Need help to Identify a 51 Dragon!

[edc1953]

Hi All,

I found this ad on Craigs list:
1950 kaiser dragon - $10000 (merced)

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Reply to: sale-7vqh2-1155860018@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-05-05, 11:17AM PDT

i have a mint condition 50 kaiser 55000 original miles belonged to my dad he passed away has been in storage in doors green on green looking for a nice collector car come see questions mail me i will return a phone number


I know this is not a 50 and not a Dragon?
Could someone help me identify this car?

So, here is the whole #
K512-054443 on the plate in the door jam.

5121-41924 on the fire wall in the engine compartment.

He said it is all original. If you would like to see picture send me your email edc1953@msn.com.

In the KFOC registry it shows the following:
K512-053731   5121-41625   375 2825   1 6 9    168 2130  Gerkhart    PA  Dragon
K512-053756   5121-41331                                           Lamoreux    IL  Dragon?
K512-053762   5121-41460   401 2826   1 6 9    168 1238  Wamsley     IN  Dragon
K512-053815   5121-41457   375 2825                               Hall        MN  Dragon
K512-053887   5121-41507   375 2825   1 6 9                   Brundige    OR  Dragon
K512-054107   5121-41756   195 2823   1 6 9    168 1081      Rall        NE  Dragon
K512-054288   5121-           999 2826   1 6 9    172 9     Zimmerman   MN  Dragon
K512-054314   5121-41856   325 2822                                Asher           Dragon
K512-054663   5121-41900   195 2823                              Hausgen         Dragon
K512-054666   5121-42300   375 2825   1 6 9    168 1301   Markitan    SD  Dragon

So this looks like one that has never been registered and could be a dragon.
Any help in what this car is would be much appreciated.

Did Kaiser turn 51 deluxe into Dragons?

Could someone verify that they made a 51 dragon without the bamboo roof?


Thanks,
 EDC

[Fid]

In 1951, the Dragon was a trim package as opposed to a model designation as it was in 1953. Unlike the 1953 Dragons, the 1951 Dragons did not say 'Dragon' on the fender flank and did not have gold plated trim pieces.
There were actually 3 different series of 1951 Dragons:
The first series refered to those with "Dragon Vinyl" upholstery, be it green, brown, red etc. and did not have a vinyl roof.
The second series, widely known as the Golden, Silver or Emerald Dragons, had upholstery of a material which was now called "Dinosaur Vinyl." The Golden Dragon was either Arena yellow or Pasedena yellow with a black vinyl top, the Silver Dragon was Mariner gray with a scarlet vinyl top and the Emerald Dragon was Cape Verde green with a green vinyl top.
The third series is the "Jade Dragon" which is very rare - only three known to exist. They are Tropical green with Tropical Green vinyl top and interior

[edc1953]

Thanks Fid,

This car does look original from the pictures.

No Gold plated trim parts.
No Vinyl top (hard top)
Has green frog pattern vinyl seats and dash is all Chrome.
Does have Dragon Script on the side (maybe put on after the fact)
Does have a 1953 Hood ornament? is that normal? (Maybe put on after, too)

It is a 1951 Deluxe 4 door sedan with dragon Trim and I appreciate the information!

Thanks again,
*EDC*

[Fid]

If it's a 1951 and it is original, it most certainly would not have Dragon script on it and definitely would not have a '53 hood ornament. Is it this one?
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/bar/1142657267.html

If so, it is definitely not original. Since Kaiser used the same body shell from 1951-55, most parts bolt right on whether they were originally for a particular model or not. Many restorers, and pseudo-restorers have put cars together with mis-matched parts over the last 50+ years.  In fact, it was done much more often in the 1960s/70s/80s because there was no internet and no good methods of finding correct parts when doing a restoration. As a result, many restorers used whatever parts they could find and that was likely the case with this car. 

[edc1953]

Thanks, I did not see this one. Is this one not original? 4,00 seems like a good price.

I think this is a good one all original, but i think high price for a series 1 51 kaiser deluxe with dragon vinyl trim.
The link is here.
http://merced.craigslist.org/cto/1155860018.html

I can not attach pictures but send me your email and I will email you some. edc1953@msn.com.

[Fid]

The one I posted is most certainly not original. The car has a '51 grill and '53 hood and hood ornament. Again, Kaiser used the same body shell from 1951-55 and most parts interchange and bolt right on.  There are a lot mis-configured examples out there and a lot of mis-informed sellers/owner's.  Caveat emptor.

[Fid]

This appears to be one of the first series '51 Dragons -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1951-Kaiser_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ39405QQihZ007QQitemZ170332074753QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Look at the interior -

[DRAGON WHISPERER]

hey Fid  is that the picture he sent? or is it one of yours?

[Fid]

That picture was from an ebay ad.  The link to the listing is in the post but the auction was pulled for some reason. I just thought it was interesting that one would show up on ebay when we were discussing them.

[edc1953]

You can see pictures of the 51 deluxe with  "Dragon Vinyl" upholstery for sale at the link below:
http://kaiserfan.auto.officelive.com/default.aspx


Looks orginal 51 deluxe with  "Dragon Vinyl" upholstery interior.
Thanks,
*EDC*

[Fid]

I posted on the other board as well. That upholstery certainly appears original and consistent with the way Kaiser did it in 1951 but the hood ornament, hood emblem and likely the hood itself are off a 1953 Kaiser. What strange cooincidence that there would be two with that modification on craigslist! The 'Dragon' emblems on the side don't even look like the ones used on a 1953 Dragon, which were gold plated and a little larger.  Someone added those features - too bad.  It looks like it would be easy to put the car back to original condition though and if that interior is in good shape it would probably be worth doing.