Kaiser

[ranwhenparked]

Interesting car, looks like a pretty clean conversion, and probably makes it pretty usable. Nothing of value lost, either, considering the stock powertrain was pretty unremarkable. Not familiar with the Executive model name though, I expect its really a Deluxe.

For those not aware, Kaiser-Frazer was the last newly established American automaker to achieve mainstream success, until Tesla (and Tesla's has already proved more sustainable). They were also considered pretty innovative in styling, being the first on the market with new, postwar designs when the Big Three were stuck with 1942 models. Kaiser popularized integrating the headlamps fully into the fenders, without the pontoon fender look, smooth slab sides, and the 3-box notchback sedan, all of which made the prewar cars look pretty old fashioned. The Big Three all took cues from them for their own new postwar models in 1949.

And, of course, they later did an early proto-hatchback with the Traveler and Vagabond, and a 4-door convertible with the Virginian.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/749317622557863/?ref=search&referral_code=undefined

[jminer]

@ranwhenparked are you counting Kaiser as successful as they kept being absorbed instead of being killed? I mean technically they bought Willys and became Kaiser - Willys which is now part of stelantis.

[ranwhenparked]

@jminer Well, they hit six figure sales (300,000 in the first 18 months or so) and peaked at 5.4% market share - they were successful for a period of time, just couldn't maintain it.

[jminer]

@ranwhenparked I'm following your logic now. For some reason I was thinking successful meant it survived to today.

[Just Jeepin']

Naw. This is a Kaiser.

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@ranwhenparked I really don't mind putting a C4 drivetrain into it. How many gears does the auto have? 5? I'm guessing it replaced a three on the tree.

[ranwhenparked]

@whoistheleader Nothing as interesting as that, its a Ford C4 automatic, which is a 3 speed, hooked up to their ubiquitous 302 V8, drivetrain could have come from any number of Ford/Mercury/Lincoln cars from the 1960s-1980s.

Stock would have been a Continental flathead straight six with maybe 100 or 110hp and the 3 speed column shift manual.

[ranwhenparked]

@just-jeepin I dunno, just looks like a Kia to me

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@ranwhenparked Well, I got that really wrong. I was hoping for at least one gear gained if you're going to do an automatic swap. Still, the drivetrain would be an upgrade in terms of power, driving dynamics, and serviceability.

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@just-jeepin In case you don't get @ranwhenparked 's Kia comment, they still will sell you a version of that vehicle brand new in the form of the KM450.

[Just Jeepin']

@whoistheleader Yep, I did a little research once upon a time to see whether there was any way to import one of those. No joy.

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@just-jeepin Sadly. They really aren't terribly expensive for what they are. Here's a cool UN livery armored troop carrier for your time.

[ranwhenparked]

@whoistheleader Its pretty understandable to assume C4 = 4 speeds, but, nope, Ford can't be that logical.