1951 Kaiser Dragon

[Mr Manhattan]

https://merced.craigslist.org/cto/d/kaiser-dragon/6653596049.html



 Not responsible for CL ad right or wrongs

[joefrazer]

Looks more like an early 51 Deluxe to me. The flat stainless around the side glass tells me that it’s an early car - the Dragon didn’t appear until later in the model year. The fender script was borrowed from a 53.

[thej63]

I shot the seller an email asking for the serial number and body number info as well as where to find them.

That should definitively answer whether it's the real deal or a wannabe 

[Fid]

FYI, the car was on ebay about 10 years ago and that ad included all of the tag information.  At the risk of being called a "Nit Picker" I will point out that when it was listed on ebay, it was identified by users of this forum as a car someone had installed 'Dragon' scripts, a '53 hood emblem and '53 hood ornament on. It is hard to tell from the picture but as I recall it, the 'Dragon' script on the fender was not a KF issue 'Dragon' script.  From what I remember, several forum members tried to inform the seller as to what the car was and he got quite nasty with them claiming it was authentic. I doubt the current seller is the same person as it was back then but I do remember the car.

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

Fid,
 You hit it on the Nail . I don't know How Folks can try this Today ? 

[Roadmaster49]

Fid
What a memory!  I need whatever you are taking for that memory. 

[thej63]

So the owner of the car sent me an email back with photos of the firewall plate and the body tag and I have some fun news. As it turns out....this is in fact a 51 first series dragon and is not logged on the registry.

Color was garden green metallic with Burma brown dragon vinyl interior. Accessory group 9 just like all the other dragons but there's one oddity that's throwing me off....the transmission code. I was of the understanding that the code could be 1/2, 4/6, or 0/7. This plate has what looks to be a 3 instead. I've attached the photo.

[Fid]

Very interesting information thej63.  I don't recall this from the first time we saw it.  The first series Dragons did not have a vinyl top and are quite scarce as I understand it.  In any case, it was modified with said changes I mentioned in my earlier post so that might throw some people off. Good to know what it really is. I hope it gets a good home.

[thej63]

Very interesting information thej63.  I don't recall this from the first time we saw it.  The first series Dragons did not have a vinyl top and are quite scarce as I understand it.  In any case, it was modified with said changes I mentioned in my earlier post so that might throw some people off. Good to know what it really is. I hope it gets a good home.

Yup, the badge on the hood, hood ornament and side script are wrong. Also from the serial number photo that he sent me, I can see green dragon vinyl on the inside instead of the original brown so it's now a green on green. It's the trans code that's really throwing me off though. I was trying to convince myself that I'm just seeing a 3 because it's dirty but I can't imagine how I could mistake any of the other known options for that. I'll see if I can get confirmation from him.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

If you are a member, check your KFOCI HANDBOOK cd and look up the 1951 Kaiser Dragon information in the year/make/series section.  The key to finding out if it is an actual dragon is the upholstery trim code and the accessory group code, along with paint code.  When released the Dragons had a special trim package identified with an Accessory Group number.

Since you have the body tag information, why not share it with everyone?

[thej63]

This is the only other photo I have at the moment of the serial number. The tag below the firewall plate that I posted up above is too dirty in the photo he sent to make out.

Paint code is 265, trim is 2821 and accessory group 9. I have the handbook but haven't pulled that up yet

[joefrazer]

The body number is either 41024 or 41924. Looking at Harold's registry, it's in the mix of a run of Dragon trimmed Deluxe's so it's gotta be the real deal.

2821 is Burma Brown as previously stated.

265 is Garden Green metallic, which coincidentally is the same paint color used to paint the 51-53 and 54 Early Special Kaiser, 1951 Frazer as well all Henry J and Darrin engines.

According to the Last Onslaught, all had accessory group 9.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

According to Confidential Bulletin #50 dated November 17, 1950 (ALL DEALERS series, should be #52 in ALL DIRECT DEALERS series) in addition to Accessory Group 9, the following items were manditory options:

-  Dragon Vinyl upholstery at $95.00 dealer & $125.00 retail plus 6.39 Federal Tax either price
-  Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission at $123.00 dealer & $160.00 retail plus $8.61 Federal Tax either price
-  6.70 x 15 Whitewall Tires, set of 5 at $14.50 dealer & 20.00 retail plus 84 cents Federal Tax either price

Plus the price of the basic K512 deluxe 4-door sedan itself.   This original version of the 1951 Dragon did NOT have vinyl top. 

On February 6, 1951, Confidential Bulletin #57 (ALL DEALERS series, should be #59 in ALL DIRECT DEALERS series) announced the addition of the Dinasour Vinyl Sport Topping at $66.25 dealer, $87.00 retail with $4.45 Federal Tax to be added to either price and removable center arm rests-front & rear for $22.40 dealer, $30.00 retail plus 1.40 Federal Tax either price.  Hydra-Matic and the whitewall tires in 6.70 x 15 were still offered at previous prices.

All prices listed above were increased March 2, 1951 when OPS approval was given to K-F for increasing sell prices based on increased material and production costs.