Rick Lay

Every good judge should have his/her current judging manual with them at the start of judging. We tell this to all our new apprentices at the start of apprentice training.

Page 17 of the 2006 "Official Judging Manual" states: "Do not remove components to inspect other components, i.e.: remove a seat to inspect a battery." The beginning of the sentence (Do not...) should make things pretty clear and not subject to other interpretation. We stress this in judging school and in the CJE classes. Obviously the message remains lost on a few and it is those few who, through error, cast doubts on the rest of us. Rick Lay Assistant Chairman - Judges Training.

I received mine also - great!

Just to update the info - Roger Kash of Florida is the owner of the Impala. They had minor bruises, but went on to Texas and ran the tour in a rental car. The car is now back in Florida awaiting insurance action.

Don Wentworth lives in Florida and the caravan, as I understand, was enroute to the Central Division Tour in Granbury, TX (April 8-10). I guess the photo is just now getting circulated.

Thanks, Steve - that tells me what I need to know!

Steve: How do the sizes run on these compared to say, the Van Heusen AACA shirts? A large in the Van Heusen is like an XL in others.

I got mine here in East Tennessee today. Great job, John! I'm anxious to try the crossword.

It was a very good show and another AACA member, Tom Holt, was interviewed in the first half.

The region member I mentioned a post or so ago has sent you an email with information that will hopefully be helpful. If you do not get it, let me know by email and I will forward it.

According to our K-F club's best information, production for the 1948 Frazer Manhattan was 18,591. The Frazer standard sedan production was 29,480. Compare this with production of the Kaiser Special at 90,588 and the Kaiser Custom at 1,263 and one can see the 2 to 1 ratio between the two makes. The Kaiser Custom was Henry Kaiser's answer to being bothered about having a "plain" car with his name on it. It was available with the same options as the Frazer Manhattan. Most of the Customs I have seen have full leather interiors and carpeting front and back (like the Manhattan). The Frazer standard and Kaiser Specials came with a rubber floor mat in front and a hogshair type carpeting in the rear seating area.

I'll look up production on this car and post. Looking at the dash photo - the "FRAZER" above the glove box lights up when you turn on the parking/headlights. Also, the steering wheel pictured was for the Manhattans only. The standard Frazer series had an entirely different wheel. Most all the Manhattans also had a foot activated switch for changing the stations on the radio. And we think "seek" and "scan' are something new!

Yes, mechanical parts are readily available. Most other trim parts for the early body style (like the car above) are pretty much available also. The later body style Kaiser (with the "sweetheart" windshield) body and trim parts are somewhat harder to find - but not impossible.

This appears to be a 1948 Frazer Manhattan. The Kaiser and Frazer shared the same body and powerplant (Continental L-head 6) and were different in that the Frazer was the top line car with upgraded interiors and options. The Kaiser nameplate was lesser priced and offered fewer options. This later became, according to Joseph Frazer, one of the "rubs" between he and Henry Kaiser as Mr. Kaiser did not like having the "plain end of the stick." Joseph Frazer left the company and the Frazer nameplate was phased out after the 1951 model year. 1947 and 1948 were good years for the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation and during these two years there were approximately 2 Kaisers produced for every Frazer produced. If you want to know any more, let me know - I know far too much trivia and can bore anyone in short order.

I am going to email a member of our region who has a 1912 Buick (HPOF Certified) in hope that he can perhaps provide some answers.

Whenever someone looks at my Kaisers they always remark something to the effect, " Gosh, those are rare cars - I bet they are worth a lot of money." I then reply that the folks who collect them are rare also, and supply and demand dictate that they are not as highly desired as some other makes. The fact that nobody has rushed to save these cars would tend to validate my statement. They are, however, fun cars to drive and they get good gas mileage and can travel highway speeds. Mechanical parts are plentiful (Continental engines, hydramatic trnasmissions) and the K-F club has reproduced many of the interior fabrics and hard to find plastic items. I hope someone takes an interest in the cars before they are gone.

I just received a phone call from a Great Race participant saying that Tom McRae, founder of The Great Race, was killed yesterday in a motorcycle accident.

The website for the Kaiser Frazer Owners Club, International is http://www.kfclub.com. As I recall, we have a forum there to post cars available, etc.

Robert: I have had some problems in the past with a single range Hydramatic doing this, but the problems were related to low transmission fluid levels. You mention "motor oil" and I am assuming you mean "transmission fluid." The type of fluid you are using could definitely have such an effect on the transmission. The early single range Hydramatics used in 1950-51 seem to operate best on Dextron II. If we have some Chrysler folks out there looking in, maybe they can suggest what fluid works best for them.

I wish I could leave for Florida now - I'm cold here in East Tennessee.

It is my understanding that the rule is, as Fred stated in his article, based on attending a school within the previous 12 months. I think Fred is out of town and I am sure he may post a response when he returns. Both Novaman and ex98thdrill make good points. As with all of our judging matters, all are subject to review by the Class Judging Committee. Having come on the committee last year, I do not know the history/reasoning behind the rule as stated. The committee will meet in Philadelphia and pending comment by Fred, I will be happy to bring the item up for discussion/clarification.

Kevin, We will be having an Apprentice Team at every National Meet (except the Annual Grand National Meet) next year starting with the Winter National in Gainesville, FL. Once you have gone to Judging School and served on the Apprentice Team, you are ready to field judge. We look forward to having you with us!

Another source you might wish to see is autocolorlibrary.com. They do have some early chips available online.

I came by the car during one of the "hands on" demonstrations and every kid had their eyes intensely glued on what was happening. Congratulations to the Cape Canaveral Region for a very well organized and fun meet!

Peter - I would also like to join the DF'ers for lunch.