Des Moines Concours d’Elegance
A Celebration of the Art and Design of the Motor Vehicle
Kaiser Frazer 75th Anniversary Class
Saturday September 10, 2022 to Sunday September 11, 2022
Important: Application Due Date: August 1st, 2022
1951 Frazer 4-Door Convertible
Extra Extra….
Read All About It….
Kaiser-Frazer enthusiasts – we have an opportunity to make a splash with our cars like none before.
For the first time in our club’s history, a Concours d’Elegance event is hosting a class of Kaisers and Frazers – up to 15 cars. The class is chaired by Dave Holzinger of the Des Moines Concours d’Elegance to honor the 75th anniversary of Kaiser/Frazer, and we need your cars to celebrate this event and our marque.
This kind of recognition has never happened to us before. I’ve spoken to Bob and Charlotte Dayton, Randy Rutherford, Jim Betts, Carl Herring, Mike Barker, Rudy Philips, Jack and Barbara Mueller, Dave Antram, Rick Kamen, Jim Lape, Adam Harder and others to confirm the significance. Indeed, this will be our first Kaiser/Frazer Concours d’Elegance event in the history of our club. Yes…Kaisers and Frazers have participated in classes of cars at concours – but never in a class by themselves. This time is our time.
Let’s make this a great success for the concours, for us, our cars and the history of Kaiser/Frazer. We know our cars have been “Built To Better The Best on the Road” – so let’s do it and set an example of what we can do for all future concours events.
This time the limelight is yours. Let’s shine.
Geoff Hacker
Des Moines Concours d’Elegance Contributor
Let’s Talk Concours
I attended my first concours in 2007 and was invited to bring my car too. I was overwhelmed with the size and scope of the event and how the cars were treated by those who attended. A true concours such as the Des Moines Concours d’Elegance is unlike any other car event you’ve been to. Local, national and often international press attend the event which makes a sizable opportunity for publicity on the cars and marques that are featured. These events are always exciting as you often view legendary cars that you’ve only read about and have a chance to meet celebrities that are part of the event too. You can read more about what a concours entails by clicking on the link below:
Click Here To Learn More About How a Concours d’Elegance Works
The Des Moines Concours d’Elegance
This event had its origin back in 2000 as a beautifully hosted event at the Salisbury House & Gardens in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2014 it evolved, expanded, moved downtown and embraced a new name – the Des Moines Concours d’Elegance. It is now held in the heart of the city – downtown Des Moines, Iowa with cars placed among the statues at the famous Pappajohn Sculpture Garden. It is impressive. It is beautiful. And the cars featured around the sculptures in the part are spectacular. Here are additional detail on this concours:
Click Here To View The Home Page of the 2022 Des Moines Concours e’Elegance
Click Here To View The 2022 Des Moines Concours d’Elegance Classes
Click on the 3 Minute Video Below to Learn More
Cars Considered For The Kaiser-Frazer 75th Anniversary Class
Dave Holzinger, chair of the Kaiser / Frazer class for the 2022 Des Moines Concours d’Elegance, is responsible for making this class happen. Great thanks goes to Dave in creating the class for the concours and on taking this responsibility. The class will be “judged” but as with every concours, the owner of an “invited” car can opt out of it being judged, but still fully participate. The choice is yours.
We would like to see a wide variety of models offered from 1947 to 1955. If we get the right cars on the field, we can nicely represent the Kaiser as a company and its automotive history. Let’s review the kind of cars we are looking for.
Potential Cars For The Kaiser / Frazer Class
The Des Moines Concours d’Elegance can have as many as 15 cars on the field. The list below looks at possible models and years of specific cars. Not all will be chosen because we are limited to 15 cars, but if you have cars that fit one of these categories and would like to consider attending with your car, scroll to the bottom of this page to find out your next step.
Frazers
1 Example Each (3 total)
- 1947 – first year (either 1947 Kaiser or 1947 Frazer – but not both)
- 1948-1950 Frazer Manhattan hardtop
- 1951 Frazer 4-door convertible or hardtop
Kaisers
1 Example Each (2 total)
- 1947 – first year (either 1947 Kaiser or 1947 Frazer – but not both)
- 1949-1950: Kaiser Special (sedan, traveler, Taxicab) – had chrome script colors
- 1949-1950: Kaiser 4-door convertible
Henry J
1 Example (1 total)
- 1951 – 1954: Possible choices are 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder Deluxe, Corsair, Corsair Deluxe, Vagabond
Allstate
1 Example (1 total) – filled at this time
- 1952-1953: Allstate (4 cylinder), Allstate Deluxe (6 cylinder)
Kaiser Travelers
1 Example Each (2 total)
- 1949-1950: Kaiser Traveler, Kaiser Vagabond
- 1951-1953 Kaiser Traveler 2 door or 4 door
Frazer Vagabonds
1 Example (1 total)
- 1951 Frazer Vagabond
Dragons
1 Example Each (2 total)
- 1951 Dragon
- 1953 Dragon
Kaiser Darrin Sports Car
1 Example (1 total) – filled at this time
- 1954 Kaiser Darrin Sports Car
1951 – 1952 Kaiser Club Coupes and Business Coupes
Smaller Greenhouse
1 Example Each (2 total)
- 1951-1952 Club Coupe
- 1951-1952 Business Coupe
1951-1953 Kaisers
1-2 cars (1-2 total)
- Manhattans, Specials, others not listed
1954 Kaisers
New front and rear end styling
1-2 cars (1-2 total)
- 1954 early Special
- 1954 late Special
- 1954 2-4 door hardtop Manhattan
Kaiser Virginian
1-2 cars (1-2 total)
- 1949-1950 1st styling
- 1952 2nd styling
Kaiser Carolina
1 car (1 total)
- 1953 Kaiser Carolina (2 and 4 door)
1951-1955 Kaiser Convertible
1 car (1 total)
- A prototype was made and several nicely done custom convertibles
1955 Kaisers
Last Year For Kaisers in USA
1 Example (1 total)
- 1955 Manhattan – 2 or 4 door
Kaiser Concept / Show Cars / Other Cars
Several Examples (1-2 total)
- 1951 Sun Goddess – Designed by Alex Tremulis – Styling study hardtop
- 1951 Artic Explorer – Kaiser Show Car debuted at the 1951 Chicago Auto Show
- 1953 Kaiser Show Dragon (Turquoise color, gold trim, gold wire wheels, leather interior)
- Kaiser / Frazer Taxi cabs
- Kaiser Airport Transportation Limousines
- Kaiser Limousines
- Kaiser / Frazer Ambulance, Hearse, Flower Cars
- Kaiser / Frazer Custom Cars
- Henry J sports car specials and custom cars
Scroll Down Below To See Your Next Step at Participating in the Concours
1952 Kaiser Traveler
Applying to Participate in the Concours
Important: Application Due Date: August 1st, 2022
What You Need To Do
Keep in mind that concours are “invitation only” events. You can’t just show up in your car. You have to go thru an application process, and the good news is that this is an easy step. Although this is a 2-day car show, the concours occurs just on Sunday so if you can only attend with your car on 1 day, you would arrive on Saturday and follow the procedures to get your car on the field on Sunday. On Saturday there is a driving tour in the morning that is optional and has a nominal cost which includes lunch. Also, if your car is accepted for the concours, there is no cost for your participation. You’ll learn more if/when your car is accepted.
First
Now that we know they’ve created a class, if you think you want to attend, you need to apply. After you apply, they may have questions for you before making a decision about your car, and you’ll hear from them via phone or e-mail. When you begin to complete the application via the link below, you will need some details at hand. These include
- Your car year and model
- VIN
- Insurance card/carrier, expiration date of policy
- Be prepared to share 50 words on the history of your car and model
- You will need to upload a photo that may be used in the program and will help the class chair determine condition of the car
Second
Are you ready to apply? Do you have the information above ready to be entered on the computer? If so, click on the link below and follow the instructions to apply to the concours:
Click on This Link and Scroll Down to Fill Out Your Application
Third
If your car is confirmed, you’ll need to follow the instructions that are sent to you in terms of getting your car to the event location and on time. This means you are responsible for transport of your car, hotel, and more. This is standard for all concours across the country.
Remember gang…the show is on September 10th and 11th, 2022 – not that far away.
If you have any questions, call Dave Holzinger at (515) 447-9799 and/or Geoff Hacker at (813) 888-8882
REMEMBER!
Application Due Date: August 1st, 2022