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== 1953 ==
== 1953 ==
After a year of no Dragons, the 1953 Kaiser Dragon was introduced on Oct. 31, 1952.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=cZZ21G08u-AC&pg=PA39&lpg=PA39&dq=Kaiser+dragon+car#v=onepage&q=Kaiser%20dragon%20car&f=false |title=Cars of the Fantastic '50s - Daniel Lyons - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date=2005-11-18 |accessdate=2012-06-01|isbn=0873499263 }}</ref> This time, the Dragon was a separate model, not a trim option.<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref name=autogenerated1 /> These cars were upscale, and had many high-end standard features, such as an electric clock, a radio,<ref name=autogenerated3 /> a heater, a "Bambu" vinyl top that resembled [[bamboo]], 14-[[Carat (purity)|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),<ref name=autogenerated2 /><ref name=autogenerated1 /> and hood ornament, plus power steering<ref name=autogenerated3 /> and padding in the glove box. They only came as four-door sedans.<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref name=autogenerated2 />
After a year of no Dragons, the 1953 Kaiser Dragon was introduced on Oct. 31, 1952.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=cZZ21G08u-AC&pg=PA39&lpg=PA39&dq=Kaiser+dragon+car#v=onepage&q=Kaiser%20dragon%20car&f=false |title=Cars of the Fantastic '50s - Daniel Lyons - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date=2005-11-18 |accessdate=2012-06-01|isbn=0873499263 }}</ref> This time, the Dragon was a separate model, not a trim option.<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref name=autogenerated1 /> These cars were upscale, and had many high-end standard features, such as an electric clock, a radio,<ref name=autogenerated3 /> a heater, a "Bambu" vinyl top that resembled [[bamboo]], 14-[[Carat (purity)|karat]] gold plated hood and fender nameplates, interior trim (including a nameplate on the glove box door that was personalized with the owner's name),<ref name=autogenerated2 /><ref name=autogenerated1 /> and hood ornament, plus power steering<ref name=autogenerated3 /> and padding in the glove box. They only came as four-door sedans.<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref name=autogenerated2 />


Safety features were added to what was called "The world's first safety first car"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-01 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-05-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701135410/http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-01 |archivedate=2016-07-01 |df= }}</ref> (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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-04 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-05-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701152346/http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-04 |archivedate=2016-07-01 |df= }}</ref>Front leg room was {{convert|45.1|in|mm}}, with rear leg room at 39.5 inches.<ref name=autogenerated3 />
Safety features were added to what was called "The world's first safety first car"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-01 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-05-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701135410/http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-01 |archivedate=2016-07-01 |df= }}</ref> (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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-04 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-05-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701152346/http://oldcarbrochures.org/New-Brochures---May/1953-Kaiser-Foldout/1953-Kaiser-Foldout-04 |archivedate=2016-07-01 |df= }}</ref>Front leg room was {{convert|45.1|in|mm}}, with rear leg room at 39.5 inches.<ref name=autogenerated3 />

Revision as of 00:59, 28 February 2019

The Kaiser Dragon was a trim option and later a model of car produced by the American Kaiser Motors Corporation. The name, Dragon, came from the vinyl upholstery claimed to resemble dragon skin.[1]

Kaiser Dragon
A 1953 Kaiser Dragon at the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum in 2013
Overview
Production1953
Body and chassis
LayoutFR
Powertrain
Engine226.2 CID "Supersonic", 2-bbl., L-head 118 hp (88 kW) I6 (1953)[1]
Transmission3-speed manual
Hydra-matic Automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase118.5 in (3,010 mm) [2]
Length211.2 in (5,364 mm) [1]
Width74.0 in (1,880 mm)

1951

In 1951, Kaisers were redesigned and offered a new vinyl upholstery option 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] This option cost $125.[7]

1953

After a year of no Dragons, the 1953 Kaiser Dragon was introduced on Oct. 31, 1952.[8] This time, the Dragon was a separate model, not a trim option.[1][8] 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-karat 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][8] 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"[9] (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.[10]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). Along with the expense, 0-60 mph time was a slow 15 seconds (which was slower than a Buick Super).[8][11] Only 1,277 ended up being sold.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
  2. ^ a b c d the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (2007-07-25). "HowStuffWorks "1953 Kaiser"". Auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2012-06-01. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  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. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ LIFE - Google Books. Books.google.com. 1950-12-11. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  5. ^ a b Gunnell, John A. (ed.). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-027-0.
  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. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Encyclopedia of American Cars. Publications International, Ltd. 2006. ISBN 1-4127-1354-4.
  8. ^ a b c d Cars of the Fantastic '50s - Daniel Lyons - Google Books. Books.google.com. 2005-11-18. ISBN 0873499263. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-05-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-05-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=mdwDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
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