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Henry J & Allstate Forum / HJ rear seat ash trays are the same as 1934 Ford

« on: March 01, 2024, 04:49:13 PM »

After looking at some pictures on ebay, it has become clear that the 1934 Ford rear seat ash trays are the same as Henry J.  I've heard the Darrin ash tray is the same as a '37 Plymouth or thereabouts.  Anyway I posted a pic of some HJ rear ash trays I restored and here are some ebay ads for the '34 Ford types.  They are the same.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116084665091?itmmeta=01HQXZSQS8DW85CFXDSAMPMZNQ&hash=item1b072f6b03:g:reEAAOSwqT1l37oq&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAABAEi1krCzN43QckJ3cbpa8RLBC8GGjgV35Xo%2Fhm2rdGvCb4IdhddBvOyGM%2FoNGV9UBQMFpWJlusGi%2BZW%2Frw%2FJ5OxzrKLORrpgiq%2BJA%2F4i%2FSZm4jiYHKbk%2Fl6deDihzA6q89FGcTC%2FgFqpwMBIqtWW67qaUmEYuvE6GkMX1YaghZP5ceCv%2BrRLLnAlgp6jC0WoVV1gQ%2BNpvuXQt8vG9YB6jQ27z3njVlUZh20VY2gXQYSDU7O2oV1NPlTwqOD2UzmmhG6T%2B61mPVJbLCt%2B3OvUODq8dpcqRYhb2r%2FSx11NHgGpOHcas7J9ievnj4KB1RIq7yYOo61GxiS%2Fn2DokVzm6AY%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9j85r-_Yw

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115867143948?itmmeta=01HQXZSQS97556KDNSCEE7RHXX&hash=item1afa384f0c:g:oDMAAOSwRJ1kuvSO&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAABIJ3wg7YAAQNtYlLU3OWaA9KN0y8SUfKPgPftn8jplaFMM6ZRFYw1uNuFSOhIKategZWCmUBMYTsXYNhhTRccTpDHp9x4I6KRcFOYR1dN1frupKKqgdx9aGw0et7dAyTlORuEuqxctfhiVP0ia%2FmJIxdsXYBoEk2kKDJZEkYKqNk8bX5A4LVsuNPUGNKQy%2FINxo6BIfCD%2BAjiGfbMN8GLT8cmx3kDbPmnGGiULilei399zfv8BbNW340MXlUT1oxsR8RCtgAeb%2BDK9UNcT1lyr8m8bEpEVDzLuJDfGVaGzffhZGoP1J58OcdyKXDiXzd4MK%2FIGIESMsPAD1u66pbRBOBQ3SlISejonYtM2wGIadb0wtehLR%2Bl%2FZuxe5IuTQHtLg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9z85r-_Yw

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Virginians, Hardtops, Convertibles, & Dragons / Dragon video from the Des Moinse, IA show

« on: April 11, 2023, 09:27:42 PM »

Another nice video from the show last Sept https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_YVytr26Nk

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Darrin Forum / Good video from the Des Moines Show last Sept

« on: April 11, 2023, 09:11:55 PM »

Good watch.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRjnXrlQP6I

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Henry J & Allstate Forum / Spare tire mount in Allstate / HJ(?) trunk

« on: December 22, 2022, 01:34:25 PM »

When I bought my Allstate 3 years ago, one thing I noticed on it, is an additional mount of some type in the trunk.  It appears to be a tire mount for mounting a spare tire horizontally in the trunk.  The piece is welded to the trunk floor so it seemed unlikely (however, not certain) that someone would have added it. I thought perhaps it maybe something Sears asked for or maybe just something a previous owner (with access to welding equipment or someone else who has such) decided to add.  While attending the KFOC National last July, John Black showed up with his early '52 Allstate.  When he opened the trunk lid, it revealed that his Allstate also has it (his car has a Continental spare so it's easier to see in his trunk.)  Now I really wonder about it so I thought I'd post it here and see anyone else has ever seen such or knows anything about it.  These are the only two cars I've seen with it and the fact that they are both Allstates may be coincidence or maybe this is something Sears asked for on the early cars.  Both of these cars that have it also have a package cover behind the rear seat back.  I know regarding the cars with that feature, there is only one tire that will fit in the spare well (and it barely fits) and that's the 5.90 that these cars were originally equipped with.  Maybe Sears had that mount added so if someone had a larger spare, or a snow tire, it could be mounted horizontally???  It's also possible that the early '52 HJ Vagabonds with the shelf may have had but I don't know and haven't seen one.  Anyone have any information to share regarding this feature?  Thanks

5

General Discussion / Celebrating 75 Years of Kaiser-Frazer at the Des Moines Concours d'Elegance

« on: October 15, 2022, 12:30:21 PM »

The show took place last month on Sept 11th.  There were 2 Kaisers, a Darrin, a Henry J an Allstate and a lone Frazer. The Frazer was separated into the "Preservation class" as it was unrestored so it's not in with KFs.  The cars are: Linden Green '48 Kaiser Custom (with factory leather upholstery), '53 Kaiser Dragon, '52 Allstate Deluxe, '53 Henry J Corsair Deluxe and '54 Darrin.

And here's the local new coverage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlhyX1pIypQ

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Henry J & Allstate Forum / Allstate progress in 2021

« on: December 28, 2021, 08:44:42 PM »

I haven't provided any updates in awhile and there were many improvements made on the Allstate in 2021. In June I took it to the annual "Back To the Fifties Weekend" in St. Paul - a show I highly recommend.  Here it is in line waiting to get in when the gates open at 6a (there were 12,000 cars registered and lines to get in usually extend over a mile. You can see some of it in the rear view pic of the Allstate in line)  I couldn't help but notice the Dodge in front of it is almost the exact same color.  Must've been popular back in the day.

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Henry J & Allstate Forum / My Allstate was photographed by Motor Trend

« on: December 04, 2021, 10:05:35 PM »

I had my Allstate at the annual MSRA (Minnesota Street Rod Association) Back To the Fifties Weekend last June.  I saw their (MSRA's) website they posted some pics taken by Motor Trend.  My Allstate is number 92 in this list of car pics they took:

https://www.motortrend.com/features/back-50s-2021-opening-day-minnesota-10000-car-street-rod-show?galleryimageid=205d326c-e5fc-4dde-92fe-7d421ac74878

I didn't hear about this till today so I don't know if it was ever on their site or in the magazine. I'm guessing if it had been in the magazine I would've heard about it months ago.  Since they took 130 pics, I'm guessing they were not published in print.

I attached just the pic of my car below.  Would be great to get some more KF products there next year.

I should also add that just because it's sponsored and run by the Minnnesota Street Rod Association, the show is not restricted to just street rods.  All vehicles '64 and older are welcomed and you get good variety of originals, customs and cars and trucks. It's a great show.

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Henry J & Allstate Forum / Has anyone seen one of these before?

« on: August 10, 2020, 08:53:09 AM »

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1949-1950-1951-Kaiser-Henry-J-Dome-Light-NOS/254682590429?hash=item3b4c43ecdd:g:u0MAAOSwUplfMG1~

It looks like a '53 Henry J dome light lens but there's no toggle switch on it. I've never seen one like it.  Has anyone else here ever seen one?

The dome light was one of the "39 ways" the '53 Henry J was "Better" according the KF literature.

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Henry J & Allstate Forum / Allstate photo shoot

« on: August 02, 2020, 12:37:46 PM »

Now that all the major work is done, I've been driving the Allstate quite a bit. I want to find out if I could cruise at 65 mph in event I wanted to attend one of the very few rallies/events that are taking place in my area.  I took it out to a back road in the country and found it will cruise at 65 mph no problem.  I even had it up to 70 mph + a couple of times and it seemed to sail right along!
Stopped at an abandoned weigh station and got some pictures.  Still looking for Allstate wheel covers / hubcaps if anyone knows of any!

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Henry J & Allstate Forum / Blue Satin '51 on Ebay

« on: July 05, 2020, 03:04:27 PM »

You don't see many with this upholstery. I think this makes 3 that I've encountered with -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1951-Other-Makes/133457164147?hash=item1f12aab773:g:0~EAAOSwIZ5fAQVd

11

Henry J & Allstate Forum / Allstate Progress

« on: July 01, 2020, 12:25:46 PM »

It's been awhile but since April I have improved the Allstate by leaps and bounds.  No idea there was so much work to do on a vehicle the seller informed me was a "turn key" car.
I'm happy to report that after much hard work the Allstate now runs and drives as well as any of my other Js.
Here's what I've done since April:

New Piston rings
New valve seats
Rebuilt overdrive transmission
New throw out bearing
New wire harness (since Bob McBride has passed, I had to make my own - I have a lot more respect for him now that I have done one!)
New voltage regulator
Resurfaced flywheel
All new body to frame mounting pads (what a difference this made!)
Repaired seat adjuster
Carburetor rebuilt
I finally got the paperwork done to get a title and license so now I can drive it and it's doing great.

Now to be fair, none of these tasks would affect whether or not the key could be turned...

Regardless, I took it out for a quick photo op this morning.
With everything else done now, I can focus on the "fun stuff" like new knobs, a radio (just purchased an Allstate radio) and other such accessories. 
I am confident I can make this Allstate great again!

12

General Discussion / Additional Part Identification

« on: May 29, 2020, 04:02:00 PM »

Over the years I've bought several "Lot of KF parts..." and I've seen this part in a couple of them. I don't recognize what it is. Does anyone know what this part is?

13

Henry J & Allstate Forum / My latest acquisition...

« on: March 09, 2020, 08:55:51 PM »

When I sold my green '52 HJ Vagabond last Oct I said the only way I'd buy another one is if I found an Allstate or an early Aloha green '51 for sale.  Turns out there was one of each within driving distance from me.  I bought Ben's Allstate from Duluth, MN this week. It's an early '52, six cylinder with overdrive tag matching car.  Only thing missing are the hubcaps/wheel covers.  Anyone have any idea where I  might find those?   Anyway, it needs to be put together and there's a lot more to do than I had anticipated so it looks like it will be awhile before it sees the road but when it does, it will be exceptional!  I'll keep everyone posted.

14

General Discussion / Early Style radio on ebay

« on: January 31, 2020, 04:19:33 PM »

I'm posting this topic here as opposed to the Parts for Sale category because my question does not pertain to the sale.  This 1947/48 radio is currently for sale on ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kaiser-Frazer-1947-48-K-F-200001-General-Electric-230-Car-Radio/143519899273?hash=item216a73de89:g:hMUAAOSwt95eNHtO

and it's rather uncommon compared to others.  Most I've worked on have white numbers on the dial with a tan background. This style has a dial face with blue numbers on a gold background.  The numeral '8' on these will turn red when the manual tuning position is selected, just like the other style but I've always wondered what the difference was. Seems it's likely a change in the way GE manufactured them.  Both styles function the same but the only time I ever saw this style in a car it was a 1947 Frazer Manhattan.  I thought I read somewhere there was difference between those installed in a Kaiser and those installed in a Frazer and I thought perhaps this was the Frazer style, however, if you look at the pictures it has the plastic push button on it which only the Kaiser used (the Frazer used the center "tooth" on the dashboard to select the preset positions.)  The other thing I noticed about this type with the gold face is the covers (and you can see it in the pics of this ad) are painted with a brown "krinkle" paint whereas the others were plain aluminum.   Does anyone have info or thoughts regarding these 2 different styles of the early radio?  I've found nothing on them so my guess is that GE just decided to change them one day for whatever reason.  I guessing, and it's only a guess, that this was the earlier type.

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Cars For Sale & Wanted / 1953 Henry J on Craig's List

« on: January 10, 2020, 09:36:42 PM »

Not mine but for sale in Prescott, AZ

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/d/prescott-henry-1953/7050075895.html