Remembering the Henry J

It was a cheap car and looked it.

Remembering the Henry J

 

By Elton Camp

 

When we speak of an automotive blunder

Most know how Ford’s Edsel went under

But there was another mistake made before

Though few recall that little car anymore

 

Henry J. Kaiser’s company made a big car

But he thought one cheaper would go far

The magnate thought he saw a reason why

To make a car that was very cheap to buy

 

So he arranged a federal loan in forty-nine

To make one with a notably cheap design

Thirteen-hundred was its maximum price

So there was no way that it could be nice

 

So Kaiser decided what it was he should do

Make a car where the components were few

It had a trunk for one’s valuables to hide

Rear seat folds since no lid did he provide

 

And the only model was a sedan two door

Glove box, armrests, sun visor cost more

Customers got the car home and found

The rear windows wouldn’t roll down

 

People knew between inexpensive and cheap

The Henry J was seen as a worthless heap

So each year the car’s sales went ever down

For little more, better vehicles were found

 

Its advertising department went the wrong way

Because gasoline was so very cheap in that day

Hated gas rationing had recently come to an end

Time of plenty and prosperity was about to begin

 

Henry J’s styling was also a major sales stopper

Many said, “It looks just like a grasshopper.”

The tiny car’s production soon came to an end

But it would have been best if it didn’t begin