OUTSTANDING POST WAR CAR, 1949 FRAZER MANHATTAN

KAISER-FRAZER CORP. WAS FOUNDED IN JULY OF 1945. BOTH CARS, KAISERS AND FRAZERS, WERE PRODUCED AT THE FORMER WILLOW RUN BOMBER FACTORY NEAR DETROIT. FRAZIERS INITIALLY WERE A 4 DOOR SEDAN THAT BROUGHT TO THE PUBLIC ONE OF THE LARGEST INTERIOR PASSENGER SPACE. FRAZER'S POWERPLANTS WERE A 6 CYL. ENGINE, AN OFFSPRING FROM CONTINENTAL INDUSTRIAL ENGINES. THESE ENGINES WERE A 226 CID, 115 BHP. TRANNYS WERE 3 SPD. MANUALS WITH NO AUTOMATICS OFFERED TILL '51. THE WHEELBASE IS 123.5 INCHES. THE DESIGN OF THE FRAZER WAS A REFRESHING DESIGN COMPARED TO OTHER CAR PRODUCERS HAVING NO SIDE TRIM TO SPEAK, SLAB SIDES, AND A MODEST GRILL. BY 1949 FRAZER SALES WERE DISAPPOINTING WITH ONLY 10,183 BUILT. CONVERTIBLE MODELS ONLY SOLD 70 UNITS AND THE MANHATTAN SEDAN WAS STILL THE MAINSTAY COSTING $ 2,595. FRAZERS WERE 18TH PLACE IN SALES FOR 1949 -KAISERS IN 16TH. VIEW THIS EXCELLENT AND RARE FRAZER WITH IT'S HUGE AND LUXURIOUS PASSENGER CABIN. THERE ARE VENT WINDOWS FRONT AND BACK AND BOTH FRONT AND BACK SEATS HAVE FOLD-DOWN ARM RESTS. THE DASH IS DAZZLING WITH IT'S CHROME TRIM AND DUAL OPTIONAL SPOTLIGHT. THIS JEWEL FINISHED IN BLADE GREEN POLY OVER OCEAN SPRAY GREEN POLY IS A ATTRACTIVE 2-TONE COMBINATION. FRAZERS AND KAISERS WERE A GREAT RESPONSE TO THE POST-WAR CRAVING FOR PRIVATE AUTOMOBILES AND THIS '49 FRAZER IS A GREAT AND RARE RESTORATION OF A GREAT BUT BRIEF CAR MAKE.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Car
• show
• 013

[MrRJDB1969]

I have a 1947 Frazer that I've had for well over 20 years and wouldn't trade it for the world. Great cars.

[55lincoln]

@MrRJDB1969 No doubt you love it for having it that long. These truly were excellent and well built cars and I love 'em too. Thanks so much for sharing and enjoying this particular Frazer.

[raconter1]

Hey, Warren! Beautiful restoration! These had outstanding interiors, with fabrics that were far ahead of more pedestrian cars. The major problem here seemed to be cost (equivalent of a

Cadillac) and the lack of an OHV 8 powerplant. A lesser cost and a more potent engine would have made them more competitive. The lack of an automatic would eventually force them to buy GM's hydramatics..another competitive disadvantage. Great vid! :) Jack

[55lincoln]

I agree completely. Great interiors but lack of a V8, no automatic of their own. But other car makers would also purchase automatics from GM until they developed their own. Quite a car for sure.

[49Frazerwill]

55lincoln, I have a 49 Frazer Manhattan I'm restoring now. Can you tell me where you saw this one? I've been told there are only a few hundred of the 49-50's left.

Great video, thanks for showing it.

[55lincoln]

Thanks for viewing. This Frazer was recorded at a car show in St. Charles, MO. I believe that the owner lives in the metro St. Louis region.

[raconter1]

Unfortunately Kaiser spent lots of money developing and trying to sell the HenryJ /Allstate..

(we had a 1952 model). That money could have much more profitably been used to develop the V8 first, then an automatic for Kaiser. The merger with Willys had produced 4 series of Willys cars..as it stood, they were competitors to the Henry J of the same corporation! So, like a house of cards, it all folded. A waste of potential, and some cool Darrin styling! :) Jack

[55lincoln]

You are right. The independent car makers produced some outstanding vehicles. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for viewing.

[historybuffish]

What a rare post-war car. Not enough credit goes to the independent car makers: Studebaker, Nash, Packard, Hudson, and Kaiser-Frazer. Well done!

[55lincoln]

Always thank you for your kind comments. Kaisers and Frazer are indeed rare and I was lucky to see this one.