1951 Kaiser 2 door Special Traveler

[joefrazer]

This is one rare beast. Last Onslaught says 928 made, KF registry has 13 shown, this one makes it 14. I looked this car over and if I didn't already have 5 KFs in the driveway, I'd own it. Seller says it's a parts car because there's no title...I say it's better than that. I saw two small rust spots in the floor, otherwise this is a solid builder. The seller is a flipper...he bought it and another 2 door 51 sedan from an old fellow who "wants to take his girlfriend to Florida".

I do not know of the engine's condition but I can tell you that the interior is useful for patterns only. A Missouri car that was covered and stored for years, the seller says he has a complete glass kit for it.

Seller says best offer owns it.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/4467775680.html

[Roadmaster49]

Posting deleted.  Maybe, we should consider cutting/pasting CL links and adding photos if possible, for future reference but it appears sold and hopefully to a motivated fellow collector.  It's spring/summer and a few KF's are changing hands.

[joefrazer]

Updated link.

[Roadmaster49]

WILL IN TO SELL ALL OR PART OUT!


 I HAVE A KIAZER TRAVELER PARTS CAR! LOOKING TO SELL:
 HOOD, FENDERS, DOORS, HATCH, MOTOR, TRANS, GLASS
 HAS SMALL PARTS TOO. WILL SELL @ BEST OFFER
 YOU MUST COME AND PULL THE PARTS YOU WANT! call for details 216-570-8833

** The above content was added from the post. 

http://images.craigslist.org/00v0v_ghU1MCFSGUG_600x450.jpg

[Roadmaster49]

That rear glass, the Darrin work, maybe made the engineers cringe to have to do a Traveler in the new design.   13 in the Registry. 14 here, impressively low numbers.  What parts can possibly be extracted to make it more valuable?  The rear hatch of course should work on the 4 door 51 Travelers.  It would be a shame to part it out and it does not seem like enough eyeballs will see the ad to want parts, especially since most are pick up only, it appears.

[JoeKeys2010]

I said to myself no more projects after I got my 49 done but am thinking about it. I called the guy. Just wish he was closer to GA

[joefrazer]

I personally inspected the car and if I had the space I would own it. The car needs it all...except serious rust repair...but is worth doing due to its rarity.

[JoeKeys2010]

I'm seriously thinking about it. It's a 12 hour trip. If I went after it it would be next weekend.

[joefrazer]

If you decide to own it, let me know. I live a short drive from the car's location and you're welcome to stop by and check out my five Kaisers!

[JoeKeys2010]

Thanks for the invitation. If i do decide to go up I'll let you know. Would probably head up on a Friday and head back on Sunday. Probably go by a place called Kirtland Ohio on the way.

[Roadmaster49]

Joe
Negotiate a good price. if you have already talked to the seller, as Jim has, maybe he will appreciate the small and specific market for the car and the passion that KF exhibit. Plus your commitment to travel to get it - may help in securing a usable price.

What kind of price is he thinking anyway?  "Best offer" means a lot of things.  WE know it's rare, and he might too, but that rarity interest lies mostly with KF geeks, not the Mustang and Camaro crowd. 

$500?  I think it's a $500 car easy because of Jim's specific notation of lack of rust.  Rust as we know is a value killer.  The rest of it can be done.  Even if you hesitated in it's restoration, you would be doing the KF community a BIG favor by securing it.

I am moving June 13 back into Des Moines Iowa from a 3 car garage with room for another 3 cars around it to a 2 car garage and "maybe" room for one car behind the fence.   I lost about $12,000 last year on these non runners that I would buy with high hopes, so go into it with a clear conscience.  But it is a good one.

[JoeKeys2010]

I figured it was worth between 500 to 700 at the crusher. I offered on that range and he seemed agreeable. I like it because it's a 2 door Traveler otherwise I would not be interested. I've gone through a 49 so I understand things like tires, chrome, seat covers, rubber and so forth. I'm not looking to make money on the car. I like working on them and driving it. Naturally I'm not wanting to take a bath on it but I have the room and Joe says there is not much rust on the car.

I keep telling myself the next one I buy will be a show car that all I have to do is drive. Never happens that way. Guess I have a weakness for junk.

[joefrazer]

I think the car is worth $500 but no more given the bad interior and unknown engine condition. For that kind of money, one could afford to store it for a future restoration.

Joe, I am a stones throw from Kirtland and the temples. For those who may not know, Kirtland was an important stop for the Mormons on their way west. My home stood at that time and probably saw a few pass by. Just a quick history lesson!

[JoeKeys2010]

Me and my family are Mormons and have been to Kirtland before. I sold this trip to the wife that we were headed up to visit Kirtland and while in the neighbor

[JoeKeys2010]

Might look at an old car. She bought it but after 25 years of marriage she figured out the plot. If nothing happen between now and then we are coming up to get it. As Hank Williams would say "Good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise".