1948 Kaiser Special This 1948 Kaiser-Frazer Special is a well-presented classic with distinct style and a great history. So when you want a classic that loves to stand out, you're going to want to know more about this sedan. Dutch Darrin was responsible for some of the most elegant post-war designs, and he was Kaiser's man for this project. So while Ford was still re-vamping its pre-war lines in '48, the upper class was getting something as curvaceous as this. Darrin had spent years in Europe coachbuilding cars, and so you can really see a craftsman's eye in the details, like the gentle curve of the front fenders, the perpendicular line in the grille, and a sloping rear end that looks like a French car. And the reason why you can see it all so well on this example is because it has been exceptionally preserved. It's a three-owner vehicle, and the first one had it for six decades! Plus, we have thousands $$$$ in receipts documenting investments in maintenance from the last few years. The result is a classic that looks well-respected. The black paint was re-done about halfway through life, and it retains a deep gloss today. So you get an older-style application that many people will mistake for factory, and at the same time, it loves to radiate in the sunlight. And everything from the fit of the doors, to the windshield sunshade, give this the look of an authentic cut-above classic. Inside is more of that well-respected authenticity. You have two rows of wide bench seats. They are covered in the classic striped cloth pattern, so you have plenty of room to share the vintage car experience with everyone. And this really gets the classic details right, from the ash trays in every door, to the heater under the dash. There's no mistaking the steering wheel for anything but the correct-style unit, and so you'll love slipping behind it and feeling the history that has been smoothly/slowly worn into it. The receipt file shows plenty of investment in the engine bay, but you already understood that from the first time you spotted it. This is believed to be the original 226 cubic-inch inline-six. It has an almost time capsule-like appearance with fresh block paint, fresh hoses, and crisp details. And it all is quite authentic, right down to oil bath air cleaner. This one feels confident going down the road, and the column-mounted three-speed manual transmission gives you full control and a classic feeling with every shift. The sale comes complete with the owner's manual and the maintenance records. History, style, and distinction all are coming together for an affordable price. |