| Kaiser Dragon | |
| Production: | 1953 |
| Manufacturer: | Kaiser Motors |
| Class: | Full-size |
| Layout: | FR layout |
| Engine: | 226.21NaN1 "Supersonic", 2-bbl., L-head 1180NaN0 I6 (1953) |
| Transmission: | 3-speed manual Hydramatic automatic |
| Wheelbase: | 118.50NaN0[1] |
| Length: | 211.20NaN0 |
| Width: | 740NaN0 |
The Kaiser Dragon is a car model based on the second-generation Kaiser that was manufactured by Kaiser Motors Corporation in 1953. The dragon name was first used in 1951 for a special trim option on Kaiser cars featuring vinyl upholstery claimed to resemble dragon skin.[2]
Kaiser introduced an all-new design by Howard "Dutch" Darrin for the 1951 model year with a longer, lower, and wider body featuring the lowest beltline in U.S. car production at that time.[3] Because Kaiser did not offer a V8 engine it focused marketing against the competition by introducing unique trim package for its Deluxe models in the late fall of 1950.[3] A two-page color advertisement that ran in Life was one of the ways the 1951 Kaisers were announced with their redesigned bodies and a new vinyl upholstery option.[4] The upholstery was named "Dragon skin" instead of alligator so customers would not think that it was real alligator skin.[5] The cars also featured thick carpeting.
There was also the second series of cars named for their color (i.e. Mariner Gray was called "Silver Dragon").[6] The trim was available with a padded vinyl roof, which had a different texture than the interior, and was called "Dinosaur."[3] [7] The last series came only in Tropical Green and were called "Jade Dragons".[2] This option was an extra .[8]
The dragon name was not used during the 1952 model year.
The Kaiser Dragon model was introduced on October 31, 1952, for the 1953 model year.[9] [10] This time, the Dragon was a separate model, not a trim option, positioned above the "Manhattan."[2] [9] The special upholstery and padded roof now featured a grass-patterned "Bambu" vinyl and heavy-duty Belgian linen "Laguna" cloth with overlapping patterns.[3]
Available only as four-door sedans, these cars were upscale in addition to the special trim.[2] [1] Standard equipment included Hydramatic automatic transmission, power steering, electric clock, radio with rear speaker, front and rear center armrests, numerous courtesy lamps, heater, tinted glass, 14-karat gold plated hood ornament and fender nameplates, interior trim (including a nameplate on the glove box door that was personalized with the owner's name), and padding in the glove box.[3] [2] [1] [9] The Dragon models provided for a luxury feel with "almost 2000NaN0 of insulation to quiet the ride and give it a sense of additional heft."[3] Front leg room was 45.10NaN0, with rear leg room at 39.50NaN0.[2]
Safety features were built in so Kaiser called it "the world's first safety first car"[11] [12] (even though the Tucker 48, a car known for unique features, including safety items, came out five years earlier). Among the standard features were a full padded dash and recessed instruments, an extra large and pop-out windshield, a low center of gravity, steering designed for better control as well as brakes with "more stopping power" and special lighting for better visibility at night.[13]
These cars were expensive for the time at [2] A comparable 1953 Buick Roadmaster was priced at $3,358 and came with 1880NaN0 3221NaN1 V8 compared to the Dragon's 1180NaN0 226.21NaN1 I6 engine.[1] Along with being more expensive, Dragon's 0-60 mph time was 15 seconds.[9]
A total of 1,277 were sold.[6]