conceptcarz.com

1952 Crosley Supershot

1952 Crosley Supershot 1952 Crosley Supershot 1952 Crosley Supershot Crosley was one of the few pre-war Indiana producers to build cars after the Second World War, and 1952 would be their final attempt at winning the hearts of car buyers. The Crosley was introduced in 1939 and was built as a low-cost, basic vehicle. Sales reached 9,089 in 1948, with body styles ranging from convertible to station wagon. By 1952, sales had dwindled to just 2,075 units. At this point, the company was owned by the General Tire Company, and it made the decision to end automobile production.

This Crosley Super Shot was purchased by Frank Lloyd Wright. It has been given a restoration and painted in his signature color of Taliesin Red. Power is from a 44 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine that offers 25.5 horsepower. The car, which has an 85-inch wheelbase, sold new for $1,029.


By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010
1952 Crosley Supershot High bid of $9,500 at 2013 Mecum Auctions - Monterey. (did not sell)
This Crosley Super Sport is the 318th built in 1952 out of approximately 350. It has its original chrome parts, a rebuilt engine, 3-speed transmission, and a folding top.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013
Powel Crosley, a manufacturer of radios and refrigerators, began manufacturing automobiles in 1940. The Crosley cars were tiny, quirky, and not very popular.

The 'Hot Shot' was America's first post-war sports car. With only 26.5 horsepower, the car was not very fast, but it handled well and offered an elemental wind-in-face experience typical of British MG's. Only 2,498 Hot Shots were built between 1948 and 1952. Even though production may have begun in 1948, they were listed as 1949 models. Also, the 2,498 Crosleys produced include both the VC (Roadster) Hotshots and Supersports. Crosley left the car business after 1952.

Introduced in 1949, as a Super Hot Shot, the Crosley Hot Shot came with cut down sides without doors, or removable half doors. The Hot Shot was available at the low price of $849. With new styling that included integral fenders, smooth hood, turn indicators (on sedans and convertibles) and sealed-beam headlights in upright pods the 1949 was by far the best car produced by Crosley. An 80-inch wheelbase was found on the convertible, station wagon, delivery and sedan models. On the new Hotshot roadster the wheelbase was updated to an 85-inch. The main variances between the previous model and the Hot Shot was the super side script, the folding top rather than assembled and the red trim around the cockpit. Before 9' hydraulic brakes were installed in June, current roadsters came with 4-wheel Goodyear – Hawley aircraft-style disc brakes. This change was implemented due to the salt-filled country roads that caused freeze-up problems with the brakes.

While working on a U.S. Navy project during the war, Crosley used a block of brazed copper and sheet steel to develop the overhead cam four-cylinder. Eventually, postwar cars were installed with these 60 lb engines. Displacing 44 cubic inches, this five-main-bearing engine developed 26.5 hp at 5400 rpm. This engine was popular during the war in powering everything from Mooney Mite airplanes to truck refrigerators. Subject to electrolysis that resulted in holes developing in cylinders, the copper-steel block was updated to a cast-iron block designed and built by Crosley in 1949. Keeping the original dimensions, this engine added much more stability to the vehicle.

Unfortunately, Crosley's reputation for unstable engines affected sales in the future. The 1949 model was produced in only 7431 units, this drop from 19,000 units for the 1947 model and 29,000 of the 1948s.

Winning the Index of Performance at the Sebring Twelve Hours, the Hotshot was sleek and speedy. Able to achieve 90 miles an hour, the semi-elliptical-spring front suspension and coil springs with rear quarter elliptics were impressive.

By Jessica Donaldson

1952 Crosley Supershot Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1952 Supershot
$1,030-$17,350
1952 Crosley Supershot Base Price : $1,030

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1952 Crosley Models

Hot Shot

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
85.00 in.
4 cyl., 44.24 CID., 26.00hp
$850 - $850
85.00 in.
4 cyl., 44.24 CID., 26.00hp
$870 - $925
85.00 in.
4 cyl., 44.24 CID., 26.00hp
$950 - $950
350
80.00 in.
4 cyl., 44.24 CID., 26.00hp
$1,030 - $1,030

Related Automotive News

Raw Power Has a Stamp of Its Own Muscle Cars Roar at Spring Classic Auction

Raw Power Has a Stamp of Its Own Muscle Cars Roar at Spring Classic Auction

What do you get when you bring the U.S. Postal Service and Dana Mecums Original Spring Classic Auction together at the State Fairgrounds — a Muscle Car Extravaganza! Since it began 26 years ago, Mecums Spring Classic auction in Indianapolis...
'Motor Klassik Award 2013': Five Awards for Mercedes-Benz

'Motor Klassik Award 2013': Five Awards for Mercedes-Benz

Victory in the categories Classics up to 1930, Classics 1947-1961, and 2012 Auction Car Classics of the future G-Class wins in the Off-Roader category and the CLS Shooting Brake wins for the Luxury Segment More than 22,000 M...
RICHARD PETTY DEDICATES MUSCLE CARS FOREVER STAMPS

RICHARD PETTY DEDICATES MUSCLE CARS FOREVER STAMPS

Raw power gets a stamp of its own today as seven-time NASCAR National Champion Richard Petty helps dedicate the America on the Move Muscle Cars Forever stamps. Petty, his son Kyle and Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe will dedicate the limited-edition...
MICHELIN INTRODUCES THE PILOT SPORT A/S 3 TIRE

MICHELIN INTRODUCES THE PILOT SPORT A/S 3 TIRE

MICHELIN INTRODUCES THE PILOT® SPORT AS 3™ TIRE A BREAKTHROUGH ALL-SEASON TIRE DELIVERS TOTAL PERFORMANCE IN WET, DRY AND COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS NEW ORLEANS – (Dec. 11, 2012) – Michelin North America unveiled today the latest innova...
WORLD'S GREATEST SUPERCARS BATTLE FOR NEW FASTEST LAP AT PAGEANT OF POWER

WORLD'S GREATEST SUPERCARS BATTLE FOR NEW FASTEST LAP AT PAGEANT OF POWER

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (15-17 June, www.cpop.co.uk) announces new Supercar class New racing category will see Lamborghini Aventador, BAC Mono, new Porsche 911 and many more competing for the lap record Unique opportunity to see ultra-rare...