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1951 Crosley Super Sport

Powell Crosley, Jr. was a Cincinnati industrialist well-known for his radios and refrigerators. Near the close of the 1930s, he ventured into automobile production, first under the Crosley Corporation banner and later under Crosley Motors Incorporated. Catering to the subcompact car market, they built sedans, pickups, convertibles, and a sports car. The most popular body style was the station wagon, and perhaps the most unique was a small jeep-like vehicle.

Civilian production was halted during World War II, but Crosley remained busy manufacturing the four-cylinder COBRA industrial engine for the U.S. Government, which helped to put the company on solid financial footing. When peacetime returned, Crosley automobile production resumed, but its reputation was soon damaged due to engine failures. 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 known as the COBRA engine. It displaced 44 cubic inches and had five main bearings. It was used during the war for several applications, including in Mooney Mite airplanes and truck refrigerators. Issues arose due to electrolysis that resulted in holes developing in cylinders. The stamped copper-steel block was shortly updated to a cast-iron block designed and built by Crosley in 1949. The original dimensions were retained, but the use of a cast-iron block increased the engine's weight. The extra weight over the front wheels did add more stability to the vehicle.

Crosley's reputation had been damaged by the failed engines, so to help rejuvenate sales, Crosley introduced a new roadster in 1949 dubbed the Hot Shot. Over a four-year period of time, approximately 2,500 examples were produced.

The Crosley Hot Shot was a two-passenger lightweight roadster powered by a new cast iron engine, or CIBA (Crosley Cast Iron Block Assembly), developed by Crosley, which replaced the previous sheetmetal block that had tarnished the company's reputation. The 44 cubic-inch straight-4-cylinder engine produced approximately 26.5 horsepower.

The compact proportions of the Hot Shot measured 85 inches at its wheelbase, an overall length of 137 inches, and a width of 51 inches. The largely new, dropped frame was suspended at the rear by coil springs and a single-leaf quarter-elliptical spring that doubled as torque-rods. A novelty of the era was its four-wheel disc brakes. Four-wheel Goodyear–Hawley aircraft-style disc brakes were initially used but soon replaced by 9-inch hydraulic brakes. This change was implemented due to the salt-filled country roads that caused freezing-up problems with the brakes.

Styling features included a flat, one-piece windshield, door cutouts, 'bug eye' headlights positioned high on a sloping nose, and a rear deck-mounted spare tire. Devoid of a trunk lid, access to the rear stowage room was by folding the seat-backs forward.

The Crosley Hot Shot was introduced with a base price of $849. It had an overall weight of 1,095 lbs, but this could be reduced even further for motorsport competition by removing the non-folding soft-top and side curtains and the detachable windscreen.

Crosleys won the Index of Performance (speed, time, displacement, and weight) at the Twelve-Hours of Sebring races with the Hotshot.

The Crosley Super Sport


Crosley added a Super version in 1950 and renamed it a year later as the Super Sports. This version had a full red plastic leather upholstery and lining, and a fold-down top. Later 1951 and 1952 Super Sports were distinguishable from the early Hot Shots by having full doors, while the Hot Shots had cut-down sides with either no doors or removable half doors. Another distinguishable feature was the 'Super' side script.


by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023

Related Reading : Crosley Super Sports History

In 1949, Crosley introduced their Hot Shot model. A trim level above the Hot Shot was added the following year called the Super Sport. Besides having better trim, the Super Sport also had a folding top. The 1951 and 1952 Super Sports were distinguishable from the Hot Shots by having full doors, while the Hot Shots had cut-down sides with either no doors or removable half doors.....
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Related Reading : Crosley VC History

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 %24849. 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....
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1951 Crosley Super Sport Vehicle Profiles

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1951 Super Sport
$1,030-$11,000
1951 Crosley Super Sport Base Price : $1,030

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Other 1951 Crosley Models

Super Sports

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
85.00 in.
4 cyl., 44.00 CID., 26.00hp
$1,030 - $1,030

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