The Henry J, built and sold by Kaiser-Frazer, was perhaps the right car at the wrong time. It was developed after World War II ended and was sold between 1951 and 1954. Problem was people wanted bigger cars in the post-war era, and the Henry J wasn’t that much cheaper (remember, gasoline was 22 cents/gallon, too). So, the car came and went, just as the company itself would soon do. The seller has a nice two-owner first-year model in Deluxe trim. It needs some TLC and only has a small amount of rust. Located in Milford, Delaware, this little econobox is available here on eBay for $8,999 OBO. Thanks for the tip, JDC!
Kaiser-Frazer Corp. chairman Henry J. Kaiser conceived the Henry J and it was named after him. It was a new design but pulled from the existing parts bin to keep costs as low as possible. Both four and six-cylinder versions were offered, with the latter being in the seller’s car. Kaiser thought there would be a market for a cheap auto in the vein of the original Ford Model T, but he overestimated demand at a time when the economy was beginning to flourish. To finance the project, Kaiser took out a loan from the federal government.
The Henry J was only offered as a 2-door sedan like you see here. It’s powered by an L-head inline-6 that displaces 161 cubic inches that kicks out 80 hp (the engines were supplied by Willys-Overland). The car never achieved more than about one percent of the U.S. auto market share, so they pulled the plug in 1953 with some leftovers sold as 1954 models. We’re told this two-tone Henry J is a two-owner car with a mere 24,000 miles.
Quite a few parts have been replaced and are new, including the radiator, fuel pump, carburetor, brakes, and more – plus a switch from points to electronic ignition. The car is mostly rust-free with a touch of that stuff in the floorboard on the driver’s side and where the B.-pillar contacts with the floor (easy fixes per the seller). The interior is good, though the headliner needs replacing and comes with the car. The same can be said for one of the pieces of glass. If you’re looking for a vehicle that no one will know what it is, this Henry J could be it!
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