Production 1953 Wheelbase 118.5 in (3,010 mm) | Layout FR Length 211.2 in (5,364 mm) | |
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Engine 226.2 CID "Supersonic", 2-bbl., L-head 118 hp (88 kW) I6 (1953) Transmission 3-speed manual
Hydra-matic Automatic | ||
The Kaiser Dragon was a trim option and later a model of car produced by the American Kaiser Motors Corporation automotive company. The name, Dragon, came from the vinyl upholstery claimed to resemble dragon skin.
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1951
In 1951, Kaisers were redesigned and offered a new vinyl upholstery. It was called "Dragon skin" instead of alligator so people would not think that it was real alligator skin. A two-page color ad ran in Life. The cars also had thick carpet. Then came the second series cars, named for their color (i.e. Mariner Gray was called "Silver Dragon") and vinyl on the roof, which had a different pattern to it than the interior, and so was called Dinosaur. The last series came only in Tropical Green and were called "Jade Dragons".
1953
After a year of no Dragons, the 1953 Kaiser Dragon was introduced on Oct. 31, 1952. This time, the Dragon was a separate model, not a trim option. These cars were upscale, and had many high-end standard features, such as an electric clock, a radio, a heater, a "Bambu" vinyl top that resembled bamboo, 14-carat gold plated hood and fender nameplates, interior trim (including a nameplate on the glove box door that was personalized with the owner's name), and hood ornament, plus power steering and padding in the glove box. They only came as four-door sedans.
Safety features were added to what was called "The world's first safety first car" (even though the Tucker 48, a car known for unique features, including safety items, came out five years earlier). Items like a full padded dash, a pop out windshield, recessed instruments, and a "safety angle seat" were standard.Front leg room was 45.1 inches (1,150 mm), with rear leg room at 39.5 inches.
Unfortunately, these cars were expensive for the time at $3,924 (a comparable 1953 Buick Roadmaster cost $3,358 and came with Buick's 188 hp 322CID V8, vs. the Dragon's 118 hp I6). Also, 0-60 mph time was a slow 15 seconds. Only 1,277 were sold.