Kaiser Dragon
The Kaiser Dragon was a trim option and later a model of car produced by the American Kaiser Motors Corporation automotive company. The name, Dragon, came from the vinyl upholstery claimed to resemble dragon skin.[1]
| Kaiser Dragon | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Production | 1953 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | FR |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 226.2 CID "Supersonic", 2-bbl., L-head 118 hp (88 kW) I6 (1953)[1] |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual Hydra-matic Automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 118.5 in (3,010 mm) [2] |
| Length | 211.2 in (5,364 mm) [1] |
| Width | 74.0 in (1,880 mm) |
1951
In 1951, Kaisers were redesigned and offered a new vinyl upholstery. It was called "Dragon skin" instead of alligator so people would not think that it was real alligator skin.[3] A two-page color ad ran in Life.[4] The cars also had thick carpet. Then came the second series cars, named for their color (i.e. Mariner Gray was called "Silver Dragon")[5] and vinyl on the roof, which had a different pattern to it than the interior, and so was called Dinosaur.[6] The last series came only in Tropical Green and were called "Jade Dragons".[1]
1953
After a year of no Dragons, the 1953 Kaiser Dragon was introduced on Oct. 31, 1952.[7] This time, the Dragon was a separate model, not a trim option.[1][7] These cars were upscale, and had many high-end standard features, such as an electric clock, a radio,[1] a heater, a "Bambu" vinyl top that resembled bamboo, 14-carat gold plated hood and fender nameplates, interior trim (including a nameplate on the glove box door that was personalized with the owner's name),[2][7] and hood ornament, plus power steering[1] and padding in the glove box. They only came as four-door sedans.[1][2]
Safety features were added to what was called "The world's first safety first car"[8] (even though the Tucker 48, a car know for unique features, including safety items, came out five years earlier). Items like a full padded dash, a pop out windshield, recessed instruments, and a "safety angle seat" were standard.[9]Front leg room was 45.1 inches (1,150 mm), with rear leg room at 39.5 inches.[1]
Unfortunately, these cars were expensive for the time at $3,924[1] (a comparable 1953 Buick Roadmaster cost $3,358 and came with Buick's 188 hp 322CID V8, vs. the Dragon's 118 hp[2] I6). Also, 0-60 mph time was a slow 15 seconds.[7] Only 1,277 were sold.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
- ^ a b c d the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (2007-07-25). "HowStuffWorks "1953 Kaiser"". Auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (2007-11-02). "HowStuffWorks "The Creation of Dragon Vinyl and Golden Dragons"". Auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ LIFE - Google Books. Books.google.com. 1950-12-11. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ a b Gunnell, John A. (ed.). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. krause
publications. ISBN 0-87341-027-0.
{{cite book}}: line feed character in|publisher=at position 7 (help) - ^ the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (2007-11-02). "HowStuffWorks "The 1951 Dragon Series and Dino Vinyl"". Auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c d Cars of the Fantastic '50s - Daniel Lyons - Google Books. Books.google.com. 2005-11-18. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-01
- ^ http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-04