1947 Kaiser - Ebay

[joefrazer]

Normally I don't post ebay ads but this car seems unusual. It appears to be an early car with the front exhaust pipe outlet. I've only ever seen one other.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-Sedan-None-/191732173718?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2ca420cb96:g:EZoAAOSwQoFWO2hi&item=191732173718

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

I have to wonder about the aluminum body parts the seller states are with the car.  How did he determine this or is this what the seller told him.

[montefrazer]

Was wondering about that, too. Also taillight lense showing is the the two bulb style for blinkers. Maybe this is a Frazer?

[joefrazer]

I emailed the seller for more information. Stay tuned!

[Gordie]

Kaiser did experiment with aluminum and at least one car was made of aluminum.  Pictures are known with Henry looking at the back of the car.  The ID numbers on this car may prove interesting.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The car Gordie refers to is a prototype K-85 Kaiser.  Both prototypes (there are 2 not 6; a factory document confirms that point) were sold for scrap to the same Detroit area salvage yard that got a lot of the 1950's GM prototype show cars.  The Kaisers were spotted in the yard cut in two (across, left to right at the center post) and went to scrap prior to 1980. 
Body panel stamping dies for sheet steel (not sheet aluminum) were the only ones made for production that I know of.

[joefrazer]

Looks like the seller posted more pictures as well as the VIN from the title where the engine number was used to register the vehicle - many states did that back in the day. I'm going to ask the seller to check the door post and provide that number. The seller did say that he did not see a trim tag. Figures...

[joefrazer]

Update - the serial number on this car is K100-003038. That would make this car the fifth oldest Kaiser known according to our club's registry. This car is worth saving.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Makes things more interesting.  Car #2961 was owned by Gerry Laurin in WI until the garage fire destroyed it.  That was as far as I know, the earliest running Kaiser branded car around.  His car also had K A I S E R  & "Special" in stylized script on the trunk (I saw the car before restoration started).  Either the cut point was at #3000 or the trunk lid was replaced.  And again, aluminum body parts?  Not likely by the time this car hit the assembly line. 

[r1lark]

I emailed the seller. He says the trunklid and fenders are not aluminum, but the hood is aluminum.

Did early cars use aluminum hoods?

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

No production cars are supposed to have aluminum hoods.  I noted in the picture though that it was not pre-punched for the individual letters and the Kaiser crest.  There is no factory documentation that aluminum body parts were used on either the Kaiser K-100 Special or the Graham-Paige Frazer.  Car serial number 2961 (less than 50 units earlier on the line) did not have an aluminum hood.  The car would not have been built without the letters and crest.

[Gordie]

It is difficult to see from the angle of the photo if the hood has holes or not.  It may have an aftermarket hood.  I have an ad for aftermarket door skins for the early cars but it does not specify the type of metal.  Early door handles are different and if missing may be very hard to locate.

[joefrazer]

Well, who's near Gaston, Oregon? We should have some boots on the ground in the area...someone who can personally inspect the car. It could very well be that this car rewrites what we "know" about early Kaisers.

[jbailey]

JoeFrazer:

Bob Dexter, the PNW Regional Manager lives in Newburg OR, not all that far from Gaston, OR.  Gaston is 20 miles away from Newburg at the most.

John B.

[montefrazer]

Any updates on this?