When the sports car craze hit America after World War II, what passed for a sports car could be very different from company to company. At Chevrolet and Kaiser, a sports car was a traditional chassis with a sporty… more»
Kaiser
Sep 23, 2024 • Auctions • 16 Comments
BF Auction: 1951 Kaiser Special Collection
I hope we never have to worry about the term “post-war auto production” again, but it was a real thing in the mid-40s and Kaiser was ready. While most manufacturers were introducing 1942 models as “new” 1946 models, Kaiser… more»
Aug 17, 2024 • For Sale • 9 Comments
1 of 435: 1954 Kaiser Darrin Project Drop-Top
Small European sports cars were starting to catch fire in the early 1950s, leading Chevrolet to pioneer the Corvette as an American-made alternative. Fledging independent manufacturer Kaiser-Frazer also got into the act with the Kaiser Darrin, the second of… more»
Jul 13, 2024 • For Sale • 19 Comments
Rare Drop-Top: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
The post-war American vehicle manufacturing industry was vibrant as companies struggled to meet the demand placed on them by buyers deprived of new cars since early 1942. The first genuinely new models began emerging in the late 1940s, but… more»
Jun 18, 2024 • For Sale • 30 Comments
Chevy-Powered 1954 Kaiser Special
When it comes to Kaiser Motors, a lot of the attention seems to focus on the one-year-only Darrin offering the company produced in 1954, a low-production fiberglass two-seater that’s deserving of all the praise it receives. However, the brand… more»
Jun 6, 2024 • For Sale • 8 Comments
Supercharged Project: 1954 Kaiser Manhattan
One of the more interesting cars of the 1950s was the Kaiser Manhattan. It was the top-of-the-line product to emerge from Kaiser-Frazer Corp., first badged as a Frazer and later as a Kaiser. It could be ordered with a… more»
May 1, 2024 • For Sale • 27 Comments
1954 Kaiser Manhattan Supercharged Sedan
1954 was an unusual year for Kaiser Motors Corp. It can be confusing to identify the exact model as many were rebadged 1953 models, but this 1954 Kaiser Manhattan Supercharged Sedan is a K-542 so there’s no confusion here… more»
Apr 17, 2024 • For Sale • 20 Comments
32k Mile Survivor? 1968 Jeep Jeepster Commando
Launched in 1966, the Jeepster Commando SUV was designed to compete with the likes of the Ford Bronco and International Scout. It did fairly well until after Jeep was acquired from Kaiser by American Motors, but demand began to… more»
Apr 9, 2024 • For Sale • 37 Comments
Supercharged Sedan: 1954 Kaiser Manhattan
“The only ’54 car for under $6,000 equipped with [sic] supercharger. the ’54 Kaiser’s performance must be experienced to be believed. Developed with Kaiser and McCulloch engineers, Kaiser’s supercharger is controlled by a solenoid switch on the accelerator. It… more»
Dec 2, 2023 • For Sale • 17 Comments
Supercharged Six! 1954 Kaiser Manhattan
The Manhattan was a top-end car with Frazer badging built by Kaiser-Frazer after World War II. Production of Frazer-branded cars ceased in 1951 and the Manhattan then became a Kaiser product (but as the same car). In 1954, the… more»
Oct 23, 2023 • For Sale • 17 Comments
Middleman Marketed Vagabond: 1949 Kaiser Vagabond
As earlier generations pass from this Earth, their survivors must deal with their estates. The problem for many of the ones tasked with closing things out is that few of them are car people. This is where a middleman… more»
Aug 16, 2023 • For Sale • 21 Comments
Post-War Compact: 1951 Kaiser Henry J
The small and economical Kaiser Henry J may have been the right car but at the wrong time. The assumption after World War II was that buyers would scoop up thrifty cars in large numbers. Instead, with years of… more»
Aug 4, 2023 • Auctions • 30 Comments
BF Auction: 1951 Kaiser Deluxe 2-Door Sedan
It would generally be fair to expect any classic with over seven decades under its belt to look slightly frayed and rough around the edges. However, this 1951 Kaiser Deluxe 2-Door Sedan is an exception to that rule. It… more»
Jul 7, 2023 • For Sale • 48 Comments
As Rare As It Gets: 1960 Kaiser Carabela Funeral Car
And now for something completely different. Have you ever seen or heard of a Kaiser Carabela? Me neither. In addition to old vehicles found in barns, sheds, and carports, Barn Finds also feature survivors, drivers, projects, parts cars, fully-restored… more»
May 29, 2023 • For Sale • 13 Comments
1 of 1,315? 1952 Kaiser Manhattan 2-Door
Kaiser-Frazer Corp. was the result of a merger of two automotive independents in 1947. The Manhattan was the top-of-the-line car within Frazer until that brand was discontinued in 1951, after which the Manhattan lived on for two more years… more»
Apr 9, 2023 • Auctions • 54 Comments
BF Auction: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
UPDATE – The seller has added more photos! Included with the car are an original owner’s manual, a factory parts list, vintage photos, and brochures. There are several strategies a car company can employ to bolster flagging sales, from… more»
