What makes a Carolina a Carolina?

[pnw_oldmags]

I think this radio blank says "Carolina"!

[Fid]

I checked the '53 parts book supplement and it does not list a seperate radio delete cover for the Carolina. Of course the Deluxe may have used a painted one and if so it would be listed in the full version of the parts supplement. Also, they may have painted the chrome ones to match the dash in the Carolinas. You never know...  it could be.

[pnw_oldmags]

Thanks for the feed back Fid... I picked up some more parts for the Carolina today.  I need to find an original 53K Deluxe to study.  My Manhattan experience says inside hood release.  This is the hood release for the Carolina.  Is this unique to the Carolina or are the Deluxes like this also?

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

C'mon people!

As noted in the KFOCI HANDBOOK the Carolina is a de-trimmed Kaiser Deluxe; when it was reported to the Automobile Manufacturers Association it was originally named the Kaiser Special (yes, it's on the cover page of the questionaire). 

Since nobody wants to make use of the material, I won't bother with the revisions.

[pnw_oldmags]

Maybe you would be kind enough to share the questionaire you speak of ... that would be great!

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Anyone wanting a copy of the Automobile Manufacturers Association document that K-F filled out and sent to the Association covering specifications (and in some cases brand of item used) for all 1953 Kaisers (from Dragon to "Special") is currently available on eBay or through Walter Miller in Syracause NY.  I have a number of the AMA documents at present and the 1953 item showed up only recently;  my order is going in next week. 

You can read through parts of it on eBay to get a better feel for this document if you've never seen one before.  No, it won't tell you who made the upholstery, what pleat widths were used, etc. 

[rialto]

My 53 DeLuxe has an inside hood latch. I think this was standard for all 53s except Carolina.

[pnw_oldmags]

Rialto... In the list of 20 below -  how many items are like that on your deluxe.
I would like to limit by dropping those things that were standard on the deluxe model as well.
THANKS

[rialto]

Comparing Carolina to Deluxe. 
 This would look better if I could put it next to the original list of twenty.             
           This list is for 53 DeLuxe
                                                 
          1.  Data plate Deluxe 531-1   531-4
          2.  Serial plate          K531
          3.  Bumper guards    same
          4.  Kaiser Deluxe      on front fenders
          5.  Headlight rims     winged diecast rims like Manhattan
          6.  Steering wheel    chrome horn ring like Manhattan
          7.  Two sun visors    made of cardboard with dinasaur grain
          8.  Same                 single dome light
          9.  Same                 no K on glovebox
         10. Same                 hard rubber steering wheel
         11. Same                 Henry J handles inside
         12. Same                 small or large wheel covers
         13.                                                                     
         14. Narrow stainless on sides
         15.
         16. inside hood latch like Manhattan
         17. two trunk lights like Manhatten
         18. Same                 no rear ashtray lighter
         19. Same                 rear vent windows don't open
         20. Door ventilator   dividng bars stainless like Manhattan
         21. Carolinas only have 1 interior   Sportman's Beige fabric with Burma Brown vinyl trim       early  trim #5220 or 5022
                                                                                                                                                late          #5023 or 5223
l   

[rialto]

I left #13 and #15 blank because I dont know. My car has automatic so I dont know about the shift cover.  I'll have to take a close look at the mirror.

[pnw_oldmags]

Thank you very much ...  This is exactly what I was looking for.  This will change my list a lot. I never realized how much different the deluxe was from the manhattan.

[pnw_oldmags]

With Rialto's help I now understand that some changes happened coming down from a Manhattan Model to a Deluxe Model
When coming down from a Deluxe Model to the Carolina Model these are the Only changes that make a Carolina different from a Deluxe.

                                              Deluxe                          Carolina
Data Plate                             531-1 or 531-4             538-1 or 538-4
Serial Plate                            K531                             K538
Front Fender Script                Kaiser Deluxe               None
Headlight Rings                      Winged Diecast Rims   Stainless Rings
Steering Wheel Horn Ring      Chrome Horn Ring      Chrome Center Only
Inside Visors                          Two                               Drivers Side Only
Rub Rail Molding                     Narrow Stainless           None
Hood Latch Release               Remote                          Manual
Trunk Light                             Two Lights                       None
Door Ventilator Divison Bars  Stainless                         Painted Black

[rialto]

#22 to the list   53 Carolinas use the smaller diameter 51-52 muffler and tailpipe. They do use the new for 53 exhaust manifold and front pipe. Nobody would notice if you had the wrong one though.
             

[Fid]

Let's take this in another direction now.  What on this Carolina, is not original to a Carolina?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-2-Door-Kaiser-Carolina-1953-2-Door-Kaiser-Carolina-/180867887792?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a1c90f2b0#v4-42

These items were not standard on a Carolina: Headlight trim, inside door handles/window cranks, horn ring...  rub moulding (although there was an accessory kit that could be purchased to add it), clock (again, available as a dealer installed option but no original to a Carolina), '49/'50 Kaiser hubcaps...

Anyone see anything else?

[pnw_oldmags]

Dont belong Bumper Bananas
Ribbed radiator hose incorrect
Hose clamp incorrect
Headliner wrong
Passenger side visor not correct
Driver Side Visor should be cardboard
Carpets should be rubber mats
Door Ventilator Bars appear to be stainless ... should be black painted
Interior Burma Vinyl replacement seems way to smooth
and the insert cloth is not even close to a Contemporary Cloth


My thoughts ...