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1951 Kaiser Frazer Henry J, 513 Series

On loan from: Lester Becker, Exeter, NE

Original cost: $1,219.00

Number made: 37,363 (1951)

Engine, etc.: 68 hp; 134.2 cu. in.; 4-cyl.; 3- speed manual transmission; 100 in. wheelbase; 2,293 lbs.

This car was named for company president Henry J. Kaiser and was his attempt to mass produce an affordable car for the people. It was introduced in early 1950 as America’s second postwar compact car and helped stabilize the Kaiser-Frazer company’s shaky finances for a short time.

The Henry J Standard was intended for the bottom end of the market. The company also produced the Henry J DeLuxe which was very similar except for engine size. The DeLuxe, 514 Series, had a 161 cu. in. engine with 6 cylinders.

What the car sacrificed in engine power was made up for in fuel economy – 35 mpg when driven conservatively. The engine was underpowered but reliable.

The Henry J had very few options. There was no trunk lid but the back seat folded down to reveal an extra 51 cubic feet of cargo space.

The Henry J was a highly functional small sedan but was considered an “ugly” vehicle. Dutch Darrin, a designer, originally proposed something impressive like his 1951 Kaiser and removed eighteen inches from a 1951 Kaiser club coupe for a proposed design. Management instead chose the ungainly 1951 – 54 styling from a Kaiser-Frazer supplier.

Kaiser borrowed $69 million from the Reconstruction Finance Corp. in 1949 to fulfill his promise of a new car that American could afford. About $12 million of the loan was for development of the new compact which promised sturdiness and low operating cost. Unfortunately, it was only slightly less expensive than a full-size Ford or Chevy.

Great plans were made for production of a convertible and hardtop coupe based on the two-door style. The plans never reached the assembly line. The market was satisfied with the car and sales peaked at 80,000 in 1951. By 1954, however, sales had plummeted to 1,123 and the model was dropped.

The car was often modified for drag racers.

Sources: http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z16297/Kaiser-Frazer-Henry-J.aspx
http://www.howstuffworks.com/1951-henry-j-standard.htm
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=4867&year=1951&model=26962
http://uniquecarsandparts.com/lost_marques_kaiser.htm (Company history)

See also:  http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Kaiser-Frazer/1951_Kaiser-Frazer/1951_Henry_J_Brochure/dirindex.html  (Original dealer brochure)

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1930 Lincoln LeBaron Convertible Roadster, Model L

Original cost: $6,900.00

Previous owner: In 1996 owner was from Omaha, NE

Number made: 100 approx., with LeBaron coachwork

Engine, etc.: 8 cyl.; 90 hp; L-head; 3 speed; Model 185; 136 in. wheelbase

The Lincoln Motor Company was founded in 1917 by Henry M. Leland to produce Liberty Aero engines during World War I.

Leland, one of the founders of Cadillac, left Cadillac during the First World War to form the Lincoln Motor Company. He left Cadillac due to a disagreement with General Motors boss William C. Durant. When Leland left, he was 74 years old, and chose the name Lincoln after the president he had voted for in 1864.

The first Lincoln model, the Model L, was produced from 1921 to 1930. It was comparable in size and price to a Cadillac but had a larger, more powerful engine. Leland ‘s forte was not design and the car suffered from a stogy appearance and bad economic times. Leland sold out to Henry Ford in 1922.

The Lincoln was refined with the styling genius of Edsel Ford who created designs that would make Lincoln one of the premier motor cars in the world. Lincoln was well established as a premier luxury car maker by 1930. It produced vehicles equal to the finest in the world.

At a price of between $4,600 and $6,600, these cars were available only to wealthy society in 1930. The price almost equaled annual incomes and was comparable to that of a Cadillac at the time.

Four-wheel mechanical drum brakes were introduced on this model along with worm and roller-type steering which gave more precise steering and considerably improved overall handling. Top speed was around 80 mph, with 0 to 30 mile per hour time of 5.2 seconds and fuel consumption of 12 miles/gal.

Special features include a rumble seat, and a golf club door. The car also has a Seth Thomas clock on the dash, dual interior mirrors on the windshield, and vacuum-powered windshield wipers.

Like the Phaeton, the spare tire is covered.

Edsel Ford selected, and the Gorham Foundry made, the iconic greyhound hood ornament, first used on the Lincoln Towncar in 1929.

Source: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805 -1942. Beverly Rae Kimes, et al. 3rd ed. Krause Publications, 1996.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z12075/Lincoln-Model-L.aspx

http://classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=838&year=1930&model=12460

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1947 Mercury Coupe, Series 79M, Model 72

On loan from: Yvonne Deyle Barth and the late Jim Barth, Kearney, NE

Original cost: $1,449.00

Number made: 29,284

Engine, etc.: V-8; 100 hp; 239 cu. in.; 118 in. wheelbase; 3,281 lbs.

The 1947 – 1949 Mercurys changed little which wasn’t surprising given it was a seller’s market at the time. In fact, the 1947 models, introduced in February, 1947, were identical to the 1946’s. In April, the “Spring Models” for 1947 were introduced and distinguished by the stainless strip that ran along both sides of the hood.

The upper grill frame was chrome, trunk lid trim and bumper guards were slightly revised, and the hood ornament lost its red stripes. Hubcaps were redesigned and given black lettering with white accents. Ten new exterior colors were available.

The biggest change was price which increased $150 from the 1946 models.

Model year production was 86,383 units for all models.

Performance was improved over the previous models but the trip odometer was eliminated and weather stripping and interior door trim was used sparingly.

The engine of the 1947 Mercury remained the same with only a change to the rear axle. This meant slightly faster acceleration, superior hill climbing ability, but a higher revving engine at cruising speeds. The engine was the same as the 1947 Ford. One review said the top cruising speed was a little less than before, but there was nothing else at a similar price that beat the Fords and Mercurys.

The Mercury advertising campaign implied that the Mercury was a very different car from the Ford – but it really wasn’t. An ad proclaimed, “More of everything you want with Mercury,” but the truth was that, beginning in 1946, it didn’t even have a horsepower advantage over Ford. The ads promised endless happiness on the open road with an emphasis on style, performance, beauty, and comfort. The biggest “more”, however, was the price paid to have a Mercury name and grille on a Ford.

Sources: http://www.howstuffworks.com/1941-1948-mercury5.htm
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=4628&year=1947&model=27177
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15267/Mercury-Series-79M.aspx
http://uniquecarsandparts.com/heritage_mercury.htm  (History)

See also:  http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Mercury/1947%20Mercury/index.html  (Original 1947 dealer’s brochure)