For Sale: 1949 Crosley Hotshot in Torrance, California

West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and rare mostly all original example of the diminutive, classically styled two-seat 1949 Crosley Hot Shot Roadster, the rare and most desirable version of the very successful entrepreneur Powel Crosley Jr's economy car and one of the outstanding early postwar sports cars. It was capable of about 85 mph despite its little 44 CID cast iron four, which was more than adequate for the tiny 1300 lbs weight. Semi elliptic coil front and quarter elliptic rear suspension gave very nimble handling. Set up for racing it was even better; a Hot Shot won the Index of Performance at Sebring in 1951 and fared well in many road races in its day. Eventually the car would be overwhelmed in the market place in the early fifties and quit the car business in 1952. Regardless of its short life and small size, the Hotshot is remembered as an impressive sports car within its class. A Hotshot won the Sam Collier Memorial Endurance Grand Prix, averaging 52 mph, as well as the "index of performance" an award which took speed and engine size into account at the 1950 Six Hours of Sebring; and a Siata 300 fitted with Crosley power won the SCCA's 12 hour Vero Beach race. Throughout the 1950s, Crosley engines dominated 750 cc sports car racing, winning 10 out of 12 SCCA west-coast races aloneThis is a vastly underrated 'Milestone Car" with outstanding performance and handling. With only 752 built in 1949, 742 in 1950, 646 in 1951 amp; only 358 in its last year of production in 1952 the few remaining can be ensured of collector status for years to come. This extraordinarily charming and obviously exceptionally well preserved and stock Crosley Hot Shot Roadster presents beautifully inside and out. It is apparent that some high-quality restoration work was performed in the past, while many original factory finishes remain intact. In summary this example would not be out of place in the most discerning of collections, it would be hard to find a finer example available anywhere else.