In 1945 California industrialist Henry J. Kaiser partnered with automobile executive Joe Frazer to respond to the American consumer's postwar demand for cars, mounting the last real American challenge to Detroit's Big Three automakers. 
They produced cars like  1949 Kaiser Vagabond, 1948 Frazer Manhattan, 1953 Kaiser Manhattan two-door sedan, the  Dragon sedans, and Henry J compact coupes as well as some modified Henry J race cars. 
The Kaiser and Frazer Manhattan series were mainstays of the company lineup.
Kaiser and Frazer automobiles were manufactured at Kaiser's Willow Run, Michigan, factory from 1946 to 1955, when declining sales forced the closing of Kaiser's domestic operations.
At that time production was moved to Argentina and Brazil, where the company turned out a series of sedans, trucks and Jeeps until the company was sold to a combine of Ford and Renault owners in the late 1960s.

"Hello, that is my 1951 Kaiser convertible shown on your web site.  I bought it last year and it needs quite a bit of help since that picture was taken.  It was originally a 1951 club coupe and was customized about forty years ago with a non retracting top but with convertible side windows and a beefed up frame.  It was a nice job and I am now gathering parts for it and hopefully it will look that nice again soon. There is another picture of it in the KFOC members roster for 2006.  Gordie Chamberlin"

And a follow up to my questions to him.

"Thanks John.  I was very surprised to see that picture and do not have a clue where or when it was taken but I am sure that it was probably at least thirty years ago and the car has been at KFOC functions for at least that many years.  I got the car from Iowa and was told that at one time when the car was almost new a tree fell on it and crushed the roof.  It was customized at that time and was being driven by the owners son who had an accident with it and damaged the LF fender and front end and it was apparently stored  for a long time and that did not do it any good but it is still a solid car and I am looking forward to putting it back in nice condition.  I would love to know more of the cars history and if anyone remembers it I would be glad to hear from them.  I know that it was once owned by Fred Walker in CO and it still has CO plates on it and I also have some pictures of the car on a used car lot in Detroit.  It must have had an interesting history.  I live in Mission Hills CA but the car is stored and will be restored in St. Joseph, MO. 
Sincerely, Gordie Chamberlin"
If any one knows any more about this car please contact me at  or Gordie at the following: gordies1@verizon.net
 

"I sectioned in a 1964 Chevy Impala SS conv top -- using the Chev bucket, glass, vent windows, back seat, trim, etc. It fit like a glove -- I shortened the top 4.5 inches. Buick 350, GM auto, Nova subframe, disc brakes
Outside it is stock KF -- including steering wheel, dash, trim, wheel covers. I have some Dragon script and prototype script I may use.
Windshield is Kaiser, chopped 1.5 inches
Color -- I am leaning to Blue Comet Met with a Ford white top.
I may use the SS front buckets and console instead of the Kaiser bench
I have a '55 K hood ornament, it is badly pitted, but have most all other trim NOS
I have hundreds of hours into the project (plus $$$$$$)"
 

You presently have another pictures of this car on your website.  This was taken many years ago on the grounds of the Brooks Stevens Auto Museum north of Milwaukee, which has since been closed.  The car however remains in the same traditional Brooks Stevens colors of a light yellow and black.  These cars are very rare and seldom traded. 

These photos were recently taken by Betty Hucker who with her husband Chuck, have the blue 51 Frazer sedan posted on your website.  Thanks for your effort to share this collection with those interested and especially all the Kaiser-Frazer nuts world wide." 

Pictures and text supplied by Eric Gordon from an article by
writer Richard Langworth in "Collectible Automobile" March 1985.

Photo by Mano Forsman 

"Several years ago, while rummaging through an old suitcase that had been lying around the attic, I came across a brochure advertising the soon to be manufactured 1953 Kaiser Darrin. This is a black and
white brochure that measures 11" X 8 1/2" folded. The front cover shows a head on view of the car and the back cover has four smaller pictures extolling the wonders of the new Darrin i.e. the sliding doors, etc. There is a small 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" fold in third page showing the car from an overhead view on the front and three smaller pictures showing the three ways the roof can be used. I have never seen another brochure like this on the web or at auto shows. Someone once told me that there was never a brochure printed for the 1953
Darrin ... they are wrong."

Gentlemen:

Approximately two months ago  I purchased from your dealer Mel Snow, Plainwell, Michigan, a 1949 Kaiser Vagabond.  This is my second Kaiser.  My first one was one of the finest automobiles I ever owned.  The present one, mainly through the indifference of Mr. Snow and his organization, (if you could call it that) is by any comparison not even a close facsimile of an automobile.

The front wheels are badly out of line, he has adjusted  them and made them worse.  I have absolutely  no power.  It takes me at least a mile to obtain a 60 mile speed.  The overdrive will not disengage.  I have been charged and have paid for a heater which he keeps stalling me on by telling me he cannot  obtain same heater to install it.

The car leaks all over since he adjusted the rubber seals.  It is necessary for me to wear a hat with a chin strap on it to keep it from being blown off.  I have averaged to date a little over 10 mile per gallon.  The fumes in the car make it impossible, even with all the air blowing in, to drive over one hour without getting a terrific headache.  If this can’t be fixed a receptacle for water and aspirin should be provided.

One of my wheel skirts fell off before 2,000 miles and was smashed.  The left front window is so misaligned the glass is cracked from the pressure necessary to roll it up or down.  I have had three exhaust gaskets on the manifold and am badly in need of the fourth.  The fan belt howls so loudly even at the slow acceleration that I get that it actually hurts my teeth.

If this is the service standard that you insist upon all of your dealers maintaining you do not have to worry about the future of the Kaiser Corp.  It would be very much appreciated if you can supply me with the address of a competent mechanic who can properly service this car, and if you would please make an effort through your source of supply on heaters to have them make just one more and ship it to Mel Snow, - if you can find some way to get the money out of him.  I don’t expect it to keep the car warm but I think maybe it will re-direct some of the drafts to keep my windshield from fogging so that I will be able to drive with my head inside the car.

Looking forward to your expedient answer and the new model jeep - because I wouldn’t expect much from that - and I can’t stand another disappointment.

       Yours very truly,

       C. E. Murphy, President
 

Dear Mr. Murphy:

We regret learning from your letter of November 4, 1949, that you have experienced any inconvenience with your car.

A report concerning the difficulties mentioned in your letter is being referred to a dealer covering the territory in which you live.  The dealer will be requested to contact you at the earliest possible time to arrange for an examination of your car and determine what service may be necessary.

We appreciate your bringing this matter to our attention as we are always anxious to do whatever we can to retain the confidence and good-will of Kaiser-Frazer car owners.
 

       Very truly yours,

       Kaiser-Frazer Sales Corporation

       R. Minnie
       Service Department
 

Dear Mr. Minnie:

 I received your promise of service for my Kaiser Vagabond but so far this promise has not seemed to make much difference in the car.  No dealer has contacted me to date to check the car.

 I paid for service to your dealer in Wakefield, Michigan.  He found the air cleaner had never had oil put in it.  Two of the spark plugs were sitting on top of gaskets which were not around the plugs.  The car had never been timed because there were not any timing marks on it.  It was 1 1/8” slow.  This was all he had time to do.

 Would it be possible for me to drive the car to Willow Run and let you see how much confidence and pride your dealer Mel Snow is distributing for you.
 

       Yours very truly,
 

       C. E. Murphy
 

Dear Mr. Murphy:

We sincerely regret learning from your letter of December 13, that your automobile has not been repaired to your satisfaction as yet.

In view of the information you have given, we should first like to point out that we do not feel that it would be necessary for you to bring your automobile to Willow Run as our field representative will be glad to go over any problems you have with your dealer and arrange for a satisfactory conclusion of them.  Therefore, we are taking the liberty of forwarding a copy of your latest communication directly to our field representative with the request that he have you contacted as soon as possible.

We appreciate your bringing this matter to our attention again and are confident that through the cooperation of the dealer, yourself and our field representative, a satisfactory  conclusion to your problems can be brought about.

       Sincerely yours

       Kaiser-Frazer Sales Corporation
 

       R. Minnie
       Service Department