1951 Kaiser sign on eBay

[Gordie]

Hi Guys,  I just won an odd 11 X 15 inch cardboard hand lettered sign on eBay.  It says "Henry J. Kaiser's personal car - 1924 Broadway, Oakland Cal.  Chauffer driven 1951 till late 55 by Dick Taylor.  Car brought to Ill. in 1963 by Kenneth E. Hembrough, Jacksonville, Ill."   We know where Edgar Kaiser's Henry J resides and also his Darrin but does anyone know anything about this car?  It is aparently a 1951 model and Dick Taylor must have been an employee of Kaiser Frazer but I do not know who Kenneth E Hembrough is.  He is not in the current membership roster.  Does anyone remember anything about him or the car?  Thanks,  Gordie

[Fid]

Hi Gordie, I think this refers to a green '51 Kaiser that was Henry J Kaiser's personal car (one of several he had). Last I saw it was at the KFOC National in Dearborn back in 1974. I think Ken Lindsey owned it at that time but I can't be sure. There is an article about it in the Spring 1969 KFOC Quarterly - 10th anniversary edition. The article is written by Ken Hembrough and Ken Lindsey. It is car number K512-067782 and has an experimental 248 CID overhead valve six in it. The story further states it was purchased by Ken Hembrough from a former parts man of Henry J Kaiser's in Oakland, CA. Hembrough had his brother bring it to IL and later sold it to Ken Lindsey. Also noted is that it has a "straw-colored" vinyl top which predated the dragon trim models of 1951 as well as an oversized steering wheel. Like Edgar's Henry J, the car has paint code 999 which means "non-standard" or "Factory Special." The trim code is 888 with the same meaning.  The black and white photo of it in the Q shows it also has wire wheels.  My father took a lot of 8mm movies of KF meets back in the 70s and there is a short snippet of this car at Dearborn. I'll have to look at that video again. I too have wondered where this car is today. Perhaps Ken Lindsey still owns it. I still see him at meets all the time, he was at Hoffman Estates last summer.

[Gordie]

Wow!  Thanks for the great information.  Ken Lindsey is still in the new roster and is a very early member #126.  He lives in Normal IL and I will contact him to see if he still has the car.  It must be very unusual.  Thanks again!  Gordie

[Fid]

Ken is highly regarded among the seasoned KFers. He's a good guy to know.

[Gordie]

Thank you again!  The sign arrived in the mail today and it was just as described.  It is an odd piece of KF memorabilia but will look good on my garage wall.