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