Henry J Accessories
In the 21st
century, it is difficult for some to comprehend that at one time, signal lights,
heaters, side view mirrors and cigar lighters were not standard equipment on
automobiles. These items that we take for granted, were available either at an
extra cost, or not at all in 1950 when the Henry J was introduced.
Kaiser-Frazer actually offered
a number of accessories that could be added to their line of fine automobiles.
The Henry J is no exception.
The Henry J parts book, issued by
Kaiser-Frazer lists these accessories, which included:
Overdrive
Radio
Heater
Fresh Air Vents
Signal Lights
Arm Rests (for inside on the doors)
Backup lights
Courtesy Lights (the 1951 and 1952 Henry Js did not have a dome light)
Outside Mirror
Outside Sun Visor
Continental Spare Tire carrier (to be
mounted on the back)
Fog Lights
Spot Light
Windshield Washer
Cigar lighter
Seat Covers
Electric Razor
Rear Quarter Vent Windows
Remote Tire filler hose (for those models without a trunk lid)
This list of factory accessories was listed in an early Henry J factory brochure that referred to the Henry J as “Smart, Tough and Thrifty”
Hubcaps/Wheel Covers
There were two basic types of wheel trim used on the Henry J: The standard Henry J hubcap, which was available on 4 cylinder models, for all years, was this type -
I had the good fortune of acquiring a set a of NOS (new old stock) Henry J "dog dish" hubcaps a couple of years ago. For some reason, there were many owners who painted the "K" on these hubcaps red or black. The photo of the NOS part shows they were actually "frosted" around the "K" with a light silver coating. The original coating wore off easily so it is unusual to find Henry J hubcaps that still have it. The small hubcaps came in one of two styles: Those with stainless steel "skins" on them or those with chrome "skins." Both were the same, however, the stainless steel version has a little bit different luster to it than the chrome style.
The deluxe (6 cylinder) Henry J featured the full "Wheel Covers." They were also available on the 4 cylinder model at an additional cost.
Just as the smaller caps, there were two basic versions of the wheel cover: The earlier version has the valve stem hole below the letter "K". Later versions have the valve stem hole above the letter "K." This, most likely, was done to make it easier to access when this cover was modified and used on the Continental Spare Tire kits. The full wheel covers are all made of stainless steel and just as the smaller caps, owners often painted the "K" red or black. But, just as the smaller ones, there was actually a silver colored "frost" around the letter "K"
Henry J Heaters
Three
types of heaters were used in the Henry J:
One type is the 1949/50 Kaiser heaters left over from the short and lackluster 1950 model year.
The heater pictured above
is that particular type.
The Kaiser style heaters
were used as late as the 1952 models. According to Richard Langworth’s book, The
Last Onslaught On Detroit, this style heater was the better of the two listed
in the 1951 Henry J parts book.
The second type Henry J heater is pictured here -
To operate this heater,
the driver must open the hood and turn on the hot water valve. Opening the
passenger side air vent allows airflow through the heater. The plastic lever
flips the damper from heater to defroster.
The third type I have encountered is the one below. This is heater package part number 100302. It is listed in the 1952/53 Henry J parts supplement. There is no photo but I've seen them new in the box and the box does indeed say "Package number 100302" on it. Despite being listed in the 1952/53 parts supplement, I have only seen this heater in 1951 Henry Js. Many 1951 Henry Js sold without a heater so it's likely dealers and/or restorers installed this type in the earlier cars.
Dealers could also install heaters they had in stock when buyers requested that option and they had no cars available with a heater. I know of at least two early Henry Js that featured the 1947/48 style Kaiser “Air Conditioner” heater.
Henry J Radios
Radios were not standard equipment on the Henry J. The 1951 Henry J foldout owner's manual states that "Radio (Optional Equipment)" is available. The manual elaborates that stations can be preset and selected by use of a foot switch.
This refers to the use of left over Kaiser and Frazer radios mounted in the Henry J by means of an adapter kit called "Henry J Custom Radio with Foot Control".
If you have ever seen the factory issue radio that was available in the 1947 and 1948 Kaisers and Frazers, then this type of Henry J radio will look familiar to you -
It could be installed in the Henry J using a kit - Kaiser-Frazer part number 100219. The button in the center, below the station indicator, is used to select preset stations that can be set using the station selector knob on this radio. The preset stations can also be selected by means of a foot switch on the driver's side. The switch could also be used to "mute the set."
As was the case with the Kaisers and Frazers that used this radio, not all of these radios had the foot switch feature installed. Those that did not, had a round chrome plug in the hole where the station selector button is located.
When the "real" Henry J radios came out, dealers could still install surplus Kaiser/Frazer radios of this type using adapter kit 100219.
The "real" Henry J radios look like this one -
The newer style radio has five push buttons with which to preset stations. The knobs and buttons follow the motif of the Henry J dash.
Apart from the Kaiser issue Henry J radios, there were also after-market vendors that offered radio kits for the Henry J. I have no pictures of any of these radios, but they do exist. If you have a picture of one, please e-mail it to me and I'll list it on this page.
Rear Quarter Vent Windows
The rear windows in the Henry J are stationary and cannot be opened. KF did offer vent window kits for installation in the rear windows of the Henry J.
These vent wings could be opened or closed to provide added comfort to the rear seat passengers.
Other After-Market Accessories available for The Henry J
Since the Sears Allstate car was a thinly made-over Henry J, many accessories offered by Sears and Roebuck were made to fit the Henry J. Sears sold spotlights, radios, heaters, back up lights etc. all of which could be fitted on the Henry J. One Sears accessory that is commonly seen on the Henry J is their Allstate turn signal kit shown here -
Other after-market accessories include outside sun visors by Karvisor or Fulton.
One of the more interesting after-market accessories, which seems almost prophetic in a way, is the "Finliner" tail lights offered by United Marine Manufacturing.
Finliners were designed for installation on the 1951 and early 1952 (Vagabond) Henry Js before the tail lights were placed on the fins.
Pictured here are a couple of examples of 1951 Henry Js featuring Finliner tail lights:
A list of all accessories and their part numbers can be found in the official Henry J parts book. Reprints of the Henry J parts book are often available on Ebay
Apart from these Henry J specific accessories, Kaiser-Frazer also offered many generic accessories to be installed on any of their vehicles. Some examples are "Kool Breez" shades for the vent windows and a fantail exhaust pipe extension.