The following interview was conducted on October 4, 2025 with fifteen-year-old Hunter Mischler of Vincennes, Indiana, the day before his first run at the Newport Antique Auto Hill Climb in Newport, Indiana.

Hunter, tell me about the Crosley that you will be racing in the Newport Hill Climb tomorrow.

My Crosley is a 1951 Super Sports. We bought it in 2022. It was a California car with no rust, very clean. We bought it from Gerald Davenport from Paducah, KY, who told us about the car's history.

When you first got the car, what condition was it in?

The body was in good condition. No rust — probably because it came from California originally. The brakes were locked up. The seats were gone. The body had a very old lacquer paint job, and it had been in a barn for 15–20 years. We thought that during its lifetime it was used as a road course race car, because there were spacers on the front wheels and stabilizers in the rear.

When we bought the car, I wanted to get working on it right away, but I had to wait for my dad to finish his project on our lift. Once his car was off the lift, we pushed mine on it, and I immediately removed the tires, so we couldn't move it and had to work on it! In reality, I only had to wait about a month to get on the lift… but it seemed like a real long time.

Did you get help working on it?

My dad helped. He was like the “instructional manual.” Once we disassembled the car, it sat about two years. We went to Wauseon and bought a new frame that my dad sandblasted for us. My friend Carson and I painted the newer frame before doing anything else.

Then Carson sandblasted every part — brakes, drums, axles, and drive shaft — while the car was disassembled. Once he was done, we painted the parts and I reassembled most of the underbody as a rolling chassis. Then we could just set the body on top. Once the body was in place, my dad wet sanded it and repainted it.

How do you feel about your first Newport Hill Climb run happening tomorrow?

Well, I'm a little nervous, a bit out of my comfort zone… thinking I might break something. I'm afraid I may only have third gear going up that pretty big hill. In the past, I have ridden up the hill with my dad several times. During my run, I plan to take off slowly, ease into it, and then hammer it — put it to the floor!

I understand you just got your driving permit.

Yeah — plus, I told my friends at school I would be making this hill run. I keep thinking, I'm just driving up a hill. As long as I get into second gear, I'll be fine.

What was your reaction to this Crosley restoration project?

When we started putting it together, it was sort of like a happy feeling. It was great seeing it come together.

What advice would you give to other young folks starting a Crosley project?

It's a lot more fun than it looks. It may seem boring at first, but over time I realized it's not that boring. Once the car is put together and you drive it — that feeling that you built it is exhilarating.

It's like when your parents say, “Try new things. Try new foods.” You may end up liking them. When you try something new, you may end up finding something you really like. I found the process was really cool and fascinating.

— Hunter Mischler

Video

Hunter and Grandpa PW

Family History

Mischler Family History with Crosleys

Tell me about your family's history with Crosleys.

My grandfather's (PW Mischler) family had a Crosley dealership in Vincennes, Indiana. My grandfather also drove a Crosley. He said he drove his yellow Hot Shot from Vincennes all the way to Clovis, New Mexico, where his family had moved when he was only 13. My dad continued with our family's Crosley interests. As far as I can remember, we have always had Crosleys. I know right now my dad has four Hot Shots, a CC wagon, a Sport Utility, a Sedan, and a Farm-O-Road.

The Mischler Crosley dealership was owned by Lona Tabler and was located at 917 N. 7th Street, Vincennes, Indiana. Mischler Motors was in business from 1926 until it burned down in 1967. They started selling Crosleys around 1949, and the family continued its loyalty to the Crosley marque for many years.

Lona's grandson, PW Mischler, was provided his first car from the dealership — a 1949 Crosley Hot Shot. PW is known for driving it several times from Vincennes, Indiana to Texas. He also recalls that his uncles drove the Crosley Sport Utility vehicles.

For many years now, during the first weekend in October, the Mischler family has attended and competed in Indiana's famed Newport Antique Auto Hill Climb with their Crosleys. This popular annual event has attracted Crosley owners to compete in the hill climb in their own class for decades. The family drives their fleet in competitive runs in up to five classes, including Crosleys, Model T speedsters, Model As, Plymouths, and pickup roadsters.