“The moment you slide in behind the wheel, you sense that this car is cleverly designed, soundly constructed, and that driving it is going to be fun.”

So wrote G. Thatcher Darwin in a 1951 road test article in Motor Trend of the Crosley Super Sport — a little known and short-lived part of our American automotive heritage.

Tom Mather concurs with Thatcher’s assessment. It is fun to drive.

The 74-year-old retiree and Linthicum resident is steeped in the lore of the Crosley name, a story that includes Cincinnati Reds owner Powel Crosley Jr., whose hope it was to make a lasting mark in the automobile industry, but by 1952, after slumping sales, had sold off his factory to a rubber tire manufacturer.

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When Mather found an old Crosley Super Sport about four years ago, he didn't see a run-down, lifeless rust bucket.

Instead, he saw a piece of history, the first post-War-production sports car, and a chance at a new beginning.

Mather and his grandson brought the car to Maryland from Pennsylvania, where Mather undertook a four-year restoration project that included stripping the car to the bare chassis only to build it all over again. With a paltry 646 models produced in 1951, possessing one of these rare cars comes with a high emotional price tag.

Mather believes there is only one other owner in Maryland.

Salvaging it from near death, he has turned down a few sales offers and plans to keep the car for as long as time allows.

Q What do you drive?

A A 1951 Crosley Super Sport.

Q And why do you drive it?

A Because I love it. It's a very interesting car. It's unique, and you get a lot of attention from it. I took it to my first showing last year. And I got best in show.

Q What makes your car special?

A I am only one of 100 owners of a Crosley Super Sport in the world.

Q What was your first set of wheels?

A A 1936 Pontiac four-door. I've had quite a few cars since then.

Q What was your most memorable driving experience — that you want printed?

A The parade I was in, the homecoming parade in Ferndale for North County High. I took the show away from all the other cars.

Q What's in your CD player?

A I'm listening to mostly songs from the ’40s and ’50s.

Q And your first ticket? What was it for?

A Out in Catonsville for crossing the center line, and I had an accident.

Check Out My Stats:

» Engine: 4-cylinder main-bearing engine w/ overhead cam (725 cc)

» Horsepower: 26.5 @ 5,400 rpm

Transmission: Three-speed floor shifter

» Weight: 1,100 lbs.

» Length: 145 inches

» Tire Size: 12 inches

» Interior: Red interior vinyl, original factory radio, and convertible boot

» Exterior: Tan paint, rebuilt copper fuel tank, original spare tire

Want us to check out your ride?

Do you know someone who drives a unique vehicle?

Call or e-mail us, and we’ll check it out: 443-573-5162, demanuel@baltimoreexaminer.com