The 1949-1950 Kaiser DeLuxe was Kaiser's renamed upper series for these
years. It shared the 1949 facelift with the cheaper Specials, and 1949
leftovers were reserialed -- but otherwise unchanged -- for 1950.
The DeLuxe lineup included three interesting models. The Vagabond was a spiffier version of the Special Traveler. Both were sedans with a double-hatch rear end and fold-down back seat, giving Kaiser a station wagon-type model without the expense of tooling up for a separate body. The four-door convertible sedan had a counterpart in the Frazer Manhattan line. Both were literally hand-built from sedan bodies -- aided by the cutting torch -- and mounted on heavier-than-stock frames to preserve some semblance of body rigidity. The Virginian was a fixed-roof convertible with either a painted or padded vinyl top.
This trio exemplified Kaiser's innovative thinking in trying to broaden its market. Little fixed-position framed windows substituted for B-pillars on the convertible and Virginian, and both also had fixed side window frames, thus detracting from the "open-air" feeling.
Pluses of the 1949-1950 Kaiser DeLuxe:
Wheelbase, inches: 123.5 Weight, pounds: 3,341-3,726 Price, new: $2,195-3,195 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1949-1950 Kaiser DeLuxe:
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 Kaiser DeLuxe sedan. See more pictures of 1950s cars. |
The DeLuxe lineup included three interesting models. The Vagabond was a spiffier version of the Special Traveler. Both were sedans with a double-hatch rear end and fold-down back seat, giving Kaiser a station wagon-type model without the expense of tooling up for a separate body. The four-door convertible sedan had a counterpart in the Frazer Manhattan line. Both were literally hand-built from sedan bodies -- aided by the cutting torch -- and mounted on heavier-than-stock frames to preserve some semblance of body rigidity. The Virginian was a fixed-roof convertible with either a painted or padded vinyl top.
This trio exemplified Kaiser's innovative thinking in trying to broaden its market. Little fixed-position framed windows substituted for B-pillars on the convertible and Virginian, and both also had fixed side window frames, thus detracting from the "open-air" feeling.
Pluses of the 1949-1950 Kaiser DeLuxe:
- Unique body styles
- Good quality
- Lots of color inside and out
- Underpowered
- Under-braked
- Clumsy handling
- Thirstier than earlier Kaisers
- Severely rust-prone
- 4-door sedan: 38,250
- Vagabond 4-door utility sedan: 4,500
- Virginian 4-door hardtop sedan: 946
-
4-door convertible: 54
(all est.)
Wheelbase, inches: 123.5 Weight, pounds: 3,341-3,726 Price, new: $2,195-3,195 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1949-1950 Kaiser DeLuxe:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| sv I-6 | 226.2 cc | 112 | 1949-1950 |
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