{{short description|Automobile model produced by Kaiser Motors}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox automobile |image = File:1953 Kaiser Dragon (14384102853).jpg |caption = 1953 Jade Dragon |name = Kaiser Dragon |production = 1953 |manufacturer = Kaiser Motors |class = Full-size |body_style = 4-door sedan |layout = FR layout |engine = {{cvt|226.2|CID|L|1}} "Supersonic", 2-bbl., L-head {{cvt|118|hp|kW|0}} I6 (1953)<ref name="Flory" /> |transmission= 3-speed manual<br/> Hydramatic automatic |wheelbase = {{cvt|118.5|in|mm|0}}<ref name="howstuff">{{cite web |url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1953-kaiser-hardtop-dragon.htm |title=1953 Kaiser "Hardtop" Dragon |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |date=25 July 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200811165754/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1953-kaiser-hardtop-dragon.htm |archive-date=11 August 2020 |access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref> |length = {{cvt|211.2|in|mm|0}}<ref name="Flory"/> |width = {{cvt|74.0|in|mm|0}} |related = }}
The '''Kaiser Dragon''' is a car model based on the second-generation Kaiser manufactured by Kaiser Motors 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.<ref name="Flory">{{cite book|last=Flory, Jr. |first=J. "Kelly" |title=American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year |year=2008 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-3229-5}}</ref>
== 1951 == 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.<ref name="Conwill">{{cite magazine |last1=Conwill |first1=David |title=Moto Exotica - 1953 Kaiser Dragon |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=27 August 2024 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/moto-exotica-1953-kaiser-dragon/ |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Conwill"/> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yEsEAAAAMBAJ&q=Kaiser+Dragon&pg=PA66 |pages=66–67 |magazine=Life |title=1951 Kaiser Golden Dragon (advertisement) |via=Google Books |date=11 December 1950 |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> The upholstery was named "Dragon skin" instead of alligator so customers would not think that it was real alligator skin.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1951-1953-kaiser-dragon2.htm |title=Introduction to the 1951 and 1953 Kaiser Dragon |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |date=2 November 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200615123739/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1951-1953-kaiser-dragon2.htm |archive-date=15 June 2020 |access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref> 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").<ref name="krause">{{cite book|title=Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 |year=1982 |publisher=Krause |isbn=0-87341-027-0 |editor-last=Gunnell |editor-first=John A.}}</ref> The trim was available with a padded vinyl roof, which had a different texture than the interior, and was called "Dinosaur."<ref name="Conwill"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1951-1953-kaiser-dragon4.htm |title=The 1951 Dragon Series and Dino Vinyl |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |date=2 November 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180710164331/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1951-1953-kaiser-dragon4.htm |archive-date=10 July 2018 |access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref> The last series came only in Tropical Green and were called "Jade Dragons".<ref name="Flory"/> This option was an extra {{USD|125|year=1951}}.{{inflation-fn|US}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of American Cars |date=2006 |publisher=Publications International |isbn=978-1-4127-1354-2}}</ref>
The dragon name was not used during the 1952 model year.
== 1953 == thumb|1953 Kaiser Jade Dragon rear view The Kaiser Dragon model was introduced on 31 October 1952, for the 1953 model year.<ref name="Lyons">{{cite book |last1=Lyons| first1=Dan |title=Cars of the Fantastic '50s |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-87349-926-2}}</ref><ref name="amcars">{{cite book |last1=Genat |first1=Robert |title=American Cars of the 1950s |last2=Newhardt |first2=David |publisher=Crestline Books |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-7858-3237-9 |page=180}}</ref> This time, the Dragon was a separate model, not a trim option, positioned above the "Manhattan."<ref name="Flory"/><ref name="Lyons"/> The special upholstery and padded roof now featured a grass-patterned "Bambu" vinyl and heavy-duty Belgian linen "Laguna" cloth with overlapping patterns.<ref name="Conwill"/>
Available only as four-door sedans, these cars were upscale in addition to the special trim.<ref name="Flory"/><ref name="howstuff"/> 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.<ref name="Conwill"/><ref name="Flory"/><ref name="howstuff"/><ref name="Lyons"/> The Dragon models provided for a luxury feel with "almost {{convert|200|lb|kg|0}} of insulation to quiet the ride and give it a sense of additional heft."<ref name="Conwill"/> Front leg room was {{cvt|45.1|in|mm|0}}, with rear leg room at {{cvt|39.5|in|mm|0}}.<ref name="Flory"/> Dragons were built in three batches during 1953 with those made after about February included the wire wheels.<ref name="Shafer">{{cite web|url= https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cuarbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1953-kaiser-dragon-a-problem-is-simply-an-opportunity-in-work-clothes/ |title=Sales Lot Classic: 1953 Kaiser Dragon – A Problem Is Simply An Opportunity In Work Clothes |first=Jason |last=Shafer |date=25 February 2024 |website=curbsideclassic.com |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> The initial production included black lacquer with a black bamboo roof, but complaints about swirls in the finish of the approximately 20 black cars were made, this color option was discontinued.<ref name="Shafer"/>
Safety features were built in so Kaiser called it "the world's first safety first car".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/misc/53kai/353kai.html |title=1953 Kaiser - auto show flyer |website=lov2xlr8.no |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Presenting the world's first safety car (1953 Kaiser brochure) |url= https://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Kaiser-Frazer/1953_Kaiser/1953-Kaiser-Brochure/index.html |website=oldcarbrochures.org |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> This claim was made even though the Tucker 48, a car known for unique features, including built-in safety features, came out five years earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.audrainautomuseum.org/shining-bright/1948-tucker-model-48 |title=1948 Tucker Model 48 |website=audrainautomuseum.org |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> Among the standard Dragon 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Henry Kaiser among highway safety pioneers |url= https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/who-we-are/our-history/henry-kaiser-among-highway-safety-pioneers-2 |website=about.kaiserpermanente.org |date=8 August 2011 |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref>
These cars were expensive for the time at {{USD|3924|year=1953}}{{inflation-fn|US}}.<ref name="Flory"/> It was more than a V8-powered Cadillac Series 62.<ref name="Shafer"/> A comparable 1953 Buick Roadmaster was priced at $3,358 and came with {{cvt|188|hp|kW|0}} {{cvt|322|CID|L|1}} V8 compared to the Dragon's {{cvt|118|hp|kW|0}} {{cvt|226.2|CID|L|1}} I6 engine.<ref name="howstuff"/> Along with being more expensive, Dragon's 0-60 mph time was slower at 15 seconds.<ref name="Lyons"/> However, the Dragon achieved the best in class {{cvt|21|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp}} in the 1953 Mobil Economy Run.<ref name="Shafer"/>
A total of 1,277 Dragons were sold.<ref name="krause"/><ref name="amcars" /> The small domestic automakers were affected by the Korean War because government controls on materials prevented them from offsetting losses with military production.<ref name="Filion">{{cite web|url= https://motorcities.org/making-tracks/1950/1950-1953-the-korean-war-s-impact-on-the-automotive-industry |title=1950-1953: the Korean War’s impact on the automotive industry |first=Louise-Helene |last=Filion |work=MotorCities National Heritage Area |access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> After controls were removed in March 1953, managers at Ford wanted to out-produce Chevrolet, and a sales war among the "Big Three" (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler) to increase their market share further compounded problems for all the small automakers.<ref name="Filion"/>
==References== {{reflist}} {{Kaiser Motors}}
Category:Cars of the United States Category:Cars introduced in 1953 Category:Kaiser Motors