File this under "what if?" As in "what if Kaiser-Frazer had built a pickup version of a Kaiser sedan a la Ranchero or El Camino." Well, it seems Kaiser did, and Autoblog found the one-and-only for sale on e-Bay. At least that's the story supplied by the car's owner: that it is an actual prototype. Uhhh… far be it from me to question the authenticity of his claim but I'm inclined to wonder how Kaiser-Frazer could have created such a nifty vehicle then hidden it from sight as if it didn't want anyone to know. A struggling automaker would certainly prefer the world be made aware of its ability to come up with exciting new ideas. Frankly I think this is a custom job (albeit a very nice one), perhaps from a period after K-F closed its doors in North America. Hint: It has "Barris Custom" on the B-pillars. Apparently it is mechanically correct, including the 6-cylinder Continental engine, so regardless, this pickup makes a nice, and certainly unique, collectible. At the time when Autoblog published this blog, the bidding on e-Bay was $7300. No doubt that sum will rise considerably before a sale is consummated. Genuine or not, it's a keeper.
[Photo: CaliforniaClassix]