Kaiser - Frazer in Australia in 1946?
In 1946 the Kaiser-Frazer Company of Detroit, U.S.A. was seeking permission from the Australian (Commonwealth) Government to manufacture motor cars in Australia. That company proposed to establish its main manufacturing plant in Melbourne, with subsidiary branches in other states. The Prime Minister at that time was Ben Chifley. He denied any approach had been made to him. It is now understood, however, that preliminary negotiations by the companies Australian representative was with officials of the Industries Commission; which was to report to the Government.
The Kaiser-Frazer representative, it was reported at the time, suggested the floating of a company with a nominal Australian capital of �1,500,000. The company was to be known as Liberty Motors Ltd (did they ever exist?) so marking the success as a builder of Liberty ships during the Second World War, of Henry J. Kaiser who was the leading partner in the car enterprise with Frazer, an American motor expert.
It is understood that the Kaiser-Frazer spokesman told the Commission that by using local engineering facilities until their own complete plant was constructed, they should be able to get the first models on the Australian market by May 1947. Temporarily, it was stated at the time, American body panels would be imported. The company hoped to be able to place the car on sale at about �700 for a standard six-cylinder model and �800 for a heavier model. We have been told a couple of these cars were sold here but we are unsure if these were Kaisers or Frazers, if anybody has one, or a photograph, we would like to share it with visitors to the
Unique Cars and Parts.
