Stamps - USPS

[badaz06]

http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2004/sr04_056.pdf

Says it all.

Jeff

[Black396]

Yes, Collin posted something about this earlier also. I just don't understand some of those cars. [:-?]

[Ebein]

Yes, Collin posted something about this earlier also. I just don't understand some of those cars. [:-?]

Never heard of Kaiser car company. I remember Nash from that
song 'beep beep' about the nash rambler and the caddy.

[EbVette]

The Kaiser-Frazer car Company was very popular in the late 40's and early 50's. Making its debut in 1946, it was a Western Car producer. The first model was actually front wheel drive! They made most of their money during WW II building the Liberty Ships, after the war they started building more cars. They bought out Willys, and also made something called "JEEP". After about 1955 they sold out and stopped making Kaiser cars, but kept producing the Jeep until it was purchased by American Motors in the early 70's. They mainly produced family type sedans and convertibles.

They produced a sports car in 1953 and 1954 called the DARRIN, I believe only about 435 or less were produced, that gave the new Corvette a run for its money. Although considered a 1954 model, they did beat the Corvette to the public sale arena in 1953 as the first fiberglass sports car, selling its model before Corvette sold theres, so many people consider this to be the first American Sports Car. Here is a photo from Hemmings.

http://www.hemmings.com/images/carshow/11_9truew.jpg

Here is some technical info on the car:

- Body: Fiberglass construction, 184" overall length, 67 1/2" overall width, 51" overall height with the soft top up. A hardtop was made available by Dutch Darrin at a later date and a few survive, along with the mold.

- 161 cubic inch 6 cylinder Willys designed F-Head engine producing 90 hp at 4200 rpms. 5 quart oil capacity with 30-40 lbs oil pressure at 35 mph. Cooling capacity is 12 qts, 13 with heater.

- 3 speed H- pattern standard floor shift transmission with electric overdrive by Borg Warner. Transmission gear ratios are: 2.605:1 in first, 1.630:1 in second, 1.00:1 in third, 3.536:1 in reverse and 0.700:1 in overdrive, operational in all 3 forward gears. Rear axle ratio: 4.01:1 or 4.55:1 Zero to 60 times were something like 13.8 seconds, as reported in Motorsport, December 1954.

- Landau folding top, manual. From front, Landau irons curve up, then down. Side curtains, snap in style used in lieu of roll-up windows as doors are of sliding type, on nylon rollers seated in an aluminum track.

- Pincrush vinyl dash and seats. The first 50 cars used an "X" pattern seat upholstery, all others used a pleated style. Carpet is a short loop except for first 50 that used Willys style short cut pile.

- Directional signals, borrowed from the Henry J were used on all cars. Tinted and shaded windshield was standard, as were wind wings (part # 215421) and could be either glass or plastic.

- Electric windshield wipers were fitted to all cars with a windshield washer as an option, most cars were so equippped.

- Tires: 5.90x15, 2 1/4 inch white sidewall. 6.40x15 is also accepted in Kaiser Frazer Owners Club judging as 5.90x15 tires have only recently again become available.

Other standard equipment includes: Dual horns, tachometer - driven off the distributor mechanically, stainless steel wheel covers - borrowed from the Henry J, bumper guards - again borrowed from the Henry J, cigar lighter, floor tunnel ash receiver, inside rear view mirror - mounted on dash, spare tire and jack, Fram partial flow oil filter.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

- Heater, capacity: one quart, borrowed from the Henry J.

- Seat belts, driver and passenger side.

- Stainless steel wheel covers. Two types were used, the first is a "flat" style with a finned cap. The second style is a "taller" cap with a removeable center section, same as those found on concurrent Chrysler and Nash automobiles, the difference being that a plastic Darrin medallion was affixed to the center cap. Also, some dealers installed real wire wheels on the cars in an effort to move slow selling accessories.

- Exhaust deflector, flat pancake style. May or may not have a metal "K" medallion affixed.

- Outside fender mounted mirriors. Not factory installed, but dealer add ons. Acceptable for Kaiser Frazer Owners Club judging as they are considered a safety item.

- Radios were not available, but dealers did install 54 Kaiser radios and dash plates. Any cars so equipped should have the radio antenna lying in the top well, not vertically mounted on the body.

(above information from Kaiser Car Club)

I have seen several of these cars at shows and actually drove one up in NY a few months ago, although very sluggish as far a bottom end torque, the car did run smooth for such an old car.

They truely are a piece of AMERICANA Car History..... [:D]

[wazzzup]

Looks a little like the C6 [:D] Just a different color. [:p]