Highlights

Reputedly one of only 18 such cars still in existence
Power steering conversion
Extensive mechanical work completed in 2015 and 2019
First registered in Britain in October 2021
Believed never to have been exhibited in Britain

The Appeal

American cars of the 1950s looked phenomenal, but there have always been critics who complained that they were just about style over substance. That’s a matter for debate, but the industry did produce one or two mavericks whose intelligent, outside-the-box thinking resulted in cars which were brilliant but ultimately unsuccessful.

Independently, Henry J. Kaiser had experimented with designs for super-cheap plastic cars and front-wheel drive. When he joined with Jospeh W. Frazer in July 1945 to form Kaiser-Frazer, he was final able to make his ideas a reality, although his more radical plans had to be abandoned. When Kaiser-Frazer production started in 1947 (Kaiser and Frazer were separate but nearly identical cars, and Frazers were the more expensive and luxurious of the two), its cars were the most modern one could buy. The jelly-mould styling set a template for all future car bodies.

For 1951, Kaiser offered all kinds of features not available on other cars, from unusual paint colours, a bubble-top providing 700 sq. in. more glass than its nearest competitor, and a lower waistline than any rival until 1956. Kaiser was unique with its emphasis on safety; special features included a padded dash, superb visibility and a windscreen designed to pop out in an accident.

With its handsome, tastefully-restrained styling which looked more European than American, innovative features and smooth engine, it was a great car but it didn’t suit American tastes, and Kaiser-Frazer production ended in 1955. This represents a special opportunity to acquire one of the most attractive models, the 1951 Club Coupe, in beautiful, ready-to-use condition. Of an estimated 6000 1951 Club Coupes built, it is believed only 18 survive, and this one is almost certainly unique in Britain. If you’re after something a little different, what could be better?

The History and Paperwork

History traceable to 2009, when the Kaiser was owned by Mr. Lyman Cox Dye of Ucon, Idaho
Sold to Mr. Wayne Graefen of Kerrville, Texas, in 2015
Extensive mechanical work completed during Mr. Graefen’s ownership
Imported into Britain in 2021 by a collector and first registered in October
Since being imported, the Kaiser has seen very little use
Paperwork includes the car’s first V5, an American Certificate of Title, four invoices from 2019 for parts and labour, and lots of facsimile copies of period Kaiser literature

The Interior

Attractive and unusual dark emerald green
Very good, presentable condition
Custom-made to a unique specification

Opening the door into this Kaiser reveals an interior typical of the class and elegance which American cars of the late ’40s and early ’50s embodied, an effect made all the more impressive by the fact that the interior is, in part, custom-made.

Most, if not all, 1951 Kaisers featured a front bench seat, whereas this has two separate seats, almost as big and soft as armchairs, with a pair of central armrests. Despite seemingly being non-original, they nevertheless look quite at home. The cream leather with flecked emerald cloth matches the exterior paint very nicely, and certainly looks correct for the period.

While we can’t say exactly when the interior might have been renovated, we should think it was not all that long ago as the leather does not really show much evidence of age besides a few light creases. Moreover, the cloth inserts are in very good condition as are the matching carpets. There are some fairly insignificant marks or stains in places, but they do not show up obviously and by no means do they spoil what, to us, is a very elegant custom interior.

The door cards are also in a lovely condition and, again, very attractively designed by the customiser, with the divider echoing the distinctive vee-shape of the windscreen.

The Summit Racing steering column and Lecarra Mk. 10 steering wheel, along with the gear lever and indicator stalk, are perhaps more obviously modern, the small size of the wheel and the logo in the centre being the giveaway, but this modification will probably have been necessary for the car’s conversion to power steering, and it still simulates a period look.

The recessed speedometer (a distinctive Kaiser safety feature) is original, as are the radio and the attractive clock mounted on the passenger side of the dash. Importantly, safety-conscious Kaiser’s early padded dash surface is in very good condition.

We would point out that the glovebox does not close all that easily, but this is a minor fault which you may tinker with at your leisure. While the Kaiser has lost its original rear-view mirror, a modern replacement is contained within the glovebox.

The boot is clean and tidy inside, although the carpet has become slightly discoloured in places, and there is a spare wheel in good condition.

The Exterior

Cape Verde Green believed to be the original colour
Appears to wear an older restoration
Attractive wire wheel covers

Among other things, Kaisers were known for offering cars in a wide range of unusual but highly attractive colours at a time when other manufacturers were still standing by fairly plain and sober hues. Cape Verde Green was just such a beautiful colour, which we are told was original to this car.

The general appearance of the car suggests an older repaint, as the colour is still wonderfully vibrant, but a few minor blemishes such as some small scratches and chips may be seen in places. Some sections were touched-up in 2019, and the nose-end of the wings and bonnet were repainted. Around the sills, we are pleased to say that the car looks to be all nice and solid, but there is perhaps some scope for cosmetic tidy-up from the perfectionist’s viewpoint.

The use of chrome was tasteful and extremely restrained for an American car of this period, which really does lend it an elegant and more European appearance. Again, we suspect the chrome may have been redone in the past, as it boasts a very high shine but with a light patina now appearing. There is a very limited amount of pitting in a couple of areas, but in most places it still looks nearly-new.

The wheels look to be in lovely condition, and are very nicely set off by an appropriate set of whitewall tyres. They are radial rather than cross-ply tyres, but still look correct while providing better road-holding.

We think the chrome wire wheel covers are a very attractive, glamorous touch. Although they are modern aftermarket items, it was common for manufacturers to offer wire-wheel covers as dress-up options in the 1950s and ’60s, and they really do look good on the Kaiser.

Now, before you move on, do just take a minute to appreciate that splendid ‘atomic space ray’ bonnet mascot…

The Mechanics

Steers as easily as a modern car with power steering
Carburettor rebuilt, new fuel pump fitted and extensively rewired in 2016
Narrowed rear axle
Passed 2021 MoT with no advisories

American cars of the 1950s were really in quite a different league from British cars, and the Kaiser is no exception. The original 3.7L engine was replaced by a more modern 3.8-litre V6 Buick engine (itself fairly unusual in a country where most manufacturers were transitioning from straight-sixes to V8s) is beautifully smooth and powerful, though not overly large by American standards, and the automatic gearbox lets the car be driven as effortlessly as a magic carpet.

As far as we know, there is just one minor fault to correct. The ignition switch does not spring back when the engine fires, so it must be done manually or the starter motor will keep spinning. This is by no means a difficult problem to live with, but you will probably wish to resolve it if you are to use the car regularly.

Although there is nothing to show which gear you are in, the column-change is still very easy to use and should come naturally to anyone who has driven one before. It pulls away with total smoothness and stops most efficiently. What’s more, with its recent power steering conversion, you don’t suffer from the pitfalls of heavy steering or difficulty manoeuvring in tight spaces. You wouldn’t think a big, 70-year-old car could be so easy to live with but, believe us, this is as docile and obliging as they come.

We will quickly summarise the major work completed between 2015 and 2019:

New front wheel cylinders purchased in 2015
Carburettor rebuilt in 2016
New fuel pump, timing chain and gears, and general service parts in 2016
Instrument cluster and all lights rewired in 2016
Rear axle narrowed in 2019
Hole in fuel tank repaired in 2019

After the Kaiser arrived in Britain, it was MoTed in April 2021, some months before it was registered, and it passed with no advisories. While the MoT has now expired, we don’t expect any problems would be detected if it were to be tested again.

The Summary

Kaisers are revered by enthusiasts as one of the rarest and most individualistic of America’s post-war cars. Although often overlooked today in favour of more typically American chrome-laden cruisers, they were excellent machines which probably failed only because they had an unfamiliar name.

This lovely Deluxe Club Coupe is almost certainly unique in Britain, and is a highly presentable and well-maintained example which is ready to use and enjoy. While there may be some scope for cosmetic improvement in the long term, its rarity alone will make it a welcome addition to any classic car show, especially the Pre-’50 American Auto Club’s Rally of the Giants. You probably won’t see another Kaiser for sale in Britain, so bid while you can.

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