Frank Lloyd Wright owned a number of cars in his lifetime and most of them seem kind of flashy and unique to me.
Imagine my surprise when we walked into the Hagen History Center in Erie, Pa to find a car that was once owned by the renowned architect. Not only that, the car is a Crosley!
Crosley was a Cincinnati business first known for radios and then household appliances, cars and other items. I have a couple of their radios in my vintage radio collection and squeal like a little girl every time I see one of their products out in the world.
So, meet Frank’s (yes, I call him Frank) 1950 Crosley Hotshot roadster
Isn’t it fabulous?
Here’s a look at that Crosley logo.
And another look.
Headlights!!!
And just one more….
I somehow missed any signage describing this car but I think it speaks for itself. Want to see it for yourself? Visit the Hagen Center in Erie, PA. Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s story about Frank’s office which you can tour here as well.
Cool Crosley!
BTW…have you been to the Packard Museum in Dayton?
You know, that museum has been on my list for years and I just haven’t made it over. Have you been? I hear it’s nice!
Wow! I’m not that familiar with this make, but anything called the “Hotshot Roadster” has my approval!
No doors, no seatbelts, looks like you could just roll our the side on a shart corner.
Agreed! Hotshot is a fabulous name for this car!
I was going to take a picture of a Frank Lloyd Wright designed building in Toronto, then re-post your article (with the local connection). But there are no FLW designed buildings here.
.
Too bad.
Well, boo. That’s a shame. I don’t think he did a lot in Canada though so it’s not really a surprise.
That does not look like a very safe ride!
Haha. Probably not but it’s pretty sharp!
The car is a sweet one!
Isn’t it? That color is perfect for this flashy little car.
I knew that Wright had a customized Lincoln Continental in the 40s, but never had any idea that someone as imperious as FLW would ever stoop to a Crosley!
The Hotshot is a fascinating little car. Trivia – it was the first US car equipped with disc brakes. Although the Crosley design was not perfected and many were converted over to standard drum brakes within the first few years.
Did you know that he had a custom car color that he used on many of his vehicles? It’s called Cherokee Red and he used it in other designs too. It’s sort of a rich, earthy red. Very nice.
A Crosley was a surprise. My understanding is that he actually had a small fleet of these cars for he and his people to use as field cars for a while. Powell Crosley was an enthusiastic and perhaps aggressive salesman. If the two ever met, I bet Powell could have sold him the moon.
It’s so cute
Doesn’t it look fun!