Kaiser-Frazer toys

[studebob]

Thanks Gordie. It is a blue-gray color but has no motor.
Bob

[Gordie]

The motor was a simple spring mounted one and a bar came out of the rectangular hole by the front axle and one end of the spring attached in the slot by the front axle of the base plate.  If over wound which was easy to do the spring broke and the pieces fell out through the bottom or through the windows of the model.  The Banthrico models had a much more substantial motor with a different base plate and wheels.  The bodies were identical.  Because the front bumper-grill assembly was modified during the Banthrico production and all of the grill-bumper assemblies seem to be the same on the Lincoln Line I believe that the Banthrico models came first.  A toy magazine announced the pending production of the Banthrico Henry J models in June of 1950.  The Banthrico's were offered with a motorized version as well as a push style model while all of the Lincoln Line models seemed to have the same spring type motor.  The Lincoln Line did have a hot rod variation with a square hole cut into the back of the hood and an air cleaner protruding out of it.  None of the Lincoln Line models seem to have had windows but both Lincoln Line and Banthrico originally came in red and white boxes and the Lincoln Line models also had a blue and gold sticker on the hood that said "Back up Recoil Motor  guide forward as released"

[Gordie]

In 1945 a company named Lee Stokes Industries made a series of about twenty five mostly 1/87 scale or about two 1/2 inches long model cars made of plaster at first and then a combination of plaster and resin giving them a pinkish color instead of the plain white color of the the earlier models  These were created for model railroaders to use on their layouts as not much was available at that time for the hobby.  There were Tuckers, '49 Fords, Chrysler Town and Countries and several others including what they considered a 1948 Frazer.  They were rather crude and had no moving parts and came unpainted and some came in a set of six in a box which included a couple bottles of paint and a small paint brush or you could choose your own color scheme.  They are so small that it is hard to tell whether it is a Kaiser or Frazer but it is easy to recognize the familiar shape.  These were sold by hobby stores and were quite popular but by 1955 the New Oxford PA company was out of business, probably because of the many small toys being made by Tootsietoy and English companies like Dinky Toys.  They appear on eBay occasionally as two did recently painted red and green.  Someone did a pretty nice job painting them considering their small size and these have chrome bumpers, hubcaps and grill, black tires and white windows.  They have the name "Lee Stokes" cast on the bases so they are the real thing but other companies did try to copy them years later making them out of plastic and their details are much nicer.   The only other Kaiser or Frazer model in the earlier years in kit form that I am aware of for the Kaiser was one made by "Miller" and their model was based on a copy or the 1953 Kaiser Banthrico bank molds.  There were several Kaiser Darin's in kit form as well as Henry J's which we have covered pretty well in previous posts.

[Gordie]

Banthrico who made the Henry J promotional models for Kaiser-Frazer advertised four different colors available but a recent discovery of three new in the boxes Banthrico Henry J models netted a new color of red which added to blue, green maroon, and gray.  There were a couple of changes in the models as they were produced and the earliest models had silver windows which was achieved by spray painting the windows silver from underneath the model and they also had front bumper grill assemblies with no gravel shields.  The later models seem to have clear plastic windows and added gravel shields behind the front bumpers.  They were also offered as push models or with a windup motors and some had an extra cost to the dealer the name and address hot stamped on the roof.  There is a lot to try to collect but "The fun is in the search!".

[Gordie]

We are aware of the several Brooklin models made in England that reproduced many models of old American cars including Kaisers and Henry J's as well as a Willys Aero coupe and  an Allstate.   I was not aware that they also made a dragster version of the Henry J until I found one for sale in China.  It must have been a small run of the models made as I had never seen one before and now that it has arrived in comparing it to the stock version the base plates are slightly different, the wheels are mag style with racing slicke on the back, racing headers installed on the lower front of the models and a grill made without the front bumper and the rear license number changed to "ROD 12".  An interesting model but certainly not worth the money unless you want each variation.  It is in 1:43 scale or about five inches long.  The real Henry J's were such popular drag race cars that there were probably more hot rod models and kits made over the years than the stock varieties.  How many of us collect K-F models?  I hope that I am not the only one!

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Barbara & I bought a 1/18th scale model of what Lucky Die Casting (manufacturer) calls a 1955 Willys Station Wagon (see attached photo which is from the company).  The description has one significant flaw.  The Hamilton Collection ad in OLD CARS says the engine in it (the hood opens so you can see it) is an F-head; actual motor is an L-head (spark plugs are on top of the flat cyl. head not on the side and there is no valve cover on the head).  Also, from what I have in sales literature and other sources The use of the simulated wood trim was not offered on a 1955.  However, it is very well done and we both like what we got...I consider it a prototype that did not make the actual production line at Toledo. 

It is available in various color combinations and trim types.

[Gordie]

That is indeed a great looking model, flaws and all.  Why not call it about a 1951 model and then everything would be correct for the year.  There are not a lot of Willys toys and models to choose from but Hot Wheels now offers a Jeepster, Willys wagon and pickup for a very low price on eBay.  If you are looking for a high quality model look for the Willys line that Brooklin Toys of England made.  They are all short runs and expensive but about the only thing available.  They make an Aero Ace two door, a pickup, a station wagon, a station wagon marked "Israeli Air Force" and a fine looking Jeepster all in 1/43rd scale and priced around $150.00 each.

[studebob]

I recently picked up this Darrin Japanese tin by Ichiko. As you push it the dog moves up and down in his seat. A bladder makes a squeaking noise as if he is barking to show his pleasure in the ride. It is 8-1/4" long and in very good condition although I could use a hubcap if anyone has one.

[Gordie]

This is certainly one of the more interesting Darrin toys ever made.  The box calls this "Driving Pet" with "new action and bark."  The Japanese toy industry made many interesting tin toys beginning in the 1930's.  The companies often traded their dies among each other and you see many tin toys that look the same but they have small differences and many with no name.  This toy is no different and has a twin that looks the same except for differences in door handles and tail lights, wheel covers and has no name stamped in the base.  The Ichiko versions driver wears a two-tone blue striped suit while the generic version has a dark blue suit.  Thanks for sharing this special toy with us.

[studebob]

Thanks for the info. I find that this must be the generic version as the driver has the blue suit and there is no name stamped on the frame.

[Gordie]

My generic model has nicer red, silver and white wheel covers instead of all chrome on the Ichiko.  It also says "made in Japan on the right floor board and "Made in Japan stamped on the  bottom of the model between the front wheels.  The Ichiko says just "Japan" on the floorboard and has the Ichike emblem stamped on the base between the two front wheels.  I hope that you can determine which one you have from these clues.  We are lucky to find either version and there is presently one on eBay priced at $300 and it is missing parts.

[Gordie]

Esval, the company that makes the beautiful 1955 Willys Aeros either with or without a continental kit has just announced two new 1953 Kaiser two door models.  One is a Carolina in light yellow and the other a Manhattan in a pretty two-tone green.  These are resin models in 1:43 scale and they look great in the photos although they do not have opening doors, hood or trunk.  No one else seems to make a model of the scarce Carolina so this may be our only chance to get one.  They are priced at just under $100 plus shipping.  Since they will be limited edition models I bought the pair and hope they arrive soon as they are available in the U.S. on line.

[Gordie]

The Esval models arrived today just two days after ordering them ant they look great in see through boxes that let you get a great view without removing them from the box.  One bonus is that that at the last minute before production they decided to add a same color sun visor on the models that give them a great look and they are the only Kaiser-Frazer models that I have ever seen with visors.  The only flaw that I noticed is that the Manhattan has the same small hub caps as used on the Carolina instead of full wheel covers.  I am very pleased with them.

[Gordie]

There are not many Willys Aero toys or models available but there are probably thousands of jeeps and over a hundred station wagons and a few Jeepsters to try to collect.  There was a promotional model made by a company named Bird for the Willys dealers to give away in 1953 but few were made and they are extremely hard to find today.  I saw one for sale about ten years ago for a lot of money and I now regret not trying to buy it as I have not seen one for sale since.  British model maker Brooklin has offered a 1954 Willys Aero Ace two door sedan that looks quite nice in the pictures but always were offered in the $200.00 range.  I finally saw one on line for under $100.00 and was able to win it with no competition.  It is a silver gray color with a white roof and features a finely detailed hood ornament, door handles, tail lights wind shield wipers and other features including a light gray interior.  They are comparable to the recently discussed Esval models also in 1:43 scale but far heavier as they are all metal instead of being resin.  All are very authentic and accurately made replicas of those scarce Willys Aero's.

[Gordie]

I recently found a second six inch Kaiser Darrin tin friction toy that looked just like one I already had but on close inspection they were the same except one driver has a red helmet and the other has a white one.  Both were made by a Japanese company with the initials ASC.  The odd thing is that the boxes are completely different designs.  One shows a red Darrin with "Kaiser Darrin 161" on the box.  The other has a blue Darrin with "Kaiser friction DARLIN 161" on the box.  Perhaps they got a nasty letter from Dutch Darrin's lawyers and had to change their advertising.  One is marked in pencil 39 and the other has a Payless tag with 29 cents stamped on it.  Where were we when these toys were sold for so little,?  Try and find one for under $200 today!