1947 Kaiser K100 Special 4 Door Sedan

The 1947 Kaiser Special dates from a time of shining possibilities for its manufacturer. Ambitious, fast moving California industrialist Henry Kaiser had teamed up with savvy Detroit veteran Joseph Frazer to do the seemingly impossible -- crack the U.S. auto industry "club" epitomized by the Big Three of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Their uniquely designed cars were intended to pull attention from the big three who resumed producing established models after the war. Nearly 760,000 automobiles were produced by Kaiser from 1946 to 1955 but once the big three started releasing fresh designs, demand for Kaisers waned.

For consignment, one of 65,067 Kaiser Specials built in 1947. That seems like a big number, but Kaisers are considered uncommon and somewhat obscure in the show car world. This one turns over but does not run due to a bad starter and leaky gas tank. Here's an opportunity to get into a relatively rare post war beauty that needs a little TLC.

Exterior
Bathed in Onyx Black, the first impression of this car is one of uniqueness. The grille is a beautiful mix of horizontal and vertical ribs with an art deco crown section. The company name is written in an deco era font and the emblem design with a K over a buffalo is distinctive, it will never be confused with another marque. The blunt hood, slab sides lacking any trim or features, and the flow through fenders are completely different from what the big three were doing at the time and helped with Kaiser's early success. The rounded door handles are chunky pieces with large actuator levers you can get your hand around. The chrome bumpers and dog dish hubcaps have a mirror finish and look fantastic. The shape of the split windshield is quite special, and the small tail lights are low and understated. The roofline is high, and the side windows form symmetrical bookends that anchor the design of fenders that seem to meld together with a consistent beltline. White wall tires on 15-inch wheels are fitting shoes for this post-war beauty. The paint is in great shape and the only flaws we could detect were some minor imperfections close to the rocker panel, not easy to see.

Interior
Kaiser interiors were known for their generous space, especially in the back seat. Beige cloth panels on the door are topped with a corduroy type material while a carpeted base is found at the bottom. The doors show some wear and loosening of the materials but are intact. The front split bench is covered in this ribbed material and is in nice condition as is the back bench. Headroom and legroom are indeed princely back there and passengers are tucked behind the enormous C-pillars. The Kaiser emblem appears on the steering wheel which has subtle, upturned spokes and a lower horn ring, another deviation from standard cars. The dash and steering wheel are painted champagne and the gauge cluster is a linear, black backed series of horizontal readouts for oil pressure, amperage, speed, temperature, and the fuel level. The metal grated center stack is reminiscent of a small kitchen appliance and holds the AM radio and has several bakelite switches below it. A Kaiser branded Air Conditioner heater box is below the dash on the passenger side. The floor is covered with a fitted brown rubber mat and the padded and stitched headliner shows some damage but is mostly intact. The large trunk has a fitted brown carpet mat and a white wall equipped spare tire.

Drivetrain
A 226ci L-head inline 6 cylinder engine is under the big hood and is original to the car. As noted, it does not run due to starter issues and a leaking gas tank. However, it does turn over. It is tied to a 3-speed manual transmission turning the driveshaft which meets the rear 3.73 gears. Drum brakes are found at each wheel.

Undercarriage
Minor surface rust is evident in the usual places such as leaf springs and drive shaft, but generally we are met with a clean underside. The single exhaust enters a stock style muffler and then exits via a vintage chrome exhaust pipe cover. We note some grease buildup by the wheels and suspension components and evidence of the leaking gas tank is present. Caked oil is noted on the rear differential near the input of the shaft. Coil springs are found up front while leaf springs are in the back.

With some repairs to get it running this Kaiser presents an excellent opportunity to get into something just a little bit different from most of the classics out there. Might be a great father/son project as well because in short order, you'll have a complete car the whole family can enjoy. There happens to be a national club for Kaiser Frazer owners with a registry and list of events that include national meets. Contact us today!

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

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