1951 Other Makes

6 Cylinder

Clear

HENRY J K514 $1,499 NUMBER PRODUCED: 1951: 42,542 (estimated) SERIAL NUMBER RANGE: K514-001001 to K514-049959 estimated BODY NUMBER RANGE: K5144 – 1001 to 47559 includes K523V type NUMBER IN REGISTRY: K514 – 107 SPECIAL NOTE: Estimates are from KFOCI HANDBOOK THIRD EDITION The first version of the Henry J to actually go into production was the 6-cylinder K-514. Willys-Overland was able to supply K-F with all the flathead 6 cylinder motors it wanted (4’s had a conflict with military needs). Production began approximately July 18, 1950, and by September 29th 1950—announcement day--there were over 6,000 of them in dealer or distributor hands. This was a “sleeper” in terms of performance, so said the people testing the car for magazines like MOTOR TREND and the fledgling ROAD AND TRACK. The 7.0:1 compression ratio of the 161 cubic inch motor produced 80 bhp, and when coupled with the 4.55:1 rear axle supplied on cars equipped with the extra cost overdrive, acceleration figures were most respectable. It was a great sales point that Kaiser-Frazer did not dwell on during the 1951 model year. Interiors of the K514 were dressed up, with use of Volta Cloth along with the Vinyl-covered paper found on the K513 4-cylinder model. A dashboard installed ash tray was part of the standard equipment list for this model, but cigarette lighter was an option, as were arm rests and cigarette lighter. Also to be had at extra cost were the right side inside sun visor, directional signals and ventilation ducts. The K514 version could be ordered without an accessory group, but only by special order. While the early K514’s did not have a deck lid, they did have this equipment package. On December 22, 1950 the equipment list (at extra cost) expanded with opening front window vents. As 1950 came to a close, Kaiser-Frazer expanded on factory-installed items for the K514 through the roll-out of other Accessory Groups. Besides offering the choice of a deck lid, the Deluxe Henry J could be ordered (albeit for only a short time) with seats upholstered in the same Stockholm cloth or Dragon Vinyl used on the more expensive Kaiser models. With the overdrive option, it was no problem getting great gas mileage…MOTOR TREND’s best figure was 30.93 mpg on an early production K514 in overdrive at a steady 30 miles per hour. The decision on the deck lid results in a rather interesting situation for Kaiser spotters. During the 1951 and 1952 Vagabond model runs, K-F produced a number of K514 (as well as K513) models with both deck lid and fold down rear seat back. This creates a sort of “mini Traveler” as the deck lid opens up from trunk floor up to just a bit below the rear window (more of an opening in terms of height than on the DeSoto Carry-All sedans). Kaiser spotters can also watch for the remains of an unusual option available for Henry J automobiles. If you find a tire valve mounted to the rear deck it should be connected to the remains of a rubber hose that went back to the spare tire, with a mating valve part on it. This accessory was offered by Kaiser-Frazer to enable owners to check and adjust spare tire pressure without taking the gage and air hose inside the car.