Probably the Goofiest Sports Car ever made

This is the story of America's first post-war Sports Car, the Crosley Hotshot

Check out my Classic Car Buyers Guide!

Support the channel!

Disclaimer
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

[bartscarstories]

Here's the early sketch of the Hotshot! I forgot to include it!

[seed_drill]

The engine was extremely high revving for the day and you could buy hop up kits from J.C. Whitney that would let you hit 90. In fact, the engines were so good they continued in production for boat racing long after Crosley exited automobile production.

[tdoggedy]

I drove two hotshots at an auto auction that I worked for. It was honestly one of the best cars I ever drove there. The throttle was snappy, the handling was like a go kart, and even the shifter was smooth. Even when you're only going 30 mph in that thing, it feels like 60. So much fun and I hope I get to own one one day.

[markkeyser]

I owned a 52 Hotshot in 1964 - it was my first car. (I was 14 years old!) It had a Braje racing head and intake for twin carburetors. If I remember correctly it had 4 Airhart disc brakes (although they may have been Goodyear-Hawley brakes). I bought it from the son of the President of Amherst College and kept it in carriage house on their property. I paid $50.00 for it and it came with a spare engine and transmission. I eventually sold the car to Sandy from Sandy's Speed Shop in Westhampton, MA. I have no idea what became of it after that.

[ott]

Crosley has a rich history, albeit obscure, being from Cincinnati, I appreciate this video

[cadiencanaille]

MY father raced inboard engine boats in the late 50’s and early 60’s. They used a 44cu. in. Crosley engine.

[markpospichal]

I know they are not sports cars but the closest thing I ever drove to the pure, thrilling, sports car feel was the early Pinto wagon with a four speed. Find a twisty, hilly, backroad and throw them into the corners, what fun! The wife and I had three of them. Amazing high speed handling, at least the cars made it feel that way even though they weren't really that fast...

[T-]

Thanks for the enjoyable program. Powell Crosley Jr. was a remarkable, visionary guy. By the late 20’s and thru the 30s Crosley, based in Cincinnati, was the “Henry Ford of Radio”, the largest radio manufacturer in the country, by building good performing, very affordable products. The list of his accomplishments is interesting and impressive.

[HattedMan]

Honestly, i respect crosly for just wanting to make a good car

[deformemvita]

I used to own a 1948 Crosley wagon, but I've never heard of the Hotshot... and now I want one.

[MisterSprocket]

H modified was an awesome class. I can’t think of any other class in scca where basically all development and new technology for the class, was done by individuals, not auto manufacturers. Guys like Jim Broadwell built crosley based, tube frame, fiberglass bodied kits. These cars punched way above their displacement and the drivers were their own mechanics and engineers. Everything from crosley, to Saab, and mercury outboard motors were used to power these featherweight cars. It was a class with hard, close racing and a small, die hard following, and the crosley, specifically the hotshot, paved the way. Bart, I enjoy your videos on cars and motorcycles. I personally would love to see h modified featured in its own video from you. Until next time.

[kevinangus]

As soon as I saw the title, I asked, "What, a Crosley?"
Damn! Got it! They were a forgotten classic, made using a stamping press, and sold thru appliance stores. They were small enough to fit thru shop double doors, no special garage needed.

[myvws]

Crosley started off making radios originally. I'd LOVE to have a Crosley!

[crimsontiger]

I had an NA miata or mx-5. It wasn't fast or luxurious but it was the most fun driving I've ever had. I've owned a Subaru WRX and a Golf GTi as well as a motorcycles that could do 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds (and do well over 200km/h. But the car I wish I still had is that little mx-5 that made me smile so much.
My BMW K1600GTL launched like a rocket ship. What an engine that bike had. It was heavy too. I would like to see a naked bike with that engine

[ludercoarms]

Another cool video -- Just a funny little thing, the three speed gearboxes Crosley used (Borg Warner T92) were also used in Economy Power King Tractors, a large garden tractor produced in the 60's and 70's.

[tomtroester]

I owned for a Super Sport for a short time in I believe 1962. I knew a lot about Crosley cars. Their original engine block was made from brazed sheet metal with steel cylinder liners. The coolant rusted through the sheet metal block and they changed to a cast block. The over head cam was driven from a shaft via bevel gears to cam and crankshaft. The head and block were one casting so there was no head gasket to blow. This allowed racing pistons and huge compression ratios could be used. This method was also used on the Offonhouser Indy race engines. Crosley also won at the 24 Hour Le Man race in the Index of Performance class.

[JoeCoutureMusicCouture]

Went to high school with a classmate that drove one to school. He just drove on the sidewalk & parked by the bike rack. Friends (4) were always picking his car up & twisting it around making it hard to come out of his parking space.

[damham]

My friends dad has a Hotshot. We call it the clown car, because he actually drove it in Shriners parades. What was really cool was when he and my brother drove around together. My brother had a 1958 and a 1959 Berkeley's.

[leewyton]

I had a 1950 station wagon conv., that my mother sold for 25.00$ when I was in Nam!!! Still Pissed !!! Also had a 52 Hotshot. My first car, another story !!!

[michaeljoesmith]

My uncle had a Hot Shot in white color. I remember that the car had a wind up music box in the dash that played "Merrily We Roll Along".