auto.wikisort.org - Automobile

The Kaiser Dragon is a car model based on the a 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]

Kaiser Dragon
1953 Jade Dragon
Overview
Manufacturer	Kaiser Motors
Production	1953
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	226.2 cu in (3.7 L) "Supersonic", 2-bbl., L-head 118 hp (88 kW) I6 (1953)[1]
Transmission	3-speed manual Hydramatic 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

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 ad 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 a second series 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 $1,305 in 2021)[8].[9]

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

1953

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 inches.[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, 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 $39,743 in 2021)[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

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