Kaiser

The Henry J was Kaiser’s ambitious attempt to build an affordable compact car for the American middle class. Production began in July 1950, with the official public launch following in September. To keep costs down, early models featured a very basic specification, including no external trunk lid. Buyers could choose between a 2.2-litre four-cylinder or a 2.6-litre six-cylinder Willys engine. Despite its excellent fuel economy and a class win in the 1953 Mobil Economy Run, the Henry J never achieved the hoped-for success. The Korean War, fierce price competition from the Big Three, and its stripped-down specification all hurt sales. Following Kaiser-Frazer’s merger with Willys Motors, production ended in 1954.