Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => Cars For Sale & Wanted => Topic started by: IdahoKaiser on November 09, 2014, 11:02:12 PM
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Hello, I just joined the forum, and so this is my first attempt at posting something - please forgive me of my mistakes. I found this Vagabond on eBay, and would like to see someone buy it before it gets dismantled or crushed. The url is listed below - sorry, but I couldn't find a way to turn it into a link so you will have to copy and paste it in your browser address bar.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301387211180?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
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Strange, no interior shots.
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I saw 4 interior shots!
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This seller claims that this is the up-scale Vagabond but it has the narrower single side moldings of the Traveler according to the pictures. I only see three outside pictures also. Thanks for joining us IdahoKaiser and for posting this. It looks like a very restorable car.
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There are more pictures if you scroll through them. The under the hood shot reveals an OD relay on the firewall which a Vagabond most-likely would have had. Also, this shot from the rear shows wood strips which a Vagabond would have had, and the steering wheel/dash looks like the fancy type a Vagabond would have but I agree with Gordie; the outside shots look like a Traveler. I didn't see any pics of the tags.
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Interesting car. It has the 2bbl intake, chromed window winder knobs instead of plastic, stainless inner and outer windshield moldings, the rear seat ashtray, tenite wheel, wood slats, chrome rear license plate bracket, and pleated front seat...all hallmarks of a Vagabond. But, there is no evidence of fender skirts, and no clock. The narrow molding on the car is not correct, it looks more like 50s counter top edging.
Look closely and you can see that the trim tag is missing...of course!
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Darrin 145 is correct on the extra photos that I missed previously. It's too bad the person listing the car did not list the COMPLETE serial number (with the prefix which would have identified it as a K492 or K491) but the multi-pleat upholstery does suggest a Vagabond.
It should be noted also that Kaiser Travelers had Overdrive as an option during most (but not the early part) of its production run in 1949-50 model years. Check the info on the Traveler in KFOCI HANDBOOK for details.
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Pardon my ignorance, but this is how I learn.
1. I thought Vagabonds were only Frazer through 1951. Since no one else is commenting on that I must be incorrect.
2. Any visual indicators of Vagabond such as badges on exterior or is it a Vagabond by trim code only?
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There should be Vagabond script on the front fender. The lower line version used Traveler script. The exterior should also have the same rocker and door bottom moldings as used on the concurrent Deluxe sedans. They also used the aforementioned chrome plated rear license plate holder as well as fender skirts. I believe the wheels would have had trim rings as well.
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Read the appropriate sections of KFOCI HANDBOOK. This is explained in the sections dealing with the 1949-50 KAISER VAGABOND and the 1951 FRAZER VAGABOND automobiles.
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It is tempting, but is it me or does it look like serious rust out under the back wood slats?
Plus, it's in North Carolina, Asheville - which would add $1000 + in transport. In fact, if it were given to me, it would still start out as a $1000 + car.
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In my experience, the most interesting cars are ALWAYS 1000 miles or $1000 away, whichever is greater.
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This one is definitely an ambitious restoration. This car may be better suited as a donor for a more solid example.
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Popular Science Magazine of April 1949 has a great eight page article on the Traveler and Vagabond noting most of the differences between the two models.
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Traveler had metal slats in the tailgate/trunk area, the Vagabond had wood - that's one big difference. Also the steering wheel and column trim/ upholstery (many of them had leather upholstery.) The 1949/50 Vagabonds are actually kind of rare, you don't see a lot of them compared Travelers. The '51 Frazer utility vehicles were all Vagabonds - no '51 Frazer Travelers.
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Thanks Fid. I do still have a few reference magazines and books around and could have dug deeper.
I have always heard that Vagabonds had leather, which for a Kaiser in 1949 is pretty rare. My 49 Virginian didn't even have leather and most Virginians did not.
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Hi , I am also new to the forum. After months of waiting to have my membership activated I applied a second time and then emailed a few folks on this thread to help me find the right person to help activate. It worked, finally! Thanks guys.
OK so this is my Vagabond in the listing. It is for sure a K492 serial numbered Vagabond. It has the wood for the floor and all the other upgrades you would expect EXCEPT the clock. I also have all the pictures you would ever need available. The trim may be wrong as pointed out. I am not sure. I will have a look at it today and see. I do have it reluctantly on sale and since its Christmas I would take $1200 cash for it or trade for a daily driver beater car or truck. Anyone have any questions just ask. Here is the link to the updated listing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301408395549
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I can't afford the transport. But I like it and hope you can find it a new home. This is one that SHOULD be put in the Bulletin even though it is not a member's car. Not a lot of members on the forum overall, and in the Bulletin this one might find a good home. But seller is not a KFOCI member I don't think. Needs an executive override.
As for the clock delete that is curious. I know there are a ton of 49-50 clocks on ebay last time I checked.
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If a member sponsors an ad it can appear in the bulletin one time or that non member can pay $10.00 in advance and have an ad placed. See the Bulletin for more details.
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About the clock, yes I have seen clocks available. What I haven't seen any of are clock delete plates. Wouldn't you think a clock delete with plate in place is much rarer for a Vagabond that the clock itself? I would rather just leave it because those old clocks never work right anyway!
As for this bulletin, thanks for the heads up. Where exactly do I go to put an ad there?
I really want to find this old girl good home. With only 49k original miles and a smooth running engine if no one wants it like it is I'll get her driving, bond out a title, and patch up some rusty bits over the winter. Then try again to sell it for much more in the spring.
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You can contact the editor at bulletin@kfclub.com There is a limit of ten lines and tell the editor that I will sponsor you.
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Thanks Gordie, I send an e-mail to the address you provided. It is much appreciated.
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Anyone interested? I found some great shipping options cheap. One guy said he didn't want to spend $1000 to ship it to him and I found an excellent shipper for for $485. So don't let that stop you. I am willing to work with a buyer to make it happen, I just want a good home for her and I DON'T want to have to part her out and crush the rest!
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Your ad will appear in the next Bulletin and hopefully your car will find a new home.
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I am confident that the newsletter will find her a good home. I just hope I can wait long enough for that. I'm not the most patient person, which is why I jumped on this old girl before really thinking it out. IF I do keep it I am thinking of a pretty radical custom. Something like a 49 Mercury Woody. With a chopped and laid back roof with a wood tailgate, bed, hatch, headliner and interior trim. I've always wanted to build a phantom woody and this oddball might be perfect. BUUUTT, it would be at least a year before I could get to it with my 46 Chevy shop truck and 48 Dodge Business Coupe ahead of it in line. Not to mention my 40 Plymouth 4 door that I want to make into a taxi cab. SO, yeah, if someone wants it before the newsletter hits, I will do a great deal to get it into your hands. If I have to wait for the newsletter I probably won't need the money so bad by then and I will probably stick close to the price I've got set in that ad.
In short, NOW is the time for a deal!