After World War II, Americans were absolutely chomping at the bit for a new car, and manufacturers couldn’t work fast enough to deliver them. Kaiser-Frazer introduced exciting, all-new cars in 1946, delivering the first editions in 1947, some of the first truly all-new cars built immediately after the war. Solid and dependable, Kaiser-Frazer cars were well built and actually forged a lot of new design and engineering territory. Interestingly, many compared Kaisers to more expensive Cadillacs and Continentals, seemingly a great place to be, but buyers were still smitten with better-known brands. Sales were slow, and by the late 1940s, the Big Three were closing ground fast, slowing Kaiser sales even more. Kaiser had to think of something to once again separate David from Goliath—ideas like the Kaiser Traveler, Dragon and Convertible Sedan were born through this brainstorming. Carleton Spencer, a color and fabric master for Kaiser, collaborated with House and Garden magazine to research colors and textures that appealed to women for both car and home, a very forward idea at the time, and it worked well for both the publication and the car company. Through these efforts, a number of unique colors, fabrics and textures were introduced to Kaiser customers, all astonishing the world as to what was available. The Convertible Sedan was a unique idea that wouldn’t be seen again until the 1961 Continental, and while it was a unique idea, it was a little bit of a throwback to the prewar days of Dual Cowl Phaetons and the like. Costing more than $3,000, they didn’t sell well, but they did draw people into showrooms. For 1949, only 42 Deluxe convertible sedans were said to have been built. In a unique effort, these cars would advertise their colors in scripted badges flanking the front fenders, this one reading Caribbean Coral. An AACA Grand National Senior in 2006, this 1949 Kaiser Deluxe Convertible Sedan features an older, frame-off restoration and was previously owned and maintained by a former president of the Kaiser Frazer Owners Club. Displayed at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, New York, from 2009 to 2011, it is powered by the 226 CI inline 6-cylinder engine and 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Finished in the Caribbean Coral color, the car features a complementary interior with tan leather seats and door panels, both luxuriously pleated as the factory produced them. Furthering the expensive, luxurious nature of the convertible sedan, it is also equipped with power windows, hydraulic drum brakes, full instrumentation, front and rear cigarette ash receptacles and lighters, a radio and more. Rolling on wide whitewall tires with full-size wheel covers and complete with fender skirts, the exterior is nearly as well appointed as the interior.
