Kaiser

Supercharged Survivor: 1954 Kaiser Manhattan

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… more»

Sliding Doors and a Kissing Grill: 1954 Kaiser Darrin

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

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»

Barn Finds