Kaiser Dragon
1953 Jade Dragon
Overview
ManufacturerKaiser Motors
Production1953
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine226.2 cu in (3.7 L) "Supersonic", 2-bbl., L-head 118 hp (88 kW) I6 (1953)[1]
Transmission3-speed manual
Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase118.5 in (3,010 mm)[2]
Length211.2 in (5,364 mm)[1]
Width74.0 in (1,880 mm)

The Kaiser Dragon is a car model based on the second-generation Kaiser that was manufactured by Kaiser Motors Corporation in 1953. The dragon name was first used in 1951 for a special trim option on Kaiser cars featuring vinyl upholstery claimed to resemble dragon skin.[1]

1951

Kaiser introduced an all-new design by Howard "Dutch" Darrin for the 1951 model year with a longer, lower, and wider body featuring the lowest beltline in U.S. car production at that time.[3] Because Kaiser did not offer a V8 engine it focused marketing against the competition by introducing unique trim package for its Deluxe models in the late fall of 1950.[3] A two-page color advertisement that ran in Life was one of the ways the 1951 Kaisers were announced with their redesigned bodies and a new vinyl upholstery option.[4] The upholstery was named "Dragon skin" instead of alligator so customers would not think that it was real alligator skin.[5] The cars also featured thick carpeting.

There was also the second series of cars named for their color (i.e. Mariner Gray was called "Silver Dragon").[6] The trim was available with a padded vinyl roof, which had a different texture than the interior, and was called "Dinosaur."[3][7] The last series came only in Tropical Green and were called "Jade Dragons".[1] This option was an extra US$125 (equivalent to $1,409 in 2022)[8].[9]

The dragon name was not used during the 1952 model year.

1953

1953 Kaiser Jade Dragon rear view

The Kaiser Dragon model was introduced on October 31, 1952, for the 1953 model year.[10][11] This time, the Dragon was a separate model, not a trim option, positioned above the "Manhattan.".[1][10] The special upholstery and padded roof now featured a grass-patterned "Bambu" vinyl and heavy-duty Belgian linen "Laguna" cloth with overlapping patterns.[3]

Available only as four-door sedans, these cars were upscale in addition to the special trim.[1][2] Standard equipment included Hydramatic automatic transmission, power steering, electric clock, radio with rear speaker, front and rear center armrests, numerous courtesy lamps, heater, tinted glass, 14-karat gold plated hood ornament and fender nameplates, interior trim (including a nameplate on the glove box door that was personalized with the owner's name), and padding in the glove box.[3][1][2][10] The Dragon models provided for a luxury feel with "almost 200 pounds (91 kilograms) of insulation to quiet the ride and give it a sense of additional heft."[3] Front leg room was 45.1 in (1,146 mm), with rear leg room at 39.5 in (1,003 mm).[1]

Safety features were built in so Kaiser called it "the world's first safety first car"[12][13] (even though the Tucker 48, a car known for unique features, including safety items, came out five years earlier). Among the standard features were a full padded dash and recessed instruments, an extra large and pop-out windshield, a low center of gravity, steering designed for better control as well as brakes with "more stopping power" and special lighting for better visibility at night.[14]

These cars were expensive for the time at US$3,924 (equivalent to $42,920 in 2022)[8][1] A comparable 1953 Buick Roadmaster was priced at $3,358 and came with 188 hp (140 kW) 322 cu in (5.3 L) V8 compared to the Dragon's 118 hp (88 kW) 226.2 cu in (3.7 L) I6 engine.[2] Along with being more expensive, Dragon's 0-60 mph time was 15 seconds.[10]

A total of 1,277 were sold.[6][11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
  2. ^ a b c d "1953 Kaiser "Hardtop" Dragon". How Stuff Works. 25 July 2007. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Conwill, David (May 2017). "Moto Exotica - 1953 Kaiser Dragon". Hemmings Classic Car. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  4. ^ "1951 Kaiser Golden Dragon". Life. 11 December 1950. pp. 66–67. Retrieved 16 May 2022 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Introduction to the 1951 and 1953 Kaiser Dragon". How Stuff Works. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  6. ^ a b Gunnell, John A., ed. (1982). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-027-0.
  7. ^ "The 1951 Dragon Series and Dino Vinyl". How Stuff Works. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  9. ^ Encyclopedia of American Cars. Publications International. 2006. ISBN 978-1-4127-1354-2.
  10. ^ a b c d Lyons, Dan (2005). Cars of the Fantastic '50s. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87349-926-2.
  11. ^ a b Genat, Robert; Newhardt, David (2015). American Cars of the 1950s. Crestline Books. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-7858-3237-9.
  12. ^ "1953 Kaiser - auto show flyer". lov2xlr8.no. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  13. ^ McCourt, Mark J. (5 August 2015). "Safety First: 1953 Kaiser brochure". Hemmings. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Henry Kaiser among highway safety pioneers". about.kaiserpermanente.org. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
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