Collector's Corner

[joefrazer]

To some extent, everyone who owns an old car collects stuff related to them. Some folks have to have it all, while others are happy with perhaps a magazine ad or two, or something that reminds them of the car. Me, I have a little of this and a little of that so I thought I'd start a thread about what we collect - aside from the cars. Are you one those who collects anything related to Kaiser, Frazer or Willys - or just an item or two. Share a few pictures of what you have..I'm sure you'll own something many of us have never seen before!

I'll seed the thread with a picture of some of the cigarette lighters bearing the Kaiser name that were produced. Most are from the construction and materials side of the business, but there is one K-F lighter in the mix.

What do you have?

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Items on K-F or Willys collectables also appear in the FROM THE CLUB HISTORIAN section of KFOCI MONTHLY BULLETIN from time to time & will start appearing in issues of KFOCI QUARTERLY.

[Jerry Wilbeck]

Here are some photos of items I own.
May trade one of these items with someone for a pristine "Darrin Styled" badge for 47 or so deck lid.
Let me know!

[Jerry Wilbeck]

Here is the "badge" I am referencing.

[Terry T]

Here is the "badge" I am referencing.

Sorry- that is not a badge. It is the brass casting mold.


Lone wolf knows not what he is talking about!

[Gordie]

Thanks Jim for starting this topic.  There are a lot of things to collect relating to Kaiser and Frazer and Willys and here are a few that I can think of.

Accessories                                                                                      Magazine ads
Advertising                                                                                      Miniature billboard road signs with Kaisers                                                                                            Money clips                                                                                     Cardboard license plates from showroom display cars
Advertising signs                                                                             Newspaper ads
Articles and road tests                                                                     Owners manuals 
Ashtrays
Banners                                                                                          Paper weights
Books about Kaiser-Frazer and Willys                                                Parts lists
Calendars                                                                                       Playing cards
Cigarette lighters                                                                             Paint chips
Cloth patches                                                                                  Pens and pencils
Data books                                                                                     Postcards
Dealer business cards                                                                      Press kits
Dealer business forms                                                                      Promotional models
Dealer give away items                                                                    Repair manuals
Dealer stationary                                                                             Rulers
Desk sets                                                                                        Sales aids
Factory letters to the dealers                                                             Sales albums
Fans                                                                                                Sales literature                         
Hats and caps                                                                                  Service bulletins
Hood ornaments                                                                               Tie clips and pins
Ice scrapers                                                                                     Tools
Jewelry                                                                                            Toy cars and models and kits built or un-built
Keys and key holders                                                                         Thermometers
KFOCI Bulletins                                                                                 Visor mirrors and wall hanging mirrors
KFOCI convention souvenirs                                                               Wall posters
KFOCI Quarterlies                                                                              Wrist watches
KFOCI convention tee shirts                                                                Miniature road signs with Kaisers shown
knives                                                                                               
License plate frames                                                                          The same items for Willys
License plate toppers

These items all pertain to advertising the products either by the factory or the dealers and the dealers especially gave away many interesting things and there seems to be no end to new discoveries.  Some of us collect some of these and some of us are crazy enough to try to collect it all which is a fun but never ending task.  Tell us about what you collect.

[Gordie]

Isn't that the same emblem that was also used on the 1951 Kaisers?  Rudy Phillips offers them new for $30.00 and has one part number for them.

[Jerry Wilbeck]

Jake (aka Chris Becker), a NON-MEMBER, knows everything.  If you don't believe it, just ask HIM.

[Fid]

Isn't that the same emblem that was also used on the 1951 Kaisers?  Rudy Phillips offers them new for $30.00 and has one part number for them.

Yes. They are listed in the 1947/48 parts book as part number 200556 also the same part/number in the 1951 parts manual.

As to not hijack joe frazer's thread, I'll state that I don't really  have a specific type of KF memorabilia that I collect but do pick up things that I find interesting. I have a lot of post cards that have KF cars on them.  Example, one with a blue '51 Kaiser, just like mine, driving across the Royal Gorge.  Also one from Sarasota, Fl which has a peac0ck blue '53 J on it which is just like mine.  I have some documents that were signed by Edgar Kaiser since I have his Henry J. 
Basically, if I see something I like, I try to get it

[Terry T]

add to the list--anything related to Willow Run during the KF years

[Gordie]

There is a small book on Willow Run but it barely mentions Kaiser-Frazer even though they were there far longer than Ford.  There are lots of factory photos and even photos taken during the K-F airplane assembly and a few folders regarding picking up your new K-F car at Willow Cottage.  Also there are several different types of plant badges so I guess there is plenty to collect from there.

[pnw_oldmags]

I have always enjoyed collecting TOGETHER WE BUILD PINS.

[njpatera]

Jim, what is the story/history/particulars about that pin? I'm a toddler in terms of the club, but that is the first time I've seen that one...I like it!

[pnw_oldmags]

Kaiser ran lots of different companies.  Kaiser Industries, Kaiser Aluminum, Kaiser Steel, Kaiser-Frazer Corporation and on and on.  If you worked for any of them for 5 Years you would get a years of service pin. Pins were issued at many different years 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 ... 40. 

[MarkH]

I collected vintage cigarette cases for years (have hundreds), then vintage toy boats for a few years, both wood & lithograph tin. Went to LOTS of flea markets and antique & collectable shops, always keeping an eye out for Aero stuff too. Probably have the majority of the most common Aero magazine ads & dealer brochures, and a couple fairly rare items posted here before.

Here's something I haven't posted, a liquid "floaty" pen with a gold plated Aero in it. Engraved & highlighted in red, "Aero Ace", under that "Willys Motors Inc."
Made by Progressive Products Inc.Union N.J.