A few years ago I gave a Kaiser 1949 sedan 4dr in poor condition, really bad condition but complete. I worked on it for 800 hours, saving the body, I rebuilt the bottom perimeter, just looking pictures on the web. I stopped work to build my '30 Ford hot rod, now this is over and I want to continue with the Kaiser. I live in Italy, I think this is the only one here, does not he ever seen or heard others talk about it. Impossible to find spare parts here. My first idea was to restore... Just curious, has anyone ever seen a 1947-1950 Kaiser 4dr custom or done this... for example: closed the rear doors & stretch front, top chop, shaved...etc...
While a '51 rather than a '49 like yours have you seen our own Kaiser Dragon build here? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272171 Goes to show a Kaiser can be WAY cool, one of the most beautiful and inspirational build threads on the site... and another 4-door to boot.
Thanks! Yes, I have seen, a great work, I was thinking something like that. But since 1951 the body is different.....
Get some photos of the car and let one of the artists here do some conceptual work on it... I'm sure they could come up with something mind boggling.
Here's a link to one that was being done at Posies Rods and Customs in Hummelstown PA. I stopped there on my way home from a nascar race in Dover and saw this car in person. The guy at Posies said it was an original consept vehicle that Kaiser made. They said the 4 door was cut behind the front seat and squared off and a 30's - 40's style Hudson pick up bed was installed. The guy who bought it brought it to Posies to have it redone to what it looks like today. Its really an amazing car to see. http://www.posiesrodsandcustoms.com/customer_statements/kaiser-dash/
I always thought one of these would make a neat lo-buck sled ! I have only ever seen a couple of them and they were way beyond saving...even for me lol! If anyone can make it look cool James D can
It would make an awesome custom. You wouldn't even have to do that much. Shave the chrome, new grille and tail lights, fender skirts and some lowering and you are there. The body design itself was the lowest and sleekest of its time (1946). One significant body mod might be to lower the roof at the back. The original designer of the body was disappointed when the production model came out because they made the roof higher at the back, "ruining" the lines of the car. The company's chief engineer replied that he had no choice, he had to raise the roof in order to get adequate head room in the back seat. Besides he only raised it one inch. Might be interesting to see the car as originally envisioned with the roof tapering down at the back.
Just out of curiosity what is a 49 Kaiser doing in Italy? One other question. I heard years ago that in Italy if a car is put back on the road after being out of commission for years, you have to pay the annual license fee for every year the car was off the road. As the annual tax it quite stiff this can add up to a large sum of money, more than the car is worth in most cases. Is this true or just a rumor?
Contact the Swanks CC. The founder of the car club built a really smooth custom from that era Kaiser long ago. They should have some pictures of it that they can show you. Their logo is a silo-et of the car.
Thank you all for your interest! Sorry for my English. In door pillar it's turn signal adapted Also I have trafficator but no factory I knew Posies Kaiser... years ago I had read was a 1947... In the past, Kaiser had a base in Europe in the Netherlands. This is from there. In Italy we have so many stupid laws ...we can not modify or build cars, they are not allowed rods and customs...for title must first go to other European countries, or be outlawed...... Rusty, what you say may happen with recent car that have not paid taxes but the law only affects those who have not paid....or a maximum amount established for other procedures for new title..
How about a factory custom: 1949 Kaiser Virginian 4-door hard top, see-thru removable B-post, canvas padded roof, gorgeous palette of colors.
Alright, this was a quicky, and I certainly wouldn't choose yellow, but I used what was on the brochure cover for '49. Chop it, lower it, add skirts, eliminate the back doors and extend the fronts. Shave the handles and some chrome... I'd probably also get rid of the bumperettes on the front bumper, but that was a little tough to do with this original. I also added a chrome spear down the side to break up the volume of slab sided metal... Not bad, eh?
I don't know how to contact Swanks CC... Yes, not bad! Perhaps be inclined more to the rear window in a traditional Mercury style....
Kaisers were always cool. Somewhere in my collection I think I have both Kaiser & Frazer dealer brochures for 49-50. Good luck with yours in Italy...you deserve a lot of credit for tackling the job in the first place ! Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net PS: When I was a kid, our nextdoor neighbor bought a new '49 Frazer...it was the talk of the neighborhood !
The previous owner wanted to demolish, I do not know him but He has preferred to give me this car, free. The own since 2006, for two summers I've worked on until 2008. As soon as I can place the work done. In the past, I thought restoring.... Now I want to restart, I have to decide whether to continue on this way or custom, but first I see if I can get title here if it's custom.... With photoshop all is easy.... I ask if someone has already done to see results......
That Photoshop looks pretty good. My Dad has a 48 that is in really nice shape and drives it a lot. I've never thought much about them ever being a base for a custom though.The interior are really cool.
hell I would cut the rear doors out then bring the back up to the front doors like a coupe. using the rear part of the rear door frame on the front door.
i would like to see some custom kaisers also ... i have a 51 2dr on its way to my place today . should be here in a hour or so!!!
Here are some front end treatments, starting with stock. Then removing hood badge. Remove bumperettes. Remove center bar. Add '50 Lincoln bar. Or maybe a '50 Packard? errr....maybe not! Boca de lupo!
'50 Packard...maybe not! I prefer stock... some pics, before to start works interior...complete and very good style
The Jalopy Journal
