what makes a rare configuration for a Frazer

[jamestyler520]

My 48 Frazer has the following options
- Darrin Style Script on trunk lid
- Air Condition box
- Sun Visor
- Spot light  ( unit can be operated from the inside of the car
   to rotate the light up or down, left or right)
- 10,000 miles
- Have original sales reciept and registration (May 20, 1948 )

No back up light but then that would be an after market installation
Radio doesn't work now but I hope to get that addressed

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

With regards to your car:

1.  Less than 52,000 Frazers (Manhattan and standard combined) were produced as 1948's.
2.  Heater/defroster (labeled as Air Conditioner because it produced "conditioned air") was either factory or dealer installed on almost all Manhattans and standard models.
3.  Roughly 50% of 1948 Frazers produced came off the line before the addition of the Darrin Styled badges ended.  This is an estimate based on month-by-month production of cars compared to date on the K-F Service Bulletin announcing the end of the feature.
4.  If low miles can be documented, this is most unusual and rare indeed  Also, having the original sales invoice from the dealer is rarely seen with cars today.
5.  Spot lights and other factory accessories (spot light needs the K-F emblem on the top, not the Unity tag or some other branding) can be rarely seen items.  It should be also noted that according to Parts & Accessories Bulletins, there are 3 different "legal" types of back-up lights that might be found on a 1948 Kaiser or Frazer (round lens, bezel that looks like the front parking light, mounts on side of bumper guard).

What would make the car truly rare:

A.  Leather Upholstery on a Manhattan
B.  The Dual-Manifold version of the 226

[joefrazer]

In 1948, there were two models of Frazer available, the standard sedan and the Manhattan, the latter not to be confused with the 1949-51 hardtop or convertible. The Manhattan had fancier interior trims, as well as two-toned paint work. The Manhattans are the rarer of the two...with all Frazers being rare as they are.

Backup lights and spotlights were an option for the entire KF line in 1948 and would have been a factory authorized but dealer installed items.

What's rare with your car is the original invoice and sales receipt. Most have been long lost.

[Fid]

Factory radios are unusual in the early cars too. I believe the KFOC Handbook states that the radio was standard on Frazer Manhattans, which as Jim  points out, are the rare model of the 1948 Frazer. The '48 I had was a standard and it had the "Air Conditioner" but no other accessories. It had a cool aftermarket Firestone under dash radio. The heater in my standard was tan colored as I've seen in the 1947/48 Kaisers. I believe some of the "air conditioners" in the Manhattans were color coordinated to go with the upholstery (blue, green etc.). 

[jamestyler520]

Thanks to all replies. I am enjoying learning about the car. It may or may not be rare but it feels special.

By the way, the air condition is blue.

Would back up lights be like the 3rd brake light that we see in modern cars?

JT

[pnw_oldmags]

Back up lights are a white / clear light that comes on when the car is put into reverse.  Like present day cars.

http://circlekf.com/kflit/PA/KFPA057/KFPA057.jpg
OR

http://circlekf.com/kflit/PA/KFPA104/KFPA104002.jpg

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The radios were not standard on Manhattans.  Dealers could order them as factory installed.  Otherwise, the radios were installed by dealers or distributors. 

[MilesP]

Re spot light if you don't have a KF logo on it Unity still sells them or didi a few years ago

[Fid]

I checked my handbooks again and I don't see anything stating that radios were standard on Frazer Manhattans. I thought I had read that somewhere but it looks like I was mistaken. A radio is uncommon in the early (1947/48) cars as stated. That's a nice option to have.

[jamestyler520]

I checked the spotlight and it does carry the KF logo on a strip of metal across the top of the unit. It was made in US by Unity.

[Fid]

There was a fellow here in St. Paul who passed away last year. He was in his 90s and for years he had an amazing turquois 1948 Frazer Manhattan with robin's egg blue leather upholstery. It was an awesome car. He sold it about 10 years ago. Last I heard it was in Iowa - it is a beauty. I don't recall seeing another with leather in the hands of any club members. I'm sure there are some. I remember finding one in a salvage yard in Blue Rapids, Kansas in the early 70s. It too was a turquois blue '48 Manhattan with blue leather upholstery. Unfortunately, it was pretty far gone by that time. Looking back, it was probably worth saving but at that time money was an issue as was storage space.