Down The Hatch

Kaiser-Fraser arrived in 1947 to help fill demand for new cars in post-WWII America. One of their most innovative offerings was the hatchback-equipped 1949-‘53 Kaiser Traveler / 1951 Fraser Vagabond. But was America ready for these innovative offerings? And why is the left rear door sealed shut? Steve explains…

[@jamesparks3504]

I'm amazed to see an old fashioned junkyard in the trees still around. I spent hours and hours exploring old semi-closed down junkyards in the 60's. Lots of WW2 surplus stuff mingled in amongst everything else you could possibly imagine. Nothing like the aroma of old cars and conifers on a Summer afternoon... 😎🔧

[@denisedeon3336]

love seeing these odd cars. may they never be forgotten

[@simonedwards5070]

Thank you Steve, i’m British and have owned many cars and restored many also but you make learning about US cars i don’t know about fantastically interesting, i really think you’re doing a great job, you really like what you do it’s great

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello Simon Edwards, HELLO to Britain, home of some of my favorite music...the Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Oasis, Supergrass, and of course, Cream, Beatles, Yardbirds, who, etc. Oh yeah, and the Stones (pre-1980 please). I spent a semester at the University of Stirling in Scotland in 1985 and actually talked a buddy into taking me to a Scottish junkyard. I was shocked to see fairly recent BMW's, Rovers and Mercedes Benzes being scrapped! In the states, these cars were "mini royalty" and never turned up in junkyards - unless crashed hard. Anyhoo, THANKS for watching and Hello Britain! -Steve Magnante

[@leegeiger7140]

Excellent find! Very handy for travelling salespeople. One downside, was they rattled a lot.

[@markchandler90]

I owned an excellent original 1951 Frazer sedan for about 12 years. The Frazer DID offer a checked cloth on the Vagabond. K-F also manufactured the Continental 226 motor. The only 1951 Frazer automatics that have ever been found were the hardtops and convertibles.

[@deanmoore1752]

My dad had both a hardtop and convertible 51 Manhattans. Both hydramatics.

[@gman77gas]

My dad bought a new 1974 Hornet X hatchback. 6 cyl. Not a lot a room for back seating but when you dropped the seat back and opened the hatch you could really haul stuff.

[@robertclark9]

Those Continental sixes were bulletproof. They used them in construction equipment like air compressors, generators, pumps, etc....If you kept clean oil in them they ran forever.

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

My Dad rebuilt the 4 cylinder in his 40s Lincoln Continental welder in '81...Still had the cast iron pistons...

[@davezul4396]

Reminiscent of those ‘67-‘72 3 door Suburbans. Thanks again Steve for yet another stroll down memory lane!

[@rosseganjr9402]

what a great find! I wish they all could be saved! I like the independent car makers the best!

[@idontcare3013]

Love these videos. Steve is teaching us more than we will ever remember. Keep it up, Mags!

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

What can I say; I love being in the junkyard/classroom when Mr. Magnante's at the helm!

[@rickrinke1443]

My uncle owned a Kaiser/Jeep dealership so I still love those cars!

[@sombra6153]

My granddad was driving a late 40s Frazier on the 60s. Had leather interior. I appreciated the simplicity of the Continental six banger. Had several Kaiser & Frazier parts cars. I do not remember the hatch, however. I recall that before my time, he had acquired one with a six cylinder 2 bbl that in his opinion drank too much gas. Ironically, he traded it for a 1940 Caddy limo.

[@jean-pierreborsanyi1783]

I learn everyday with these great videos , Thank you so much Steve

[@UberLummox]

Crazy man! Not even one week ago I just found an earlirer Kaiser hidden in the woods for decades. Here in Portland Maine about 15 years ago a guy brought a '48-'50 Kaiser "hatchback" selling veggies at our local outdoor veggie mkt. every week.

[@marauder600]

My uncle bought a Henry J new in northern Minnesota back in the day. Ordered it and it was delivered to the Montgomery Wards in Grand Rapids. He said it was great on gas!

[@afterhourshotrods6882]

Of course it was great on gas!!!!! Gas was 15¢ a gallon then!!!?! Lol

[@jimmyfleetwood1118]

Are you sure it was to Montgonery Wards? For 53/4 Sears sold them under the name "Allstate" (and badged as Allstate). Right about the gas mileage--I have my grandfather's, and the family who drove it then said the same thing.

[@jimmyfleetwood1118]

@@afterhourshotrods6882 What does cost V mileage have to do with anything? MPGs are MPGs!

[@marauder600]

@@jimmyfleetwood1118 you're right it was the sears! Couldn't clearly remember it was so long ago he told me that story. I asked about it because it was so funny looking. The thing sat out behind his lumber mill and pretty much turned to dust by the 90s as I recall. Right next to his 62 international scout. Thanks for jogging my memory!

[@jimmyfleetwood1118]

@@marauder600 Glad to help. I'm pleased to say I see ours (a 1951) everyday. Yep, funny looking! I tell people they look like a Koala bear.

[@davebarron5939]

Man Steve, you regularly bring stuff to light I have never heard of, great stuff. Thanks again.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Dave Barron, if you liked the Frazer Vagabond hatchback, you'll appreciate another often forgotten American hatchback featured in a video coming up in a day or so. Could it be a Nova? THANKS for watching and please stay tuned! -Steve Magnante

[@stevehenderson2571]

Get well Steve. We miss you buddy.

[@BareRoseGarage]

About 10yrs ago one of these popped up for sale for $800 and I regret talking myself out of it. Body wise, it was in good shape, interior was there but needed redone, but it didn't run, and no telling if the transmission worked.

[@cabbyhubby]

Those Continental engines were put in just about anything, i like them.

[@muddywater6856]

Even tractors 😀

[@wreckerjonny6144]

That's an interesting salvage yard. Not many left

[@jeffroth1731]

I had an uncle that was a Kaiser-Fraser dealer, he got stuck with a few cars when KF went out of business. Including a Henry J. My cousins turned it into a hot rod, which they ended up crashing into a multiple new jeeps at a jeep dealership.

[@seed_drill7135]

Of course Jeep was owned by Kaiser until 1971.

[@missygosnell6170]

Ironical

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

One thing I didn't know about these cars was the fake driver's rear door and spare combo. Always some jewel Steve teaches us on this channel!

[@popeyeman69]

Great video of a very unusual car my friend! I'm not sure a car with a rear door that doesn't open would fly these days, says a lot for modern times. Junkyards smell like home :)

[@seed_drill7135]

Kaiser's big mistake was using it's limited development dollars on the Henry J instead of developing a V8.

[@allegory7638]

LOL, that's what I was thinking while watching the video, then found your comment.

[@t.s.racing]

If you find a decent Henry J up there, I'm on my way with the trailer.

[@HollywoodGraham]

Fraser was a Graham Co. who last produced cars in 1941. Kaiser eventually bought out Graham's interest in car making. A Jr. high friend used to deliver newspapers from the back of his mom's Fraser with her driving.

[@thomasdeir6212]

Amazing Steve!

[@pamwilson1653]

Steve what a concept, lost junkyards, kind of on the lines of lost speedways, as a young kid growing up in Granby and agawam mass I remember several old yards , one was across the connetecut river just east of Holyoke I remember with my father and uncle searching that yard I was 8 or 9, I'm sure it's gone now but it was one hell of an impressionable experience.

[@marktimberlake4493]

Chicopee yards very close to Ct river

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve

[@totalyep]

Amazing to learn all the unique stuff about this car. Thanks.

[@Sleeperdude]

Good information very interesting

[@louissimonetti8548]

I had a 74 Plymouth Duster that was a hatchback. I took out the slant six, and put in a 340.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

My brother back in the early 1980's had a 1974 Duster hatch which I think had the 360 in it. Nice car. Wish he still had it.

[@LongIslandMopars]

That must have been very cool. I remember the dealer brochures that advertised them but never saw one out in the wild.

[@louissimonetti8548]

@@LongIslandMopars yeah, it was brown with a white interior and a white stripe on each side. And the rear seat folded down. I bought it from my neighbor, because my 72 Duster 340 was totalled in front of my house.

[@louissimonetti8548]

@@unclemarksdiyauto yes this was around 1982. I had a 72 Duster 340, that was totalled in front of my house. I bought that car from my neighbor and took the drive train from the 72 and put it in the 74. The things you could do when you're 17.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

@@louissimonetti8548 You bet! Did a tranny swap on my moms 75 dodge coronet 4dr. Torque converter sprung a leak & I thought it was the trans seal. Had that trans out 3 times the same day. Finally figured it out. Just did it with a floor jack and a few simple tools. (Around 1987)

[@stircrazyone7929]

Many old farm tractors used continental engines also.

[@jasonz7788]

Thanks for the great work

[@kwikslvr73]

WOW! Did not know that !! Great Steve

[@oops1952]

Very interesting video. Who knows what happened to that bell housing?? .....But it does call to mind how much valuable stuff gets wrecked by some who only care about "their" parts Thanks Steve

[@rustedratchetgarage6788]

Id say a clutch dump went very bad

[@oops1952]

@@rustedratchetgarage6788 Thanks Rusted

[@dewreckdeberjack9618]

Pretty safe to block off the street side passenger door. A lot of people die hopping out getting hit by traffic. More common back then even. 👍

[@rupe53]

I was told that was the main reason to go 3 on the tree. IOW, the driver could more easily slide out the curbside without the floor shifter in the way.

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Interesting find

[@tedned8430]

You forgot about the Chevy Vega 1971 hatchback.My dad and I both worked at GM Lordstown ,Ohio he work in assembly plant I worked as tool & diemaker at stamping plant in fact until the late 90’s the putter hatchback stamping die sat out back yard all rusted up til they had a clean up day and scraped it.

[@peterdaniel66]

The same people who think you actually find the magazines in the cars are the same ones who are still looking for the Atom car...

[@ktm42080]

That's cool! Off topic, my 73 Gold Duster and 73 Dart Sport had fold down back seats, very convenient for loading stuff.

[@Bob0sModelFabWorx]

Ok. I'm convinced now! Steve is not of this world! How he knows what obscure magazine to look at and find a small, nondescript article to highlite a car that almost no one has ever heard of is something beyond our best capabilities!

[@SteveMagnante]

Thanks Bob-O's Model Fab Worx, it's funny, to me it's like: "Doesn't everyone have the April, 1951 issue of Motor Trend magazine? What's the big deal?" The fact is, I've been collecting car magazines for the last 45 years and have come to have a sixth sense on what issues I'll find articles focused on cars I feature in these Junkyard Crawl videos. I'm guessing there are "others like me" but at any rate, THANK YOU for watching and "getting it"! -Steve Magnante

[@Bob0sModelFabWorx]

@@SteveMagnante. I really enjoy these junkyard crawls because I'm learning something new every time. So thank you! I guess it's time for some police car updates, right?

[@61rampy65]

@@SteveMagnante I feel so inadequate. My magazine collection only goes back to about 1961. And it's mostly C/D, with some M/T, Car Life, Motor Life, and a few other brands.

[@BVA5485]

Please do a video on the green IH truck, looks pretty cool 🧐

[@ironhorsethrottlemaster5202]

Steve please do me a huge favor do your next video on that international box truck behind you the old school International I would really appreciate that thank you old Internationals are badass

[@thaddeushoffman230]

I was going through the comments to say this exactly.... Show us that truck, Steve!!

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

50s USA must have been a time to live . What possibility the future.

[@Offthbadan]

I went by a spooky old plant a few years ago and the smoke stack said Continental. I googled it and learned of the engine. But this is an interesting car to say the least.

[@smartysmarty1714]

Was that on Highway 100 in Milwaukee by chance ?

[@Offthbadan]

@@smartysmarty1714 This plant was in Detroit. I believe somebody explored it on KZbin. Detroit has a lot of old smoke stack and buildings still standing 100 years later.

[@Mercmad]

If a snake bit you when looking at the traveller, you could go to a Kaiser Permanente Hospital... same guy. And it looks like someone exploded the clutch doing a burnout,maybe.

[@timstone3441]

Man Steve I don’t know how you do it but these videos are awesome. The auto industry did amazing stuff way back when. Things people think are newer actually started years ago. Keep it going. Love your videos.

[@terra2805]

Such original, rare cars just left to rot in a junkyard somewhere. There's something so tragic about that. :(

[@jamesmisener3006]

Gee Steve that Junkyard is Gold! Gold Jerry! Cheers 🇨🇦

[@eugenepolan1750]

Some more well-known models were the Kaiser Rolls, which make for great sandwich bread.

[@jimmyfleetwood1118]

Seedy joke.!

[@karlx-1]

I bet you THAT little gem will be sold before long.

[@nastybastardatlive]

There's gold in that there junkyard!

[@rupe53]

If you think about it, this hatchback is VERY similar to most any wagon of the era, just with a shorter roof line. It wouldn't have taken much to actually make this a wagon, although keeping the original glass and back doors probably saved money PLUS gave them something rather unique.

[@NorthernChev]

Checker used Continental engines, as well, before switching over to Chevrolet, or GM Corporate, engines as they were known by that time.

[@klwthe3rd]

Is there anything Steve Magnante doesn't know! I always learn something from watching his channel!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Wow! I never knew that car existed! Let alone a hatchback! That’s definitely one rare car today! Too bad is sitting in a junkyard! Great content Steve! Learning a ton from you man!😎👍

[@StressLessCamping]

Can you only imagine what a huge pain in the neck it would be to get that spare tire out of there? What an awful design! And, in those days, you KNOW you were going to have to use that spare at some point in time. The good stuff: that hatchback and all that cargo space. The bad stuff, weird fixed door, spare tire in the passenger compartment. I can see why these weren’t so popular. Another great video, Steve. Sure are enjoying this channel.

[@thedelawareranch2379]

Always said these cars where a head of its time . Those continental engines where used it so much stuff even pump houses on farms

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

The Continental engine was used mostly in Internationals. Kaiser bought Willys which is responsible for the Jeep originally with Ford.

[@Mercmad]

If a snake bit you when looking at the traveller, you could go to a Kaiser Permanente Hospital... same guy.

[@bobbyz1964]

Heard about my dad's Kaiser Frazer since I was a kid, one of the cars he had during high-school in the 50s. Somehow he put an Oldsmobile V8 in it with a Model A transmission. If you've never seen a Model A transmission, they're little and look like something out of a lawnmower, but apparently they were cheap as dirt back then and somebody must've made an adapter to mate them to the Oldsmobile V8. Dad said he carried an extra all the time because if he popped the clutch he'd likely need another one. That was hotrodding back in the day. 🤣

[@CR7659]

There were several companies making adapters to bolt the various OHV V8s to Ford transmissions.

[@lestersabados1306]

My late father built a Henry J into a super modified cut down in the early 60s. It did pretty good with a Chevrolet tri carb set up. I wasn't alive yet but he talked about it lovingly...

[@brewsky38c]

Be sweet car to save and customize

[@scootergeorge7089]

At one point, Henry J Kaiser proposed taking out a large loan to expand production for the 1949 model year. Car savvy Joe Frazer knew this was a very bad idea because sales would likely drop for the face lifted Kaiser and Frazer against all new designs from the big three auto makers. Kaiser ignores this advice, and Frazer left the company. Frazer was correct and the company lost millions of dollars and had who knows how many left over, unsold 1949 cars and bodies. With Frazer's departure from the company the Frazer was to be discontinues BUT the leftovers were sold as the 1950 and 1951 Frazer. PS The 4 door convertible and hardtop along with the hatch back Traveler/Vagabond first appeared in 1949.

[@saxongreen78]

It was a disaster - and by the end of the decade the full size K-F products were virtually worthless on the used market.

[@scootergeorge7089]

@@saxongreen78 - the compact Henry J (and Allstate) were probably worth even less. But they were good as gassers in drag racing!

[@russbilzing5348]

I was going to ask whether this might not incorporate the K-F sleeve valve engine, but you covered that, thanx.

[@millertoolcompany]

Good job Steve!

[@johnrobinson5156]

My cousin has one of those that was used as an ambulance

[@clarkleakins879]

One of the few old cars that I wanted to find and restore. That one is just too far away. Really expect someone to remove/rescue the grill, hood, other "unubtanium" parts. Maybe Steve, you can just create a brief episode about each of these unique car company founders. (Kaiser, Frazier, AMC, Packard, etc). Thanks for all of this "crawling". I did the same with my dad in the mountains, and the many independent junkyards that once existed in our area. Dad told, taught, supported my enthusiasm. Henry Kaiser.... so many people that I meet enjoy the Kaiser Permanente Healthcare, without knowledge of it's history, and name origin.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

@Clark Leakins its funny you say that about Kaiser the Hospital I just heard that on a podcast this week. I Guess they made Ships and they needed healthcare for there 20,000 workers something like that didn’t really pay attention that much. I have Kaiser Insurance also. It’s funny how things start out.

[@clarkleakins879]

The "Permanente" name came from the creek near the Kaiser Cement plant in Cupertino California. The Spanish explorer, De Anza expedition, named the creek. That Cement plant was developed to provide cement for Lake Shasta dam. They also provided most of the cement used to develop much of the San Francisco bay area. The plant also had a aluminum roll operation due to the bauxite on site. The cement plant operation is still there. Recently only by trucks, the rail has not run in more than a year. Plant proposed to be closed soon. Now operated by Hansen, a German firm. Much complaining about pollution of bay area air and water. We are all still here, not dead yet! There are trout still living in the nearby creek! And steelhead attempting to arrive through the bay opening. County wants to buy them out, stop pollution, develop "affordable housing". HAHAHA! I expect it to become premier home sites for wealthy. The views from there will be wow. The city/county politicians eager to recieve additional taxes to spend. Eventually, the political will overcome the public good. Expect to be major complaints and fights due to expected wildlife disruption. And the adjacent Peninsula Regional Open Space District parks will surely oppose. It is a wonderful huge wild area open to the public. I can personally confirm that a few mountain lions enjoy the relatively people free, deer rich, environment. Although it will probably take 3 to 5 years to remedy the wash pond/etc before any real construction can begin. The associated rail line...very likely to become extension of VTA light rail, up to nearby De Anza College. Already proposed, with secured state and federal financing, for bike path along side the rail easement. 10 years ago replacement rails installed, are the same size as VTA rails, not the standard freight car rails. I don't even want to guess the contractors $$$$$ for cement after they close!!!

[@vet-7174]

I was going to say looks like a HenryJ

[@icelineman]

I would buy one!!!!!!

[@79tazman]

our crazy for marking all those old magazines up. That is one thing I could not do was mark a book or magazine up

[@danielleclare2938]

Pinto was a hatchback I think. Remember going thru a carwash with my Moms Green on Green Automatic it had the floor shifter. Anyway rolling up the drivers window while entering the wash it fell back into the door and we ended up going thru with the drivers window wide open... Burlington Ontario 1976. Memories...

[@deanmoore1752]

My dad would cut the weld, and install the lock so you could use the back door.

[@genehunsinger3981]

#1,,,,,,,yeah

[@greggcollins4215]

At 1:58 the Ford on the right looks just like the one my Father had. White over brown.

[@ShawnD1027]

So, the main window in the left rear "door" is fixed, but does the quarter window open? It appears to have the handle/lock on the inside (but given that the "door" has a handle on the outside, that might not mean much).

[@allegory7638]

7:06 I like the ahead-of-its-time side impact beam.

[@mschiffel1]

There should have been a LR outside door handle delete.

[@terrypikaart4394]

Continental was in Muskegon Mi. Sealed power also.

[@bennettcom]

It's the first SUV. But it's not a hatchback. (see Motor Trend Jan. 1973) It's more of a "clam back". It's got a liftback door and a tailgate.

[@saxongreen78]

The K-F Organization utilised the former Graham Paige works...that maker went to the wall producing luxury cars before the War. Their production methods were more efficient and resourceful than those of Graham Paige: I know of one example of a coupe roof being formed from a sedan pressing by cutting and shutting...very expensive!

[@Acejustforalaugh]

Everybody's talking about Fraiser !!

[@kzbuster]

I thought of Scott from Cold War Motors. He drives a 49 Fraser.

[@pollcrimus768]

You really couldn’t kill continental engines they were used on everything from welders to commercial lawnmowers overall a great motor

[@kellytolliver2390]

Damn been up 2 min and already 20 views I wanted no I will be the first comment and view one day love ya Steve motor trend sold out I cancelled as soon as you and Tony left but #2comment not bad

[@genehunsinger3981]

well,,,,you #1 at being 2nd! LOL

[@79tazman]

The Henry J it was built by Kaiser I think right anyway I think that was the coolest car many build them into drag cars but they are cool cars

[@luisalvarez23]

Do vids on those trucks behind you , one is a I H Roadliner and the is a REO

[@justralphajerseyguystuckin3671]

Hey Steve Mags, Re- the 1950 Kaiser Traveler > was that wrecking yard you visited in 2017 or '18? in Mt. Pleasant Mills PA, and at Pyles ?

[@pl5624]

Terrible to see that in the junkyard..rare in new england for sure.

[@hugieflhr03]

Continental made the engines for fork lifts right up until the 90s

[@smartysmarty1714]

The fixed fourth door was a total piss-poor idea for two reasons. First, the passengers were stuck using one door only, and in the event of an accident that could prove to be fatal if it caught fire. Secondly, accessing the items you bought a hatchback for in the first place was now reduced by 50%. Want to get to that tool box on the driver's side ? Sure, just climb over your lumber pile and a few buckets and whatever else is in your way. They would have been better off with an exterior mount swing away spare tire bracket. This would have been a deal breaker for me, on an otherwise cool and useful car.

[@stevejohnson1321]

I wanted to get a focus hatchback, but for 2018 that meant dual-clutch transmission. So I accepted a sedan instead, for a lot less money.

[@TairnKA]

What they should have done is have that door handle operate a hinged panel to access the spare tire, but that would have been too expensive. ;-)

[@stevechandler3924]

That would make a fun rat rod

[@jimhaines8370]

I think Continental was n Detroit area before moving to Ohio sometime around late 50”s and I think the reason door was not functional as on others was lots of states made it illegal to exit from car on the traffic side

[@jamespetersen3933]

The fast way to remove the transmission. Keep on crawling!

[@pl5624]

Austin maxi was Britain's first hatch...

[@papasmodelcarroom8450]

that was a cool 😎 video