Vehicle Description
On July 25, 1945, Henry J. Kaiser, producer of Liberty Ships during
WWII teamed with Joseph Frazer, Packard executive, and announced
the formation of a new corporation, Kaiser-Frazer, which would
target the growing post-war demand for automobiles. Leasing Ford's
Willow Run plant from the War Assets Administration they produced
11,000 cars in 1946. After a few profitable years, the company lost
$30 Million in 1949. Frazer left the company. In 1951 Howard
"Dutch" Darrin redesigned the company's flagship Kaiser Manhattan.
With its rounded roofline, trapezoidal glass treatment, concave
waterfall grille and a fender line that curved gently from front to
rear, embellished by a slight dip under the rear side window that
became known as the "Darrin Dip," which was echoed by peaks in the
windshield and rear windows, it is considered to be one of the most
beautiful American designs of the early post-war era.
The 1954 Kaiser Manhattan, considered the most elegant of Kaisers,
included rear reflective lenses that accentuated the Manhattan's
tail fins and a hood scoop that coordinated with the chrome lines
of the concave grill. It was advertised as the safest car in
America due to its wrap-around bumpers, low center of gravity,
drop-out windshield, padded dash and excellent field of view for
the driver. 4,107 of these elegant sedans were produced and few
remain.
This restored and modified '54 Manhattan has survived and remains
on the road largely due to the Chevy 350 Small Block V8 and TH350
Transmission that has been swapped for the car's original
6-cylinder 226 cid L head engine and Hydramatic Transmission. Other
modifications include: Chevy 10 bolt rear with 3.00 to 1 ratio,
4-wheel power disc brakes, full 1987 Camaro front clip and
suspension and power steering. Aside from the AM/FM Cassette deck
with rear speakers, the exterior and interior are original,
repainted in the original Cream over Teal with reupholstered seats.
This was the era of large steering wheels, roomy bench seats, vent
windows and plenty of chrome and this car has it all.
Awards include:
GoodGuys 2011 East Coast Nationals - "Dare to be Different"
East Coast Classic Car Association's 2011 Orchard Beach Car & Motor
Cycle Show
Moonlight Cruisers Classic Car Club Show 2012
Rock N Rods Classic Car Club of New York, Cruise Night 2017
ESTIMATE: $25,000 - $35,000
