Kaiser 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) |
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]
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.
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]
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