1952 – Kaiser-Frazer Henry J Corsair - Lot 7

Lot 7
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Estimation :
30000 - 50000 EUR
1952 – Kaiser-Frazer Henry J Corsair - Lot 7
1952 – Kaiser-Frazer Henry J Corsair A Celebration of Moderation in the Triumphing America of the 1950s French registration title Chassis No. 12000487 Engine No. 6L161-3044764 - An alternative to large American sedans and a rare example assembled in Israel - The most advanced Corsair version, featuring the most powerful 2.6L six-cylinder engine - Purchased at auction by its current owner in the mid-1990s - Recently fully restored after a very long period of inactivity - Beautiful midnight blue metallic paint with gray upholstery featuring blue piping and blue carpet - The car is in very attractive condition, with 86,500 km on the odometer and ready to drive Find the complete catalog for the “Rétromania” auction, which includes this lot, on the Collector Cars Auction (CCA) website. The file and additional photos for each vehicle are available at the following Drive link (after requesting access): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aluJ7ZZJvUKBib-4eJDbaGH6vxu5ePC4 Introduced in 1950, the Kaiser-Frazer Henry J holds a unique place in postwar American automotive history. Designed under the leadership of Henry J. Kaiser, it was the result of a clear ambition: to offer a compact, economical, and reliable car in a market still largely dominated by large American sedans. Its design prioritized simplicity and ruggedness. It was built on a steel-spine chassis with a bolted-on body, featuring a 100-inch (2.54 m) wheelbase and a curb weight of just under one metric ton. The independent front suspension with coil springs and the rigid rear axle suspended by leaf springs offered a balance between comfort, reliability, and ease of maintenance. Braking is provided by four hydraulic drum brakes, and power is transmitted via a three-speed manual transmission, supplemented—depending on the model—by a Borg-Warner overdrive. For its powertrain, Kaiser-Frazer partnered with Willys-Overland, a manufacturer renowned for its robust engines, developed in part through its experience with military and utility vehicles. Two engines were offered: the 2.2-liter “Hurricane” four-cylinder and the 2.6-liter “Lightning” inline six-cylinder. The latter, known as the Willys 161 in the American nomenclature, was a side-valve six-cylinder engine producing approximately 80 SAE horsepower. Its simple design, generous torque, and long service life made it the preferred engine for the best-equipped models. For the 1952 model year, Kaiser-Frazer continued developing the Henry J by introducing two successive upgrades: the Henry J Vagabond, followed by the Henry J Corsair, which marked the culmination of this line before production was gradually phased out in 1954. The Henry J Vagabond was a transitional model that retained the Henry J’s original aesthetic—with its narrow grille and understated lines—while benefiting from improvements in styling and equipment. The Henry J Corsair features a modernized front end characterized by a chrome grille spanning the full width of the vehicle, as well as a more refined finish. The six-cylinder versions offer the best balance of driving pleasure, reliability, and performance within the lineup. The history of the Henry J takes on a special significance with its assembly in Israel. Under the leadership of entrepreneur Ephraim Ilin, a factory was established in Haifa to assemble several Kaiser-Frazer models using components imported from the United States. Produced in small batches, these cars were fitted with specific manufacturer plates and a numbering system unique to the Israeli production run. Today, the Henry Js assembled in Israel are among the rarest variants of Kaiser-Frazer production. They combine the appeal of an atypical American compact car from the 1950s with a unique historical testament to the early days of the Israeli automotive industry. The Kaiser-Frazer Henry J offered for sale is a 524-4 model, that is, a Corsair with a six-cylinder engine. According to available data, it is one of 8,764 units produced. It is also one of the even rarer examples assembled in Israel, as indicated by the manufacturer’s plate still affixed to the car. According to its current owner, this car was purchased at an auction in Bergerac about thirty years ago. At that time, it had been out of service for nearly twenty years. A registration plate still attached to the dashboard indicates that it previously belonged to an engineer living in Fougères. Following this acquisition, its owner undertook
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