Dragon Car Show

[Logan]

Here are some pictures my dad took of the Dragon at the Quilt Walk and car show in Panguitch, Utah  (click the link to read about the Quilt Walk) http://www.quiltwalk.org/index.html.  He has been storing the car in his hangar there while we were overseas.



Dad removed the rust and shined up the chrome--first time that's been done!





The engine is not detailed, but my dad did rebuild the starter for me.





The Dragon in action.

[mtbearded1]

What a beautiful car!

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Nice looking car, but there's too much not correct on the outside.

[Tom N]

Help me improve my eye and knowledge.  I think I see 54 taillights...what else am I missing (if anything)
Tom

[Roadmaster49]

Maybe it's not a Dragon but an early 54 with a Dragon badge.

[pnw_oldmags]

53 Dragons I have seen have vinyl tops.
I would love to see the interior, and inside the trunk
And tags

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

More Info is needed.
We would need the K530- 00000 . Interior shots to see If Dragon. All 53 Dragons had Sport Top on it. Some have been waiting for the Bambu Vinyl to come back. So now We have it ?  Only Early 51 Dragons did not have a Top on it.
If a true Dragon , Could be like many 53 Kaiser's they added the 54-55 fin's to it...

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The front end appears to be a 1953 and the car has 1954 tail lights plus dragon script without the vinyl top (all 1953 Dragons had the vinyl top).  There are no interior shots so we cannot see the seats.  There is also no indication of the additional brightwork at the point where the top stamping meets the deck (check actual dragon photos to see this).

I have seen a number of 1953's with the 1954 "treatment" over the years; 1954 Early Specials have the 1954 front sheet metal (like the Manhattan of that year).

I hope this is not another case of "the person who sold the car to me said it was all original".

[Logan]

Dont' worry, guys.  This is a true Dragon.  The previous owner took the vinyl top off, painted the car a bad color, and added '54 taillights for some unkown reason.  The black bambu upholstery is still intact and looks good.  The laguna cloth inserts have been replaced with white vinyl.  Nubmers are as follows: serial, K530-001521; body, 5301-1587; paint, 097; trim, 5308; dr, 1; tr, 7; ag, 00; sch, 62; item, 457.  Hope that answers questions.  As to the work, I want to gradually correct things as I get time, money, etc.  It needs an engine rebuild and front end work.  There is some rust in the quarter panels covered up, and the front floor boards (probably), so those will be the biggest challenge for bodywork, paint.  Bumpers need re-chromed.  SMS has top vinyl and Laguna cloth.  I've seen their bambu vinyl and it's good quality, but not the Laguna cloth.  Has anyone ordered the Laguna cloth who can vouch for its quality?

Well, work to do, but for now it's just enjoyable to get it out to shows when possible.  Incidentally, my dad said one person at the show recognized that the taillights were incorrect.  He should win a prize!

[joefrazer]

While not correct, I think the car looks great as is! The chrome drip rail, a standard Dragon item, really helps show off the roofline of the car. I'd drive it the way it sits and let folks enjoy the car!

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

As long as someone with a K-F or Willys product knows that there are items not factory correct on the car and are happy with what they have, it's OK by me.  It does look good as it sits.

My concern is protecting both buyers and sellers when it comes to properly representing such things to a potential buyer at some point in the future

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

As long as someone with a K-F or Willys product knows that there are items not factory correct on the car and are happy with what they have, it's OK by me.  It does look good as it sits.

My concern is protecting both buyers and sellers when it comes to properly representing such things to a potential buyer at some point in the future

If someone wants a K.F. Product I always say Join the Club. We will have the information to help You know what Your getting. What would need to be done if You want a show car some Day, Or a Driver You want to customize.
Never hurts to get 2 opinion as well.

 Then have Fun.

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

Dont' worry, guys.  This is a true Dragon.  The previous owner took the vinyl top off, painted the car a bad color, and added '54 taillights for some unkown reason.  The black bambu upholstery is still intact and looks good.  The laguna cloth inserts have been replaced with white vinyl.  Nubmers are as follows: serial, K530-001521; body, 5301-1587; paint, 097; trim, 5308; dr, 1; tr, 7; ag, 00; sch, 62; item, 457.  Hope that answers questions.  As to the work, I want to gradually correct things as I get time, money, etc.  It needs an engine rebuild and front end work.  There is some rust in the quarter panels covered up, and the front floor boards (probably), so those will be the biggest challenge for bodywork, paint.  Bumpers need re-chromed.  SMS has top vinyl and Laguna cloth.  I've seen their bambu vinyl and it's good quality, but not the Laguna cloth.  Has anyone ordered the Laguna cloth who can vouch for its quality?

Well, work to do, but for now it's just enjoyable to get it out to shows when possible.  Incidentally, my dad said one person at the show recognized that the taillights were incorrect.  He should win a prize!

Yes, You can look this Dragon Up on the Club Registry List here...   http://circlekf.com/kfcars/k5301.htm   Other K.F. Product here  http://www.eskimo.com/~hhagen/reg/reg.htm

K530-001521   5301-1587    097 5308   1 7 00   62  457   Jorgensen   TX

Have Fun with Your Dragon...

[Logan]

That's right, I sent my numbers to the club when I got the car.  Can't remember who I sent them to, but apparently they got recorded.  This car was originally owned by Sterling Weber from Utah.  He sold it to someone in Delaware in the 80s, and I bought it from that person a few years ago.  It really is in pretty good shape.  Just a few changes that have made it incorrect.  It's really nice that we have resources like SMS now where we can make the interior look original again.

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

That's right, I sent my numbers to the club when I got the car.  Can't remember who I sent them to, but apparently they got recorded.  This car was originally owned by Sterling Weber from Utah.  He sold it to someone in Delaware in the 80s, and I bought it from that person a few years ago.  It really is in pretty good shape.  Just a few changes that have made it incorrect.  It's really nice that we have resources like SMS now where we can make the interior look original again.

Harold Hagen does the registry.  You can see like many of Us has other Vintage stuff.      http://www.eskimo.com/~hhagen/   

Richard Hansen of Calif. found the Vinyl Rollers. SMS had the Vinyls made. Then the trick was to have Bambu died right. Hansen helped with that to. Look again You have 4-5 shades of Color in the Bambu.

Plus: He has been helping SMS with the Laguna Cloth even though He to has an All Vinyl Dragon that has the White Boucle Inserts like Mine.