If you’ve attended a vintage hill climb event just once in your life, then you’ll know that, by and large, the registered starting field is dominated by machines from across the pond. Allard, Lotus, Porsche, Alfa, MG and Triumph are the meat and potatoes, as well as the dessert. But every now and then somebody shows up with something way out of the ordinary.
Check out the above image carefully. While wandering around the makeshift paddock at the Ascent – part of the Elegance at Hershey festivities that occurred back on June 11-12 – I stumbled across this 1949 Crosley Hot Shot driven by Jack Gallagher (according to the entry list) and sporting a modified nose. Before the timers started recording, all 30-plus competitors were permitted several low-speed practice runs; as was told to me by a corner worker (and former Hershey Hill Climb racer), many of the drivers at this year’s event had never raced on the .7-mile circuit. Admittedly, I wasn’t prepared when it ascended the hill.
The Crosley, presumably with Jack behind the wheel, made two practice runs and promptly parked the car for the duration of the race. No word as to why he did not try to record a run, however it was a welcomed and surprising entry for the gathered spectators.