1947 KAISER K100 SPECIAL 4-DOOR SEDAN 1005 – Kaiser

1947 KAISER K100 SPECIAL 4-DOOR SEDAN
1005 – Kaiser-Frazer Corporation I.D. Tags
Number produced: 65,062
Starting serial number K100 - 001001
Ending serial number K100 - 066062
Engine serial numbers continue from F50120
An early production K-100 Kaiser Special as illustrated in showroom literature. Note KAISER lettered hub caps and
SPECIAL lettering on grille. Yellow was not a production color for 1947 Kaisers.
In the spring of 1946 Kaiser-Frazer’s management came to the realization that the revolutionary K-85
Kaiser automobile still needed too much development work and could not be sold anywhere near the
target price Henry J. Kaiser set for his automotive namesake. Joseph W. Frazer suggested that a Kaiser
be produced based on the platform of the F-47 Frazer. External sheet metal dimensions between the F47 and the K-85 were the same and by cutting back just a little, the result could be a Kaiser that could
sell for a couple hundred dollars less (retail) than the Frazer. On April 30, 1946, K-F announced a new
product—the K-100 Special—would soon go into production, with the K-85 to follow later in the year (as
noted in the item on the K-85, production never took place).
The original Kaiser Special used the same drive train as the Frazer, except overdrive would not be
available. Rear axle ratios on the K-100 would be either 3.73:1 or 4.09:1 (so far, no information has
surfaced to show dealers had a choice in choosing ratios). The original dashboard instrumentation from
the K-85 program went into the K-100, which meant different oil pressure and water temperature senders
than the Frazer. Initially, only one interior trim—Striped Green Sidewall Cloth and Rosetone Beige
cloth—would be offered. The K-100 would have the word “Special” in script on the sill plates, the center
section of the grille and script style lettering on the trunk, below the individual K A I S E R lettering.
Production of the K-100 began in late June 1946, with first cars going to distributors in Los Angeles, New
York, Chicago, San Francisco and Detroit. Dealers and distributors getting the cars during the summer
did not get suggested retail prices until mid-September. At $1,650 F.O.B. Willow Run, Michigan, the K100 was priced more than $400.00 higher than the cars original target competition. In fact, even at this
point (before several price increases during the model year), a stripped-down Kaiser Special sold for just
over a price-leader Chrysler Windsor 4-door sedan, and more than the highest priced Studebaker, Nash,
Pontiac, Dodge and skirted around low-end Packard.
An early production Kaiser Special at Aaron DeRoy Company, K-F distributors in Detroit. “Special” script location
on front sill plate is identified by dark area midway on the sill towards the front of the front seat. “Special” script on
the deck lid is dark area just above license place and below the K A I S E R lettering.
By the end of 1946, over 7,000 of the Kaiser Specials were built, and a number of them were already in
retail customer hands. For the most part, customer feedback was fantastic, the most common complaint
being that the car cost far more than Henry Kaiser’s published boast from early in the year…it was the
first time a Kaiser project ever came out above projected price. However, car hungry Americans took to
the vehicle perhaps in part because of Kaiser’s reputation. It was also by the end of 1946 that the K-85,
originally touted as a companion to the Special, was all but forgotten by the public and just faded into
oblivion.
As the model year progressed, the model-specific trim details disappeared from the Kaiser Special,
starting with the “Special” script on the trunk (at approximately S/N 4,625). By the time the 10,000th
Kaiser came off the line, “Special” script was also gone from the sill plates. Somewhere prior to car
#22,000, the “Special” in the center of the grille area also disappeared. It was not long after this that the
fuel pump moved from the back of the engine block’s side to the front area, and in August, the single
stage pump was replaced with a vacuum boost (two stage) version to help beef up the performance of
the wipers (which ran off a vacuum motor), as part of the car’s Accessory Group.
It was also in August that the factory officially announced a second interior trim combination for the car.
The cloth remained the same, but interior paint was expanded, adding Cloud Taupe finish to the existing
Willow Green color. These would be the only two trims available for a 1947 Kaiser Special. Another
August 1947 enhancement to the Frazer—Whitewall Tires—would not make it to the Kaiser’s option list.
Another casualty was directional signals, although they continued to be part of the standard equipment
list for the Frazer.
Chicago K-F dealer George Lutz congratulates the lady who was his first retail delivery in the fall of 1946
Fall 1947 saw perhaps the greatest publicity coup for the new Kaiser automobile. Already established as
an automotive journalist of stature, Floyd Clymer went to Detroit in June and purchased a new Kaiser
Special “off the lot” and drove it back to his Los Angeles home. Clymer raved about the riding comfort,
fuel economy and overall performance. During the trip, he set a timed record for the drive across
Kansas, and set a new record for the time required of a 4-door family sedan to climb Pikes Peak. Mrs.
Clymer made her journalistic debut in Floyd’s “Report on Kaiser and Frazer Cars” indicating that from a
woman’s point of view, the new Kaiser—first product of a totally new car company with no ties to the big
3—was a wonderful automobile. Henry Kaiser and Joe Frazer were so impressed with the report that
Kaiser-Frazer contracted with Floyd Clymer to print special editions of the report with a dealer privilege
panel (space for dealer name and other info) on the back cover@.
At the time the first Kaiser K100 Specials left the production line, Kaiser-Frazer’s order bank for the
model held over 400,000 firm dealer or distributor orders for the car. On December 1, 1947 production of
the 1948 model year Kaiser Special began, after 65, 062 1947’s were produced. Little did the company
suspect that in a matter of weeks, most orders in the bank were not valid when it came time to provide
delivery.
It should be noted that the first production 1947 Kaiser Special may still exist! According to an item in the
factory’s tabloid publications (for employees or for dealers) the first Kaiser was purchased by a company
employee from Kaiser-Frazer’s “surplus store”. In the fall of 1948, K-F swapped the owner even up, his
1947 Kaiser Special for a new 1949 Kaiser Deluxe 4-door sedan. The car may have been crated up in
1953 and moved to a storage building at the Willys complex in Toledo where it may await discovery
during the tear down of the original Willys-Overland manufacturing plant…something going on as this is
being written.
Kaiser Special dashboards were painted Sandtone Beige with green plastics on inserts and horn button. Note the
round shift lever knob; the shape of the knobs was changed later in the model year. This illustration from
showroom literature does not show the optional heater/defroster. A horn ring was added later in the model year
along with a slightly different type steering wheel.
PAINT AND TRIM.
PAINT
TRIM
Paint Color
Paint Name
Trim #
701
Onyx Black
550 121
Onyx Black
550 121
Trim Name
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
702
Speedwing Gray
550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
703
Airway Blue
550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
704
Turf Green
550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
705
Crystal Green
550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
707
Buckeye Maroon
550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
709
Lambswool Cream 550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
Note: This block of colors was identified in K-F/G-P Service Bulletin #2, 6/5/46; trim #550 was only
Kaiser interior trim type offered at this time. No further reference to these paint numbers appear in K-F
factory documents
781
101
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
782
191
Maroon sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone
Beige
Plastics
&
Buckeye
Maroon/Sandtone Beige interior paint
783
111
Airway Blue
103
Blue sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone
Beige
Plastics
&
Broadcast
Blue/Sandtone Beige interior paint
784
122
Turf Green
550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
785
131
Crystal Green
550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
787
151
Buckeye Maroon
105
Maroon sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone
Beige
Plastics
&
Buckeye
Maroon/Sandtone Beige interior paint
789
141
Lambswool Cream 550 121
Green sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone Beige Plastics & Willow Green/Sandtone
Beige interior paint
789
141
Lambswool Cream 103
Blue sidewall & Rosetone Beige Cloth with
Sandtone
Beige
Plastics
&
Broadcast
Blue/Sandtone Beige interior paint
Note: These colors were identified in various Confidential Bulletins issued by Kaiser-Frazer Sales
Corporation over the period March 1 – November 30, 1947. During the summer of 1947, Kaiser-Frazer
changed production paint numbers to “100-“series numbers
PAINT
Paint Color
751
752
753
754
755
757
759
Speedwing Gray
105
TRIM
Paint Name
Trim #
Onyx Black
Speedwing Gray
Airway Blue
Turf Green
Crystal Green
Buckeye Maroon (cardinal)
Lambswool Cream
Trim Name
Note: This block of color numbers is listed as used on K-100 models in Service Bulletin #115:
Confidential Bulletins on file do not list trim numbers for this block. Any trim information listed is based
on details for this model in Version 3 of KFOCI HANDBOOK.
1947 Kaiser Special interior layout, from 1946 issued showroom catalog, showing the 550/121 type trim package.
WHEEL COLOR
Wheel Color is the same as body color paint with one exception. #344 Turf Green has Crystal Green
wheels.
WHEEL COLOR STRIPE:
Silver - #’s 341, 343, 347 & 354
Emblem Blue - # 353
Cabaret Green - #’s 344 & 345
Emblem Red - # 358
Buckeye Maroon - # 342
Alpine Rust - #’s 349, 356 & 357
ACCESSORY GROUP:
During the Kaiser-Frazer portion of the 1947 model year, minor changes were made to Accessory Group
items:
Accessory Group #1 – 3/31/47 to 8/11/47
Accessory Group #1 – Balance of Model Year
Cigar Lighter – Front
Bumper Guards – Front and Rear (2 each)
Replacement Element Oil Filter
Heavy Duty Air Cleaner
Storage Tank for Vacuum Windshield Wipers
Spare Tire & Tube mounted on Spare Wheel
License Plate Holder Guards
Cigar Lighter - Front
Bumper Guards – 4 in Front and 2 at Rear
Replacement Element Oil Filter
Heavy Duty Air Cleaner
Vacuum Booster Fuel Pump
Spare Tire & Tube mounted on Space Wheel
License Plate Holder Guards
FACTORY INSTALLABLE OPTIONS
Besides the Accessory Group, there were no factory installable items on the K-100 Kaiser Special for
dealer order unless the car was to be delivered retail at the factory. Accessory items were dealer or
distributor installed at additional cost.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Original Tire Size – 6.50 x 15 4-ply, supplied by Goodyear
Transmission: 3-speed manual, no overdrive, supplied by Borg-Warner
Fuel Tank Capacity – 21 gallons
Rear Axle: 3.73:1, 4.09:1 or 4.27:1
Engine – 226.5 cubic Inch L-head 6, 100 bhp from Continental Engines or Detroit Engine Division
6-Volt, Positive Ground Electrical System, Auto-Lite
Compression Ratio: 6.83:1 or 7.3:1
123.5 Inch Wheelbase, 203 inch Overall Length
Frame – Box Girder with cross members
Front Suspension-Monroe Shock Absorbers inside Coil Springs
Rear Suspension – Monroe Shock Absorbers and Semi-Elliptic Springs
RUNNING CHANGES
These items changed on the 1947 K-100 during the model run. Serial Number or engine # identifies
when the change took effect unless noted.
Vacuum Booster Fuel Pump – S/N 033135
Carter WI 674S Carburetor S/N 051361
Vibration Damper Timing Marks- Engine #17160
Hardware Change-Front Stabilizer – S/N 008657
Discontinue Rear Sway Eliminator Bar – S/N 035294
Carter WA1 610S start to S/N 001277
Change Exhaust Pipe Clamp & Hanger – S/N 036337
Carter WA1 622S S/N 001277 to S/N 051361
Change in Fuel Tank design- S/N 001312
Air Cleaner Support Bracket – S/N 001044
Fan Belt & Pulley – S/N 001410
Clutch Pedal Assist Spring Anchor– S/N 001835
Propeller Shaft Center Bearing Support – S/N 001104
Front Suspension Upper Arm Pivot–S/N 001604
Hand Brake Cable & Lever – S/N 002350
Change in Oil Pan design – Engine # 45269
Oil pressure gage – 0-60 or 0-80++
Carter WA1 622SA carburetor after S/N 001277++
Throttle Control – S/N 0017455
Accelerator Pedal – S/N 0017455
Accelerator Bell Crank parts – S/N 0017455
Fuel Tank Filler Tube – S/N 001345
Radiator Grille**- S/N 024327
Horn Relay – S/N 023110
Steering Wheel & Horn Pad – S/N 005120
Clutch Release Bearing – S/N 018989
Clutch Pedal Shaft – S/N 005905
Rear Spring Bumper – S/N 009051
Steering Gear Dash Panel Cover & Seal – S/N 012197
Brake Tee’s (several) – S/N 007452
Front Shock Absorber Support – S/N 001604
Front Fender Brace – S/N 017540
Dust Pan Brackets right & left – S/N 005860
Hood, hinges & props – S/N 011654
Underbody Rear Shield – S/N 010337
Rear Compartment Lid–Body #008302 (first)
Rear Compartment Lid – Body # 018460 (second)
Rear Compartment Hinges – Same breaks as Lid
Rear Compartment Handle – same breaks as lid
Front doors –left & right – Body # 18165
Front Door Locking Handle – Body # 1082 (first)
Front Door Locking Handle – Body # 1082 mix
Front Door Locking Handle – Body # 11654 (third)
Rear Doors – same cut points as front doors
Rear Door Locking Handle – Same points as Fronts
Ventilator Windows–front & rear –Body #20073
Windshield Garnish Molding – Body # 21272
Front seat track adjuster Guides – Body # 16041
Front Floor Mat – Body # 17455
Dome light switch – Body # 10501
Rear Compartment License Lamp Cable/Socket – S/N 008302
Scuff Plates – Body # 13985**
Radiator and Shroud – S/N 49071
New type Hood Hinges – S/N 033153
I
Instrument Board Name Plate) Body # 31296
Rear mounted fuel pump is not the same P/N as the single stage pump mounted at the front of the block
Tail Pipe Bracket & Hardware – S/N 060589
Ignition switch – S/N 065372
Horn Wiring Harness – S/N 046044
Steering Drag Link – S/N 019988
New Instrument Cluster – Body # 36446
Three Piece bumpers use 4 bumper guards – One Piece uses only 2 guards
**”Special” name on this item removed
++item has no cut point; they were mixed during production
SPECIAL NOTE: There are also numerous changes to hardware items and other parts that were mixed
during production. It is strongly recommended that owners of this vehicle type not only acquire the April
1948 Illustrated Combined Chassis and Body Parts list, but also the Parts Lists dated 11/1/46, 6/1/47 and
the addendum dated 11/1/47
PRICES - Retail
Base Car, F.O.B. Willow Run
Federal Excise Tax
Retail Delivery Prep
Accessory Group*
9/46-First Price
$1,645.00
$ 88.48
$ 25.00
(1)
4/1/47
$1,868.00
$ 101.78
$ 25.00
$ 69.43
8/13/47
$1,967.00
$ 115.64
$ 25.00
$ 69.43
10/1/47
$1,967.00
$ 115.64
$ 25.00
$ 79.96
Notes:
(1) Not offered at this date
*Price includes applicable Federal Excise Tax
Notes on Prices:
Dealers were charged $10.00 a car for advertising, $5.00 deposit on the Retail Delivery Report Card &
$15.00 for Wholesale Inspection & Preparation. These prices were often passed on to retail purchasers.
@ Astute enthusiasts familiar with the document may have noted a text revision between Clymer’s
regular report) & the version offered by Kaiser-Frazer dealers. The regular report talks about Clymer
visiting Muntz Motor Car Company in Los Angeles. In the K-F version, this reference does not exist.
Late production 1947 Kaiser Special with dealer installed whitewall tires. Note 4 bumper guards on the front
bumper