emblem that also was purchased at Hershey and measured my other Hotshot to find out where I needed to drill the holes to mount it. It was 8 3/8" up to the bottom of the emblem from the leading edge, decided to also measure the Super Sports, 9 1/2" up to the bottom... Nothing is the same on these hand build sports cars..

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I got the emblem on and some of the other small things done. Gathered up all the parts that I have for it and took inventory to see what is left to get.

We have been having beautiful weather around here so I cleaned it up some yesterday and put it outside for some pictures today. Looks pretty good! What do you think?

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Working on the wiring harness the last couple of days.  Not a hard harness to make as there is only about 15-20 wires in the whole harness, definitely not a computer controlled mess like those of today!.  It will be made from new plastic coated wire and not the cloth covered variety either.  Most of the harness is unseen and what will be seen will be wrapped in friction tape.  Hope to have it connected enough to get the engine running in a week or two.  

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Lots of things have been going on since I last posted.  Work has been good and I have been busy with that.  With kids and family I have been keeping busy and having a good time.  But I have gotten a few things done on the Super Hotshot.

I have most of the wiring harness finish, with the exception of the headlight and parking/taillight connections and two wires for the generator.  I got a new headlight switch and dimmer switch, new spark plug wires and fuel hose.  I hooked up the oil pressure gauge and got the main cables for the starter and battery.  I have put fluid in the master cylinder and started to bleed the brakes.  AND the big thing today was...

I started it for the first time with the ignition switch.  After a few minor glitches, fuel pump top put on wrong, sucking fuel away from the carb instead of towards it.  Throttle was on backwards so it started at full throttle.  It now runs and starts with ease.  Now to finish bleeding the brakes, put radiator hoses on it and fill with fluid and put a seat in it and go for a ride...:)

 

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I figured you would want to see some updated pictures.  Not much new, wiring, switches, hoses, etc.  Still a few things to do to it before it is ready for the road.

If you are interested in it, the car is for sale.  I bought it with the intentions of restoring it and selling to someone that would like a antique that wouldn't break the bank but be a fun car to take to car shows and local cruises.  As you can see it is not quite complete, but far enough along to get you into the hobby quickly and most parts that it does need are readily available through several Crosley parts vendors.  I do have the seat frames and a few other odds and ends for the car not shown.  If you have any questions feel free to post here or send me an IM.

The price is $6995.00 at this stage of restoration. 

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It's the little things that take all the time...  Well, in this case the little things on the little car.  Today was the day to refinish the air cleaner, off the car and into the media blaster then to powder coat.  As I type this it is baking at 400 degrees.

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Hooked up the water pump coupler and installed the horn over the last couple of days.  Had to change out the generator as the pulley width was way to wide.  Fired it up and let it run for about 20-25 minutes and it sounds pretty good.  Also took it around the lot a few more times, sounds and drives good.  Hope to fine tune a few things before it goes to Wauseon OH for the National meet to be sold, but I will sell it before I go if someone is interested.  $6995.00  Western PA

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Beautiful little car, but I am confused about something. I see photos of Crosleys and about 75% of them have the front bumper on where the angle matches the wheel cutout of the fender....like you have it in post #126. The other 25% have it on like it is in your post #146 (your last post). Which is correct? 

Edited by keiser31 (see edit history)
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Keiser,

Keen eye there, Keiser...  I think it was just the way they got put on, or back on after the restoration.  Like you have noted they are installed both ways and it is not know which is correct.  The front and the rear bumpers are the same.

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I have looked at factory photos and found them both ways.  I think it was whatever way the factory work was picking them up that day or possibly who was working. Since they fit both ways, does the assembly line worker care which way it goes on.

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Hi Dale,

Just started restoration of a 1951 Crosley "Super".  The chassis and running gear is clean as a whistle, mostly restored and waiting for body work.  The body is very rusty, not quite as bad as the one in this (excellent) write up.  I'm 80 years old and enjoy fixing things but as far as body work goes I'm a total novice and don't have the time or energy to learn how to do this.  BUT, the car is rare and interesting to me and I'd like to do a good job of restoring the car to original condition.

 

I've removed the body from the frame and attached to a wooden frame and mounted the wooden frame onto a small utility trailer.  At this point I'm hoping to find someone within 1000 miles of here (Galveston, TX) that will do the body work I need and paint it (light blue stock color) or primer.

Is this a job you would consider or could you suggest someone?

 

THANKS for this great writeup and any ideas you might provide to me,

 

Charlie

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