This year’s Kaisers are totally identical to last year’s models. This allows Kaiser-Frazer to give new serial numbers to the cars that remained unsold last year - no less than 20% of its production. Kaiser’s strategy is to wait for the mid-year introduction of a brand new car, a beautiful early 1951 model again penned by Howard “Dutch” Darrin.
Kaiser Special
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 100 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 125 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door “Traveler” utility sedan. Note: the utility sedan is called a “four-door”, though one rear door was welded into place due to the positioning of the spare tyre behind it. Nevertheless, some of these cars are also fitted with four doors that can be truly opened.
Kaiser Deluxe
The Deluxe most notably adds to the Standard’s equipment the “dual manifold” 112 hp engine, along with wide chromed rocker panels. A particularity of the Deluxe is that it sports chromed scripts on the front wings indicating the name of the car’s paint.
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart, September 1948 for the Deluxe, January 1949 for the four-door convertible. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door convertible sedan.
Kaiser Vagabond
The Vagabond combines the rich level of equipment of the Deluxe with the practicality of the utility sedan’s body.
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart, September 1948 for the Vagabond. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door utility sedan.
Kaiser Virginian
The Virginian hardtop sedan actually retains window frames similar to those found of the convertible sedan. Its roof is covered by vinyl and its interior is rather luxurious, but its price is staggering.
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart, September 1948 for the Virginian. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door “hardtop” sedan.
Kaiser Taxi
Kaiser has developed a version of the Special specially designed for taxicab operators. Suspension is reinforced and the seats are fitted with a tougher, more durable material, while the taximeter is installed in the glove box. The Kaiser taxi come standard with the dual manifold 112 hp engine.
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart, September 1948 for the taxi. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Mid-1950 models:
Early in 1950, Kaiser releases a new generation of cars, roughly similar to the models they replace from a mechanical point of view, but graced by a supremely elegant body. Again drawn by Howard “Dutch” Darrin, it features this designer’s characteristic side “crease” just ahead of the rear wings. Dubbed “Anatomic Design” by Kaiser’s publicists, this striking style allows the new Kaiser to pretend to the title of this year’s most beautiful American automobile. The success of the previous Traveler utility sedan justifies this original version to be renewed among Kaiser’s latest range. A Hydra-Matic automatic gearbox is now available as an option, courtesy of General Motors.
Kaiser Special
● Introduction: February 1950. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 115 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 530 cm. Top speed: 135 kph. Range: two-door business coupe, two-door club coupe, two-door sedan, two-door “Traveler” utility sedan, four-door sedan, four-door “Traveler” utility sedan.
Kaiser Deluxe
● Introduction: February 1950. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 115 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 534 cm. Top speed: 135 kph. Range: two-door club coupe, two-door sedan, two-door “Traveler” utility sedan, four-door sedan, four-door “Traveler” utility sedan.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1947 – 1948 – 1949 – 1950
Or click here for the new generation of Kaiser: 1950 – 1951 – 1952 – 1953 – 1954 – 1955
Click here to return to a list of all Kaiser vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
Kaiser Special
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 100 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 125 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door “Traveler” utility sedan. Note: the utility sedan is called a “four-door”, though one rear door was welded into place due to the positioning of the spare tyre behind it. Nevertheless, some of these cars are also fitted with four doors that can be truly opened.
Kaiser Deluxe
The Deluxe most notably adds to the Standard’s equipment the “dual manifold” 112 hp engine, along with wide chromed rocker panels. A particularity of the Deluxe is that it sports chromed scripts on the front wings indicating the name of the car’s paint.
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart, September 1948 for the Deluxe, January 1949 for the four-door convertible. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan, four-door convertible sedan.
Kaiser Vagabond
The Vagabond combines the rich level of equipment of the Deluxe with the practicality of the utility sedan’s body.
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart, September 1948 for the Vagabond. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door utility sedan.
Kaiser Virginian
The Virginian hardtop sedan actually retains window frames similar to those found of the convertible sedan. Its roof is covered by vinyl and its interior is rather luxurious, but its price is staggering.
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart, September 1948 for the Virginian. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door “hardtop” sedan.
Kaiser Taxi
Kaiser has developed a version of the Special specially designed for taxicab operators. Suspension is reinforced and the seats are fitted with a tougher, more durable material, while the taximeter is installed in the glove box. The Kaiser taxi come standard with the dual manifold 112 hp engine.
● Introduction: June 1946 for the original Frazer, August 1946 for its Kaiser counterpart, September 1948 for the taxi. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 516 cm. Top speed: 130 kph. Range: four-door sedan.
Mid-1950 models:
Early in 1950, Kaiser releases a new generation of cars, roughly similar to the models they replace from a mechanical point of view, but graced by a supremely elegant body. Again drawn by Howard “Dutch” Darrin, it features this designer’s characteristic side “crease” just ahead of the rear wings. Dubbed “Anatomic Design” by Kaiser’s publicists, this striking style allows the new Kaiser to pretend to the title of this year’s most beautiful American automobile. The success of the previous Traveler utility sedan justifies this original version to be renewed among Kaiser’s latest range. A Hydra-Matic automatic gearbox is now available as an option, courtesy of General Motors.
Kaiser Special
● Introduction: February 1950. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 115 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 530 cm. Top speed: 135 kph. Range: two-door business coupe, two-door club coupe, two-door sedan, two-door “Traveler” utility sedan, four-door sedan, four-door “Traveler” utility sedan.
Kaiser Deluxe
● Introduction: February 1950. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.7-litre, 115 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 534 cm. Top speed: 135 kph. Range: two-door club coupe, two-door sedan, two-door “Traveler” utility sedan, four-door sedan, four-door “Traveler” utility sedan.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1947 – 1948 – 1949 – 1950
Or click here for the new generation of Kaiser: 1950 – 1951 – 1952 – 1953 – 1954 – 1955
Click here to return to a list of all Kaiser vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
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