The era of the postwar independent automaker is a rich and fascinating one, and its historical study is like a “choose your own adventure” book. Automotive historians have written many volumes on what might have been if one carmaker had merged with another instead of this one, etc. Still, the failure of most of those brands was sadly inevitable. Unfortunately, Kaiser (as a brand) was one of those makes, although the company itself continued making Jeeps (and cars in Argentina). Even though Kaiser didn’t last long, it left behind one of the most attractive sedans of the early 1950s. Just underneath the top-of-the-line Dragon was the Kaiser Manhattan, and this one’s for sale on Marketplace in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Kaiser, in the early ’50s, was well-known for their trend-setting interiors, as evidenced by the bamboo accents and “dragon vinyl” found in some of their sedans. The head of interior design was a man named Carleton Spencer, and he was an interior genius. Most of the industry treated the interior almost as an afterthought in the immediate postwar period, but Spencer made it a focal point. Although this Manhattan doesn’t look too wild by later 1950s standards, the seat bolsters, door panels, and dash pad of this ’53 are enough in the Kaiser vein to make me wonder if they’re the real thing; the seller does claim that the paint is original, so who knows. Maybe we’ve found a real survivor here; perhaps our Kaiser-Frazer experts on Barn Finds can narrow things down more in the comments.
For those keeping track, we have a handsome sedan with exterior styling by noted designer Howard “Dutch” Darrin and an interior designed by one of the few interior designers that an automotive historian might know by name. So what held the Kaiser back? Part of it was the engine; the Kaiser was available only with a 226 cubic-inch flathead six producing 118 horsepower. It was based on a Continental design, but by 1953, you could buy an eight-cylinder engine in almost any other American car, so that may have kept some buyers away. Also, the Big Three was building some attractive two-door hardtops that were selling very well, but Kaiser was never able to introduce that popular body style. There were also economies of scale; Kaiser could never compete on price because their output was so low: only 31,272 Kaisers (not including Henry J’s) were sold in 1953. As a comparison, Buick sold more than 58,000 Special two-door hardtops that year: just the two-door hardtop in the Special line alone.
As they say, however, rarity does not always equate to value, and the seller of this Manhattan understands that. Although it looks like a perfectly solid original (check out this picture of the trunk), its price won’t break the bank: $4,500. For a running and driving sedan (that’s missing a bit of front trim – too bad), that’s a good deal. That it’s been for sale for over a week shows you one of two things: the market for these is soft, or the car isn’t what it seems. I’d guess the former. But if you want a terrific conversation starter to cruise around in next summer, this might be the one. You won’t make any money if you decide to sell, but you probably won’t lose any at this price, so what do you have to lose?
Looks like a pretty decent example, especially for someone who likes Kaisers — I’m one — but you’d have a fairly rough time sourcing the missing trim at the bottom of the hood.
Kaisers had classy and durable interiors; this beige (?) scheme is new to me. It appears to be original. My two ’53s (a dark blue Deluxe and a gray Manhattan) had dark brown Dragon Vinyl. I can’t recall major differences between the two trim levels inside, but the stainless pieces on the exterior were larger for the Manhattans.
I will defend the Continental engine. It was powerful enough for everyday use, fairly economical, and very reliable. Mine had the GM Hydra-Matic transmissions, which were superb.
Not sure what one is worth today — I paid far less for mine, years ago — but if it’s in decent mechanical condition, the next owner will enjoy it.
The seats were also very comfortable. I could drive my 1951 Kaiser Special all day and not feel sore. The only weakness of their engines is often, the pedestal where the distributor sat would break, so you had to wire the thing tightly so it wouldn’t move and upset the timing.
Kaiser people have stock piled many parts, those grille pieces are easy to get.
The car would look a lot better with hubcaps or wheel covers, but all four are missing–gives it an unfinished, incomplete look. I have access to several sets of them if seller wants to contact me.
Always likes these cars since I was a teenager.Friends Dad owned one that he used as a daily driver.We used to sneak it out when his parents went places on the weekends. Great times until he ran red light and cops got us for joy riding.Well it wasn’t to pleasant what happened with parents. I would go for this but wife would give me all kinds of grief,plus no room.Maybe if the seller is interested I’d trade him driver quality 04 Mustang 40th.Anniversity convertible.
Owner says it has been adjusted for the 8 volt battery and all 4 hubcaps have been installed.
8 volt?
4 caps=8 volts.
Kaiser did make an attractive Frasure model that was a 2 door with a Shark tooth type grill. That grill was a departure from the typical enhanced lip grill we’re familiar with. That Hurricane six engine propelled my dad’s Kaiser upwards of 100 mph at one time. They also had a very reliable Tubro matic automatic transmission at a time when automatics were still in their trouble shooting phases. Chrysler comes to mind. When we were out searching farm yards for Hemi cars every abandoned Chrysler/Dodge/Desoto we found had a good engine but the transmission was shot. Those were the good ole days.
Kaiser used GM Hydramatic.
Homely car in a pretty sort of way. Despite the author’s raves of the dash, it looks to be a very inconvenient layout for the driver.
I’m a Kaiser fan…I’ve had a 1950 Kaiser Traveler for years…the first US hatchback. But the proportions of the body work of 1951-55 look goofy to me. The difference between the Continental engine and the Kaiser produced engine is the change of the name on the cylinder head from “Continental” to “Kaiser”, everything else is the same. To compete with the V8s that all the competition was producing they added a Paxton Supercharger to it. After US production ceased they sold the tooling and name to an Argentine company that produced them for a few more years. I saw…I think on Barn Finds…of an Argentine produced hearse.
Sure is a low cost way of getting into the hobby!