Remembering the Henry J
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
Copyright © Elton Camp | Year Posted 2010
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