1952 Corsair Deluxe without corner turn signals?

[mustangkarl]

I just recently bought a 1952 Henry J. It's the 6 cylinder with the 1951 style grill no turnsignals. Just taillights the little round ones. It has glove box and trunk lid. But according to the title and serial number on the door tag it is a corsair.  Body number k52412002019 how can this be. It was my understanding that all Corsairs no matter the year or engine hhad the full grill and corner turn signal lamps.

[Terry T]

looks like a '51 to me

[mustangkarl]

The K52 digits on title and body tag would mean its a 1952.

[Fid]

It's not possible to assume a car that is 70 years old is still completely original.  The body number k52412002019 (the number "1" directly proceeding the K524) indicate it's a '52 Vagabond which would have all of the features of a '51 model.  At the end of the '51 model year KF had approximately 7,000 '51 models that had not been sold so they retagged and titled them as a '52 Vagabond model. Post pictures of all the tags (Body tag and data tag on cowl and serial tag between the driver's door hinges) and it can be decoded.

[mustangkarl]

I did quite a bit of research before I asked this question on thus forum. Including checking dozens of posts here. I have no doubt it is a 52. But like I said according to the vin tag and from what I have seen online and from the 1971 Chilton manual I own the Corsair serial number starts with 1200000 so that would make mine number 2019 of the corsairs first run. And not the left over 1951s turned into Vagabonds. My best guess is at somepoint someone replaced the rear fenders and grill and hood. The body tag that I found in the glove box fits everything about the car. Original color matched chipped paint in engine bay. Accessory group 9 fits the bumper guards and cigarette lighter package tray . Horn ring. Etc.

[mustangkarl]

Here is an example of a 1952 vagabond serial plate. It is different from mine and does not start with the 1200000

[joefrazer]

Here's a breakdown of the trim tag
Model 524 - 1952 Henry J Corsair DeLuxe
Body 4 - Two door sedan
Paint 325 - Cape Verde Green Metallic
Trim 4481 - McDonnell Plaid
IP 16 - Interior Paint
TR 2 - Three speed transmission
AG 9 - Accessory group
SCHED 14 - Scheduled for assembly on the 14th day of Henry J production
ITEM NO 140 - 140th vehicle assembled in the above schedule

My guess - the car was built as a 52 and at some point someone swapped in 51 parts...the front sheet metal and rear quarters. Easy enough to do, it's all bolt on.

[Fid]

Makes sense.  My source did not indicate the number "2" in the serial number so that explains why it has a glove box as a '52 Vagabond would not so yes, it's a '52 Corsair Deluxe.  This means someone over the past 70 years replaced the fenders and grill - not uncommon since they are all bolt-ons and can be exchanged easily so that's what happened with this one.  Also most, '52 Vagabonds retained their '51 body tags.  The one I had had a K523 Serial number but a K513 body number which is the way most of them were.  People tend to like the earlier grill so many of them were changed.  Also the later grills were thin and chincy and rusted out which was another reason many of them were replaced with the earlier style which were heavy thick steel. 

[mustangkarl]

Thanks guys for all the info. Very helpful.  I'm in the middle of a restoration of 1971 karmann ghia where the ability to remove a rear fender is not possible.  So I forgot how easy it would be to swap all those piece out. It's a shame this was done to this car because I love the look of the Corsair and turn signals come in handy. Still unsure of the direction I will go with this build.  Maybe it will end up a proper corsair again after all is said and done. Once again thanks for the info.

[Fid]

Best of luck and thanks for posting that info on the Vagabond serial numbers.  I learned something from that and it ended a lot of my confusion too.  I'm surprised my sources did not mention the "12.."  thing, only the "1" thing which I was pretty sure I had seen some some '52 Corsairs.  Good info!

[mustangkarl]

Sometimes it's beneficial having Chilton manuals laying around from your childhood. (And then some)

[Fid]

Having looked over the pic of the rear you posted, I noticed it has a '52/'53 front bumper on the rear - further evidence it was put together using parts from different years/models. Not uncommon. My suggestion at this time is to enjoy it and be glad it survived.  It looks good and I'm guessing is a fun car to show and tell.  If you attend rallies/shows you'll very likely have the  only one there.

[Terry T]

you said it doesn't have turn signals but the pic shows it does

the '51 grille is a very desired look..I would keep it