1951 Kaiser Traveler Deluxe 2 Door Hatchback in Green on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

[@loucostabile]

Hi, If you like this video, please click on SUPER THANKS ❤ with the $ in the middle which is the SUPER THANKS button under the video. Thank you! Lou

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

I’ve never seen one! All that woodwork inside the back of the car…quite incredible! Thx Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bradydog, First one I've seen too. Was glad to be able to share this one with you, Lou

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Nice! I wasn't expecting to see the uniqueness of the trunk & tailgate, but you can just imagine the possibilities with it. And the green paint looks fantastic. What a great car. Thanks for finding and sharing Mr. Ruth and his Kaiser with us, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheGunfighter45acp, " I wasn't expecting to see the uniqueness of the trunk & tailgate, but you can just imagine the possibilities with it." I agree, that back end stopped me in my tracks. My pleasure sharing this one with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@OmarDenarzi]

What a brilliant automobile❤.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read "What a brilliant automobile" :-) My pleasure sharing this one with you.

[@danielbennion80]

Wow, what an impressive automobile! Thank you, gentlemen, for this feature! Years ago, my uncle had a '49 Kaiser 4 door sedan. I don't know what ever became of it. I never took an interest in it, but watching this video kindles an interest anew for them. That's an impressive car!

[@stevenhwilcox2640]

You can spot Darrin’s auto designs a mile away! They were symmetry in motion. My uncle bought a new 1951 Frazier and thoroughly enjoyed owning it. Thank you Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Uncles car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. You're welcome Steven!

[@tracymassie8605]

That's absolutely nice

[@loucostabile]

Hi Tracy, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@hooligan_56labelle22]

Great car

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read "Great car" :-)

[@leedaniels7196]

Beautiful Car!.Always been a fan of Kaiser-Frazers!.😎

[@loucostabile]

Hi Lee, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@leedaniels7196]

Just subbed!.😎

[@JeffKing310]

Very interesting Kaiser - they certainly are rare. I don’t think I have ever seen a 2 door before. The hatchback structure is certainly unique. Thanks for letting us see this classic Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff, Happy to share this "Very interesting" and rare car with you :-) I thought the hatchback was unique too. You're welcome, Lou

[@cmc6295]

Hi Lou, that's too much, haha, super cool, great, amazing😂

[@loucostabile]

Hi C MC, Happy to read "super cool, great, amazing" :-) NICE!

[@bensonsspeedshop1191]

Had a 3 door a few years ago, Neat car!!!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bensons Speedshop, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@seanhoward8025]

These actually did quite well up until 1949-50, when the rest of Detroit started to come out with their first postwar designs. The Dutch Darrin design was quite beautiful, right behind Raymond Loewy's '53 Studebaker. Darrin started in Paris as a coachwork designer and did stunning work on Packards in the 30's and 40's. Speaking of Studebaker, in '54 & '55, Kaiser actually installed the Studebaker-owned McCoulloch supercharger to the Continental 6 to try to keep up with the rest of the V8s.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Sean, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Lou

[@robgrear1142]

Deep breath! Deep breath! My head is spinning with this Kaiser! I am a Kaiser fan and this beauty is a very rare example deserving of praise and love. John, you are one blessed auto custodian. Any Kaiser is still King Of The Road!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Rob, Happy to read you appreciate the rarity of this car :-) Lou

[@aaronalter2000]

Inventive design!

[@loucostabile]

I agree.

[@jeffreymartin6369]

I’m only second this morning! 😂… what a fun car! Very unique and I love oddball little old lady cars! This is a rare one! Love his show set up with the vintage fishing gear and picnic stuff.. just a fun nice little bit of nostalgia for coffee in Dallas this morning

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeffrey, Top 2...NICE! Happy to share this "fun car" with you :-) Lou

[@chrisjeffries2322]

As a car guy, I have never ever seen one like this. Thank you, John and Lou.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I remember, that my parents briefly owned an early 1950s Kaiser Manhattan...It seemed rare, even 60 years ago!...My dad only kept that car for maybe a year--that six cyl engine kept overheating/blowing head gaskets. But it did have a very smooth, comfortable ride quality. That car, and the Studebakers from that era, looked rather similar, and really stood out, compared to the other cars from that time period.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Chris, This is the 1st one I've seen, so happy to be able to share this one with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@czechmate6916]

First time I’ve seen this particular model very versatile and cool looking.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Czech Mate, First time for me seeing one too, Lou

[@Gershwin48]

Great review. These were rarely seen in my day but I remember seeing a few running and not parked. This is a treat to see especially the trunk and window configuration. Thanks again Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi M A, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the ones you've seen :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@leroycaudill96]

A great old car Lou just beautiful memories God Bless.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Leroy, Happy to read you enjoy this "great old car" :-) Blessings received. God bless you too, Lou

[@Gas_n_Gears]

Hey, I never saw a Kaiser like that one! 😊 I always thought FM radio was more recent, but you made me look, FM actually began regular broadcasts in 1936. That's the oldest FM radio I've seen. The hood ornament is awesome.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mark, Happy to read "I never saw a Kaiser like that one!" :-) I've not seen this one before either, Lou

[@jonathan_nc]

Go back and look at the radio dial. The numbers are 55-70-85-100-120-140-160 in two rows. That's AM only. FM is 88-108. I do agree that hood ornament is awesome. I wonder if it lights up like a Pontiac?

[@j762538]

@@jonathan_nc It does not light up.

[@michaelcallahan5358]

Incredibly innovative! It’s the thought that counts!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to read "Incredibly innovative" :-) I think so too, Lou

[@keith3970]

Lou,you made my day.Mr. Kaiser had sourced Buick V8's for his cars but the factory burned down.If he could've put V8's in them Kaiser might still be around today.Keep your eyes peeled for a Frazer; that would really be something.Thanks again,just a great car.

[@loucostabile]

Keith, Happy to read "you made my day" :-) I'll look for that Frazer. You're welcome, Lou

[@oldblueshhrchannel1847]

Very cool ride, Lou. Thanks for sharing this beautiful Kaiser

[@loucostabile]

Hi Oldblue’s HHR channel, Happy to read you enjoy this "Very cool ride" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@tomblake3809]

I love the Kaiser. Thanks for posting, Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Tom, Happy to read "I love the Kaiser" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@danam0228]

I've heard of and I've seen Kaisers, but not in detail like this. Thanks, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to share this Kaiser with you. You're welcome danam0228!

[@stude2896]

A very nice presentation of an excellently preserved vehicle rare when new and never seen today. Hopefully we can look forward to future reviews for cars of this type and vintage.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Stude289, Happy to read "A very nice presentation of an excellently preserved vehicle rare when new and never seen today." :-) My pleasure sharing this car with you, Lou

[@tumbleweedtommy4626]

Lou such a cool rarely seen car. Love how the trunk opens like a hatch! So practical!

[@loucostabile]

TumbleweedTommy, Happy to read you enjoy this "cool rarely seen car" :-) "Love how the trunk opens like a hatch! So practical!" I like that too, Lou

[@AMCmachine]

Thanks for sharing another rare and remarkable example of American automotive history. Have a great holiday! 🎅🎁🎄

[@loucostabile]

Hi AMCmachine, You're welcome. Happy to read you appreciate this "rare and remarkable" car :-) Wishing you a great holiday too, Lou

[@thomasvanberg2485]

The trunk is AMAZING!!

[@loucostabile]

...I thought so too :-)

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

👋LOU,JOHN ,THANKS FOR SHARING THIS UNIQUE TRAVELER 🤗😎💚💚💚

[@loucostabile]

My pleasure sharing this one with you. You're welcome Budget Audiophile Life-long

[@Z7d3nR4]

Oh wow, Lou! Not only a Kaiser, but a Traveler 2 door with a hatch! Next you will be featuring a Henway.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Floyd, Happy to receive a "Oh wow" from you :-) My pleasure sharing this car with you, Lou

[@keith3970]

What's a Henway? Around 5 lbs.

[@Z7d3nR4]

@@keith3970 , how about a Piecost?

[@thomasvanberg2485]

WOW! Very Nice!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Thomas, Happy to receive a "WOW! Very Nice!" from you :-) Lou

[@jurigelato4366]

I admire all cars presented by you. There's not a single car that is a no no.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Juri, Happy to read you appreciate the cars I enjoy presenting to you :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@OldRustySteele]

When I was a little kid in the late ‘50’s, there was a family up the street that had a Kaiser similar to this. It was a regular sedan, not a Traveler, but was in a green color just like this one. (Green was much more popular on cars in that era). Compared to the sleeker, more modern, highly chromed cars of the late ‘50’s, I never liked the looks of the Kaisers (and similar Frasiers) back then, but they’ve grown on me now!

[@loucostabile]

Hi OldRustySteele, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the family up the street's car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@r.crompton2286]

Quite unique. Definitely made for outdoors-men. Changing a rear flat tire looks like a challenge.

[@loucostabile]

Hi R. Crompton, Happy to share this "Quite unique" car with you :-) Lou

[@j762538]

The chrome is a removable skirt.

[@r.crompton2286]

@@j762538 Thanks. I stopped the video at 1:34 and can see the faint break in the chrome a few inches toward the rear.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Wow, very innovative and cool 🥰

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to receive a "Wow" from you :-) Glad to share this "innovative and cool" car with you, Lou

[@ultraviolettp3446]

Thanks for sharing, Lou! I did not realize Kaiser made two doors in this size class. I've always seen the 4 doors.

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome ultraviolet tp! Happy to share this 2 door version with you, Lou

[@j762538]

It was a one year only car.

[@1957GoldenRocket]

C👀l car !! Thanks for sharing it !!

[@loucostabile]

Hi E L, Happy to read you appreciate this "C👀l" car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome. I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@j762538]

Thanks for taking the time to get a good video.

[@loucostabile]

Hi John, SUPER THANK YOU FOR THE SUPER THANKS! I appreciate the support, and it helps the Channel, Lou

[@motorTranz]

The Willow Run plant where these were made is where Ford built B-24 Liberators in WWII. Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi motorTranz, Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You're welcome, Lou

[@Irishfan]

Interesting car! Saw a lot of Kaisers along with Studebakers and Packers in the 50s!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Daniel, Happy to read you "Saw a lot of Kaisers along with Studebakers and Packers in the 50s!" NICE! Lou

[@Slimjim260]

Those Continental engines were great reliability run non stop all day. Lincoln electric used them in there portable Welding machines!

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for viewing and sharing.

[@MAC-ws8fz]

Studebaker and Kaiser, way ahead of time in Styling! Class! If only Kaiser had a V8, Ford would have been 'Also ran'!

[@loucostabile]

Hi MAC, Happy to read you appreciate this cars styling :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@bighank796]

Another beauty by 🍼 baby lou

[@loucostabile]

Hi Big Hank, Happy to share this "beauty" with you :-) Lou

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

Hello Lou! Now you've covered a car I never have seen many of - a 1951 Kaiser! I've never seen very many of those cars because Kaiser lasted only 10 years in the United States (aside from Jeeps prior to the takeover by AMC in the early seventies). But what really hurt the company was, in my opinion, the lack of funds to develop a V-8 engine. Kaiser simply was never able to generate enough cash for a V-8 and therefore remain competitive with the other car makers. What a shame. But Kaiser did make an attempt to one-up the other companies, as illustrated with this example. Kaiser was ahead of its time with this innovation. It would be another 20 years before hatchbacks caught on with American buyers. Kaiser might have made money with this feature. Too bad not many people saw how practical this car really was for its day. And Kaiser might have lasted longer than it did. I didn't hear of Kaiser until the early 1970s, by which time it was out of business for nearly a couple of decades. The 226-cid six cylinder engine had a long life : it powered Checker Marathons until 1964, after which time that company switched to Chevrolet sixes and V-8's. Thanks again, Lou, for another wonderful car story. And that Kaiser is something you don't see every day! Keep those stories coming!

[@loucostabile]

Hello Know Bodies Full! Happy to read "Now you've covered a car I never have seen many of - a 1951 Kaiser!" :-) First one I've seen so glad to be able to share it with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@daniellatimer1876]

The Henry Ford Museum has the 4 door version of this. I've seen one at the Ypsilanti Heritage Museum.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Daniel, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the two cars you remember :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@fredkelbert1913]

The Kaiser name sounded familiar, so I did some research. The company that built those cars was also involved in “shipbuilding” during World War Two. Because they could mass-produce ships on such a large scale, they were able to build them faster than the Germans could sink them! Thanks for sharing, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Fred, Thank you for sharing your research. My pleasure sharing this car with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@davehopping7212]

News to me about the 2-door Traveler! Never seen one before We had a 1950 Traveler when I was a little kid. Looked like a 4-door from the outside but the driver's side rear door was a non-functional dummy and the spare was vertically stored immediately inboard. A well-finished, big, comfortable car, and the "traveler" option was decades ahead of its time but that 226 ci engine was just not up to the task. Kaiser badly needed a big V-8, and I think they'd have stayed in business much longer if they could have sourced one. Alternate history buffs might have some fun with the idea of Henry having discreet talks with Packard around 1948.....

[@loucostabile]

Hi Dave, "News to me about the 2-door Traveler! Never seen one before" Me either. Happy to be able to share this one with you :-) Glad to read this car brings back memories of your family car. Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@iswc27]

Hi, Lou! And here we have another car that falls into the category of "and now for something really different"! With that curvy roof and all those Darrin dips, the 1951 Kaiser looked like nothing else on the road at the time. As you know, I'm a wagon guy, and Kaiser-Frazer, being a small independent, didn't have the resources to turn out one of its own, probably in part because they were investing in promotion of the compact Henry J, which started out reasonably well but ultimately went nowhere, so they made a sort-of wagon out of their sedans and called it the Traveler. Although I can't say for sure, I think this could have inspired the idea for the modern hatchback. BTW, one other car I know of that used Continental engines was the 1960-1964 Checker. Many thanks to you and John for showing us this unique and intriguing specimen of automobile history!

[@loucostabile]

Hi, iswc27! I know you enjoy those episodes that include ""and now for something really different"!" :-) This one has some flavor of wagon to it so I thought you'd like it. My pleasure sharing with you, and you're welcome, Lou

[@jwelchon2416]

My uncle had a 48 Kaiser. They were good solid cars but the engines did not hold up. This one is exceptionally nice. I have seen many 4-doors but never the 2-door Traveler.

[@loucostabile]

Hi JWelchon, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Uncles car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@j762538]

It was a one year only car.

[@stude2896]

This is an absolutely stunning and amazing example of a make and model virtually never presented on line. This car represents the kind of products and automotive history that should be the primary focus of your videos should you ever hopefully recover from your 413 Sport Fury maxi wedge infection. A highly interesting presentation of a unquestionably deserving product of automotive lore. A most welcome video.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Stude289, High praise.

[@loveisall5520]

Looking back now, just as with the Bricklin and DeLorean, it's a very, very tough prospect to start a car company from scratch, which makes Tesla even more remarkable. Continental did not make a lot of engines for manufacturers, because the Big Three did all their own as did Nash, Hudson, etc. Hydra-Matic was bought from GM, of course, for this car. And isn't that massive a/c unit a hoot! I think that was an evaporative cooler instead, as I see no a/c compressor underhood. A niche car with few buyers makes this beauty a real rarity.

[@loucostabile]

Hi LoveIsAll, Thanks for viewing and sharing what you notice, and for sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@mr.lincoln5154]

Nice looking light blue International pickup in the background.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing what you notice.

[@noelhastalis6785]

Nice to see another rare auto memorialized! Chrysler Corp called its bubble coupes of that era ‘Business Coupes’ - This Kaiser’s styled like a conventional 4-door sedan, but surprises us as a 2-door with its huge rear hatch. Was wondering if Kaiser Travelers also had the floor that slid out, like the late ‘40s Hudson Business Coupes had, but no. Love the indestructible looking narrow wooden planks on the bottom-hinged ‘trunk lid’!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Noel, Happy to read this "rare auto" with you :-) My pleasure sharing this car with you, Lou

[@louislepage5111]

Not many of these things left 😊

[@loucostabile]

....I'm not sure, however I believe you're right.

[@drcandor]

Straight as an arrow. The owner is one happy camper :>/ . . And with a hydramatic tranny.

[@loucostabile]

"The owner is one happy camper" NICE!

[@СергійШамін]

Який практичний автомобіль! А вікна які цікаві! Мабудь, таких залишилось не багато? Дякую!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Сергій, Happy to read "What a practical car! And the windows are interesting!" :-) I think you're right, there are not many left. You're welcome, Lou

[@daviddavis4444]

Another youtuber bought one like this at an Estate Sale and he said they were rare.

[@loucostabile]

Sounds like a fun purchase :-)

[@AMCmachine]

If you own one of these you know you're not going to see 10 like yours at every cruise night. The Darren Dip was present in the design of the Kaiser Darrin sports car too; I've been lucky enough to see one or two over the years. Those pocket doors sure were cool and unique.

[@loucostabile]

Hi AMCmachine, "If you own one of these you know you're not going to see 10 like yours at every cruise night" That is for sure. "Those pocket doors sure were cool and unique." I thought so too, Lou

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

Wow you do not see those anywhere. 915 were built that year.

[@loucostabile]

914 are missing and have left the planet.

[@sethkransberg3347]

Never. Saw this car before wow

[@loucostabile]

First one I've seen. Happy the CARetaker was willing to share. My pleasure sharing this one with you.

[@AML-FRL]

👍👍👍

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@automatedelectronics6062]

Hmmm. I wonder if it vacuums better than a Kirby?

[@loucostabile]

....not sure.

[@automatedelectronics6062]

@@loucostabile lol

[@jerryellman9950]

My dad had one, V8 push button start..3 speed manual..1951. Ahead of its time..

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jerry, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@arthurarinbjarnarson6318]

Lou the Kaiser owner is a great guy nice car i am willing to buy the car if it is for sale? Great shows as always, THANKS ARTHUR.

[@loucostabile]

Arthur, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) I'm not aware of it being for sale. If you want to make and offer, contact me @ [e-mail] and put in the subject like "Offer for the Kaiser", Lou

[@j762538]

I have thought of selling as I moved from S CA to S OR and went from many shows all year round to 6 months without any shows. It deserves to be out every month.