TheKaiserStore.com
Peoria Kaiser Frazer enthusiast can't say no to relics of the 50's
By Bob Golfen of the Arizona Republic
The 1954-55 Kaiser Manhattan is probably the most beautiful American car that nobody's ever heard of. Well almost nobody, because the fleeting existence of Kaiser Motor Corp. is certainly celebrated by a loyal cadre of hobbyists, even if it hardly raises a blip of recognition in the outside world.
Larry Barker of Peoria is one of those dedicated souls, a lifelong Kaiser Frazer fanatic who traces his enthusiasm to his grandfather and father, who was one of the 14 founders of the Kaiser Frazer Owners Club in 1959. "Between my dad and I, we've probably owned about 300 Kaisers, Frazers and Kaiser-Darrins," said Barker, 49. "I just keep buying them and selling them and buying them back again." He pointed out a partially disassembled two-door 1954 Kaiser Manhattan sitting in his garage. "That's the one I drove to Thunderbird High School," he said. "I've owned it four times."
Starting out just after World War II the Kaiser-Frazer Corp, a Michigan company produced automobiles until 1953. Starting on 1953, the Kaiser Autos were produced at the Willy's plant in Toledo,Ohio. The last car was produced in 1955. The longest-enduring product was the Willys Jeep. But it's Kaiser automobiles, the luxurious Manhattans, Dragons and compact Henry J's (named for company founder Henry J. Kaiser), that Barker finds so appealing. Plus, the exotic Kaiser-Darrin sports car, which just beat Corvette in 1953 as the first American car with a fiberglass body.
The prides of his collection are among the eight Kaisers parked in the expanded driveway. A nicely restored 1954 Manhattan is his main driver, a rare black sedan that was limited to company executives and VIP's. The other car, also rare, is a Manhattan that Barker bought for his wife: it's a nearly pristine survivor with a factory supercharged engine and only 37,000 miles on the odometer.
His garage is a veritable warehouse of Kaiser Frazer used parts, which he markets and sells all over the world, Barker said. Over his garage door is a sign that reads "The Kaiser Store". "I do a huge Kaiser Frazer used parts business to all parts of the world, mostly through the international Kaiser club," he said, noting that the club now has about 1,800 active members,"I'm pretty much the go-to guy in the Valley for Kaiser Frazer used parts.
Barker also serves as the director of the Western region of the Kaiser Frazer Owners Club, as editor of the club's quarterly publication and as president of the Arizona Automobile Hobbyists Council, a political action group that fights for the rights of old-car enthusiasts.
Looking around his backyard, which is packed with various Kaiser cars and many stacks of Kaiser Frazer parts, Barker shakes his head in frustration. "As you can see, I've run out of room for all my projects," he said. "The problem is, I have people from all over who call and say, 'I have a Kaiser and you can take it away.' "My wife says, 'Oh no, not another one.' But I just can't say no to a Kaiser."
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