KAISER DELUXE CLUB COUPE
Year of manufacture 1951 Recorded mileage 99,000 Asking price £13,995 Vendor Justin Banks Ltd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent; 07794 576886; justinbanks.com
WHEN IT WAS NEW Price $2059 Max power 115bhp Max torque 193lb ft 0-60mph 17.5 secs Top speed 94mph Mpg 15 (est)
There is always a certain thrill to seeing a classic and initially having no idea what it is, then delving into its history. Especially when it looks as sensational as this, and when it is the product of a long-forgotten marque. Because while ‘Kaiser’ has an undeniably Teutonic ring to it, this was a brand from Michigan in the USA, as you might have guessed from this car’s styling. More than 150 automobile manufacturers operated in the United States in 1921, which gives you an idea of the wealth of rarities out there.
Cars from defunct brands always possess a certain mystique. Add into the mix the fact that, according to its Kent-based vendor Justin Banks, this is one of just 18 survivors of this model left in the world, and it is fair to say you’re unlikely to arrive at a meet to find someone else in a similar car.
The dealer is open about the fact that this Kaiser is in far from standard fettle – although those arresting lines will help you forgive it most things. Rather than the straight-six with which it rolled out of the factory, it is now powered by a later V6, which is thought to be a Buick unit, mated to a threespeed automatic transmission. This drivetrain is said to suit the car and, according to the firm’s Matt Landers, it “starts and drives great”.
“We believe the interior is probably not original,” he adds. “We think it’s been retrimmed.” Still, the cabin’s colour-coordinated, two-tone green-and-cream finish, in what appears to be velour, suits the car, looks to be in good order and we suspect it’s pretty comfortable, too. The bonnet mascot – clearly dating from a time before pedestrian protection became a consideration – is pleasingly space-age in design, the Cape Verde Green paint has a wonderful, deep lustre, and there is chrome aplenty. That emphasises a feature which, to me, is always a winner: fenders (if you’ll forgive the Americanism) that partially cover the back wheels. Too cool. As are the shapes of the front and rear windscreens (or should that be windshields?), which both have a slight dip in the centre. I’ve no idea why and I don’t care: these distinctive features surely added to production costs in period, but today appeal for their quirkiness.
All of this for less than £15,000. Okay, it isn’t super-original and parts supply is likely to be limited, but everywhere you go you’ll be turning heads and have a story to tell. And, being left-hand drive, it is ready for long, lazy European road trips – it even looks to have a decent-sized trunk (sorry).