The First All-American Sports Car

Although there were a number of pre-WWII cars that can be described as sports cars, the craze in the U.S. began following the war with the invasion of MGs and then Jaguars. Some aficionados credit Chevrolet’s Corvette as the first American sports car. Others feel that the original Thunderbird fits the category. But, in fact, the Crosley preceded both. The Crosley is truly an American car with all of the components made in the U.S.

Crosley sports cars, an inspiration of industrialist Powell Crosley, Jr., were made between 1946 and 1952. By the time production came to a halt, a total of 2,498 had been built. There were two models. The first was the Hot Shot and then the second, the Super Sports, was introduced in 1950. The Hot Shot was truly a bare-bones car. It didn’t even have doors. But to qualify, the SCCA started requiring two functioning doors; so, along came the Super Sports.