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Henry J. Kaiser was a man of many talents. During the Second World War, he revolutionized the way ships were built, resulting in his company, Kaiser Shipbuilding Company, producing nearly 1,500 hulls for the government using principles similar to the assembly line. After the war, he was introduced to Joseph Frazer, then president of Graham-Paige Motors. Soon after, the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation was formed.
Though the two men had a good relationship, they differed in their beliefs about the type of automobile they should produce. Kaiser wanted an economical car fitted with revolutionary advancements such as front-wheel drive. Frazer preferred a more conventional luxury machine. The front-wheel-drive system proved to be a failure and in the end, Kaiser cars were more like a plain Frazer. Both Frazer's and Kaiser's sold well in the post-war era.
By the 1950s, consumers' tastes were becoming more refined as their options become vaster. Kaiser needed something new to stimulate interest in its vehicles. Howard 'Dutch' Darrin was commissioned to draw up a modern Kaiser; he had been responsible for the original designs of the Kaisers. The result of the modern styling was the streamlined models introduced in 1951.
The vehicles introduced in 1951, the Kaiser Special Series K511 and the Kaiser Deluxe Series K512, would remain virtually unchanged through the end of the marque production in 1955. The new design allowed for more glass areas which improved safety and driving enjoyment. Both the K511 and K512 had similar styling, but the K512 was fitted with additional trim features and richer appointments as standard equipment. The two model lines were distinguished by a strip of chrome that ran around the bottom of the body.
The K512 came in a variety of body styles including the two- and four-door sedan, two- and four-door Traveler Utility sedan, and two-door club coupe. The most popular was the four-door sedan, which sold for around $2330 and saw total production reach 56,723 units. The next closed model was the two-door sedan which had only 8,888 units produced. The most exclusive was the two-door Traveler Utility Sedan, of which there were 367 units created.
Both the K512 and K511 were powered by a six-cylinder L-head engine that displaced 226.2 cubic inches and produced 115 horsepower. Both had a wheelbase of 118.5 inches; the Special had a length of 208.5 inches, while the Deluxe was slightly larger at 210.3 inches.
This particular example is in rather poor shape. It was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $3,000 - $6,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $2,200, including the buyer's premium.
There are a number of accessories on this vehicle including a Borg-Warner overdrive, a Kaiser sun visor, AM radio, directional signals, and a 'necker's Knob' on the steering wheel. The odometer reads 96,293 miles and it was last inspected in Pennsylvania in 1965.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
Though the two men had a good relationship, they differed in their beliefs about the type of automobile they should produce. Kaiser wanted an economical car fitted with revolutionary advancements such as front-wheel drive. Frazer preferred a more conventional luxury machine. The front-wheel-drive system proved to be a failure and in the end, Kaiser cars were more like a plain Frazer. Both Frazer's and Kaiser's sold well in the post-war era.
By the 1950s, consumers' tastes were becoming more refined as their options become vaster. Kaiser needed something new to stimulate interest in its vehicles. Howard 'Dutch' Darrin was commissioned to draw up a modern Kaiser; he had been responsible for the original designs of the Kaisers. The result of the modern styling was the streamlined models introduced in 1951.
The vehicles introduced in 1951, the Kaiser Special Series K511 and the Kaiser Deluxe Series K512, would remain virtually unchanged through the end of the marque production in 1955. The new design allowed for more glass areas which improved safety and driving enjoyment. Both the K511 and K512 had similar styling, but the K512 was fitted with additional trim features and richer appointments as standard equipment. The two model lines were distinguished by a strip of chrome that ran around the bottom of the body.
The K512 came in a variety of body styles including the two- and four-door sedan, two- and four-door Traveler Utility sedan, and two-door club coupe. The most popular was the four-door sedan, which sold for around $2330 and saw total production reach 56,723 units. The next closed model was the two-door sedan which had only 8,888 units produced. The most exclusive was the two-door Traveler Utility Sedan, of which there were 367 units created.
Both the K512 and K511 were powered by a six-cylinder L-head engine that displaced 226.2 cubic inches and produced 115 horsepower. Both had a wheelbase of 118.5 inches; the Special had a length of 208.5 inches, while the Deluxe was slightly larger at 210.3 inches.
This particular example is in rather poor shape. It was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $3,000 - $6,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $2,200, including the buyer's premium.
There are a number of accessories on this vehicle including a Borg-Warner overdrive, a Kaiser sun visor, AM radio, directional signals, and a 'necker's Knob' on the steering wheel. The odometer reads 96,293 miles and it was last inspected in Pennsylvania in 1965.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $3,000-USD $6,000
Sale Price :
USD $2,200
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Series K512 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Kaiser Deluxe Series K512
(Data based on Model Year 1951 sales)
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Club Chassis#: K512050900 Sold for USD$14,500 2023 Spring Carlisle | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Sold for USD$6,750 2020 GAA : November 2020 | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Golden Dragon Sedan Chassis#: K-512-B076289 Sold for USD$15,400 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Golden Dragon Sedan Chassis#: K-512-053525 Sold for USD$28,600 2018 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Sold for USD$12,500 2018 Carlisle Auction : Fall Carlisle | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Two-Door Sedan Sold for USD$15,950 2016 Auctions America : Auburn Spring | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Chassis#: 2010137 Sold for USD$6,000 2016 Leake Auction : Oklahoma City | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Sedan Sold for USD$15,500 2015 Mecum : Austin | |
1951 KAISER 512 DELUXE 4 DOOR SEDAN Chassis#: 017015 Sold for USD$9,350 2014 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Sedan 226 CI, 3-Speed Sold for USD$12,500 2013 Mecum - Kansas City | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Sedan Sold for USD$5,750 2013 Mecum Auctions - Dallas 2013 | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe 2-door Sedan Chassis#: k512053514 Sold for USD$14,040 2009 Bonhams - Bicentennial Pavilion at Hotel Murano | |
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Series K512 Sold for USD$2,200 2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey | |
1951 KAISER 512 DELUXE TUDOR Sold for USD$3,410 2001 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2001 |
Kaiser Deluxe Series K512s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Series K512's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Jade Dragon | K512053525 | 2024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |||
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Model 5120 4 Door | K512039517 | 2019 McCormick's # 67 | |||
1951 Kaiser Deluxe Sedan | 2016 Mecum : Kissimmee | $11,000 |
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1951 Kaiser Deluxe Series K512
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