49 Vagabond on eBay

[IdahoKaiser]

Hello, I just joined the forum, and so this is my first attempt at posting something - please forgive me of my mistakes. I found this Vagabond on eBay, and would like to see someone buy it before it gets dismantled or crushed. The url is listed below - sorry, but I couldn't find a way to turn it into a link so you will have to copy and paste it in your browser address bar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301387211180?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Strange, no interior shots.

[darrin145]

 I saw 4 interior shots!

[Gordie]

This seller claims that this is the up-scale Vagabond but it has the narrower single side moldings of the Traveler according to the pictures.  I only see three outside pictures also.  Thanks for joining us IdahoKaiser and for posting this.  It looks like a very restorable car.

[Fid]

There are more pictures if you scroll through them. The under the hood shot reveals an OD relay on the firewall which a Vagabond most-likely would have had. Also, this shot from the rear shows wood strips which a Vagabond would have had, and the steering wheel/dash looks like the fancy type a Vagabond would have but I agree with Gordie; the outside shots look like a Traveler. I didn't see any pics of the tags.

[joefrazer]

Interesting car. It has the 2bbl intake, chromed window winder knobs instead of plastic, stainless inner and outer windshield moldings, the rear seat ashtray, tenite wheel, wood slats, chrome rear license plate bracket, and pleated front seat...all hallmarks of a Vagabond. But, there is no evidence of fender skirts, and no clock. The narrow molding on the car is not correct, it looks more like 50s counter top edging.

Look closely and you can see that the trim tag is missing...of course!

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Darrin 145 is correct on  the extra photos that I missed previously.  It's too bad the person listing the car did not list the COMPLETE serial number (with the prefix which would have identified it as a K492 or K491) but the multi-pleat upholstery does suggest a Vagabond. 

It should be noted also that Kaiser Travelers had Overdrive as an option during most (but not the early part) of its production run in 1949-50 model years.  Check the info on the Traveler in KFOCI HANDBOOK for details. 

[Roadmaster49]

Pardon my ignorance, but this is how I learn.

1. I thought Vagabonds were only Frazer through 1951. Since no one else is commenting on that I must be incorrect. 

2. Any visual indicators of Vagabond such as badges on exterior or is it a Vagabond by trim code only?

[joefrazer]

There should be Vagabond script on the front fender. The lower line version used Traveler script. The exterior should also have the same rocker and door bottom moldings as used on the concurrent Deluxe sedans. They also used the aforementioned chrome plated rear license plate holder as well as fender skirts. I believe the wheels would have had trim rings as well.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Read the appropriate sections of KFOCI HANDBOOK.  This is explained in the sections dealing with the 1949-50 KAISER VAGABOND and the 1951 FRAZER VAGABOND automobiles. 

[Roadmaster49]

It is tempting, but is it me or does it look like serious rust out under the back wood slats? 

Plus, it's in North Carolina, Asheville - which would add $1000 + in transport.  In fact, if it were given to me, it would still start out as a $1000 + car. 

[51Deluxe]

In my experience, the most interesting cars are ALWAYS 1000 miles or $1000 away, whichever is greater.

[joefrazer]

This one is definitely an ambitious restoration. This car may be better suited as a donor for a more solid example.

[Gordie]

Popular Science Magazine of April 1949 has a great eight page article on the Traveler and Vagabond noting most of the differences between the two models.

[Fid]

Traveler had metal slats in the tailgate/trunk area, the Vagabond had wood - that's one big difference. Also the steering wheel and column trim/ upholstery (many of them had leather upholstery.) The 1949/50 Vagabonds are actually kind of rare, you don't see a lot of them compared Travelers. The '51 Frazer utility vehicles were all Vagabonds - no '51 Frazer Travelers.