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
Overview
Production 1953
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 known 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
  2. 1 2 3 4 the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (2007-07-25). "HowStuffWorks "1953 Kaiser"". Auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ LIFE - Google Books. Books.google.com. 1950-12-11. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  5. 1 2 Gunnell, John A. (ed.). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-027-0. line feed character in |publisher= at position 7 (help)
  6. ↑ the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (2007-11-02). "HowStuffWorks "The 1951 Dragon Series and Dino Vinyl"". Auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Cars of the Fantastic '50s - Daniel Lyons - Google Books. Books.google.com. 2005-11-18. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
  9. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
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