Supercharged Survivor: 1954 Kaiser Manhattan

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In 1955, 69 years ago, Kaiser made their last car in the U.S., that’s hard to believe. A merger with Willys-Overland in 1953 prolonged the inevitable for a couple of years, and they were made in South America until the 60s. This 1954 Kaiser Manhattan is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Cartersville, Georgia and they’re asking $6,800 or offer – cash talks. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!

An “International beauty prize winner”, the Kaiser Manhattan was an unusual and stylish car in its day. It was immediately recognizable and it still is today; at least for anyone over, ohhhh, age 50 maybe? 60? 70? Or just for car guys and gals who know vehicles from the 1950s. It doesn’t look anything like a Ford or Chevrolet at all, thanks to famous designer Dutch Darrin.

Now that’s a rear bumper, wow! Starting under the Kaiser-Frazer company’s Frazer division in 1951, the Manhattan model soon switched over to the Kaiser side. They came in a two-door sedan and a four-door sedan as seen here by that time, and if you don’t mind answering questions every time you get gas, it would be fun to own one. This car looks great in the photos, but Facebook Marketplace photos typically aren’t the greatest, so it’s really hard to tell. The seller only mentions that it needs paint as far as the body goes.

The unusual (another unusual feature) dashboard is padded so your forehead doesn’t leave an imprint, or the other way around. The seller is very light on photos, both literally and figuratively so this is about it for interior photos. They do show a close-up of the driver’s view of the steering wheel and gauges, and what looks like a perfect headliner, but that’s it. Based on those three photos, I’m pretty bullish on the quality of this interior, what say ye?

Speaking of bullish, how cool is this engine!? A red supercharger? Yes, please. This is a Continental-sourced 226-cu.in. L-head inline-six, which with the McCulloch supercharger puts out 140 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. This one is backed by a Borg-Warner T-86E three-speed manual with overdrive sending power to the rear wheels. The seller says the brakes are bad but it starts, runs, and “lot drives” and this looks like a nice weekend project to me. Hagerty is at $10,100 for a #4 fair-condition car and $18,000 for a #3 good car. How much is this one worth?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Todd J. Todd J.Member

    This looks pretty nice, from what we can see. And that red supercharger – sweet!

    Like 15
  2. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    I like the dash and instrument panel. I like everything about the Manhattan, especially the widow’s peak windshield treatment.

    Like 19
  3. Steve McRorie

    Remedial math time … 2024 – 1955 = ? (last US built Kaiser)

    Like 3
    • Bunky

      Since I was born in ‘54, I’m ecstatic to discover that I’m actually only 60! Woo Hoo! 😃

      Like 4
      • "Edsel" Al leonard

        OK Scotty, you missed how long ago the last Kaiser was made..add 10 years to your math..:>)

        Like 1
    • Scotty GilbertsonAuthor

      Thanks for your kindness and understanding when someone has a simple typo, much-appreciated, guys. (whew)

      Like 5
      • Chuck Simons

        Oh to be 10 years younger

        Like 0
  4. Lee Noga

    If I lived close to you I would buy it. But unfortunately I don’t.
    Lee

    Like 1
  5. Gary

    My parents’ first 2 cars were Kaisers and the 2nd got them from Pgh to LA. These cars had styling and ergonomics WAY ahead of everything else back then.

    Like 7
  6. CCFisher

    Had Kaiser invested in the V-8 its engineers designed instead of the Henry J, the supercharger would have been unnecessary, and the company’s fortunes may have turned out differently. Instead, the engine wound up being the basis for AMC’s 250 V-8, after one of the engineers ended up there.

    Like 5
  7. charlieMember

    Without the supercharger they were gutless, they could not get copper for the radiators, suspected conspiricy by the big 3 to put them out of business, but well built, even pop-out windshield, Cord had it too, so when your head hit it in a crash, you were not decapitated by the glass. Yes, before safety glass and seat belts, it happened.

    Like 7
  8. John Frazier

    “Starting under the Kaiser-Frazer company’s Frazer division in 1951, the Manhattan model soon switched over to the Kaiser side.”
    Where does that leave my ’49 K-F Manhattan?

    Like 1
  9. CarbobMember

    Another oddball car; so count me intrigued. Lots to like here as much of the car appears to be in presentable condition. The supercharger (at least as long as it remains operational) is a neat feature. The manual transmission with overdrive is desirable at least for me. If this were mine; I’d want to have a good repaint professionally done. It would really help with the presentation but it is probably not economically viable. I think that only old boomers and certified young lug nut heads would be able to identify the car. This is one that I would like to include in my fantasy car collection. I could park it next to the Bathtub Nash! GLWTS.

    Like 7
  10. "Edsel" Al leonard

    Again people, Why FB???????????? most oldsters like me have nothing to do with zuckerberg!!

    Like 8
    • Todd J. Todd J.Member

      It’s free to list on FB, for one thing, and the site gets a lot of eyeballs. And most people don’t care if they’re helping to make plutocrats like Zuckerberg and Bezos and Musk even richer than they already are.

      Like 2
      • "Edsel" Al leonard

        free doesn’t mean better….and scammers are more likely to hit that site..plus real car guys don’t buy/sell on FB..just sayin.

        Like 3
    • BimmerDudeMember

      This oldster has used FB to sell smaller stuff because it generally gets a better local audience and I’m not interested in shipping speakers or other bulky stuff. I also use Craigslist, same local targeting & better politics.

      Like 1
  11. Johnmloghry johnmloghry

    It was a beautiful spring day in 1955 when 8 year old me looked out the living room window of the L-shaped farm house my dad built. To my amazement a brand new green car was parked in front of the house. I knew my. Dad would never ever buy a brand new car so I meandered out with my older brother to check it out. I had never seen any car that looked like it, long, low with the Widow peak windshield. We walked around the car looking inside the windows to see the green seats and dash board. Suddenly a woman came out of the house smiling and asking do you like my car? We didn’t know who she was but she seemed nice. Then we learned she was a relative that had come for a visit. She told us the car was a Kaiser Manhattan a name I had never heard before. She opened the front drivers door and lights automatically came on much to my surprise. Our dad’s 39 Dodge didn’t do that. It was so beautiful I was in love with the car at that very moment. Oh how exciting life seemed at that time in my eight years of life. She must be rich my brother whispered to me, and I nodded in agreement.

    God Bless America

    Like 13
  12. scott m

    2 Marcos’s, a Triumph Stag, and a Supercharged Kaiser Manhattan- I’m going to have to buy another lotto ticket!

    Like 2
  13. CarbobMember

    Just sold my 1993 Jeep YJ on FB. Sold in less than 24 hours at near my ask. I’ve sold and bought lots of stuff on FB. Also Craigslist. Never had a problem with either site.I checked with Barrett Jackson about the Jeep but they didn’t seem interested. Lol.

    Like 1

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