1955 Kaiser Manhatten Club Sedan

The short-lived Kaiser-Fraser Corporation, founded in 1945, began making automobiles after World War II. In 1953, Kaiser obtained Willys Overland and renamed the new company Willys Motors. Its final year of auto production in the United States was 1955.

This vehicle is a very rare 2-door Manhattan sedan equipped with many options. It is number four of 44 examples produced. It was a Kaiser executive's personal automobile.

Renowned automotive designer Howard 'Dutch' Darrin was responsible for Kaiser-Frazer designs. The 1955 Manhattan was given a facelift of the original Darrin design that had been introduced in 1951. It was given all-new sheet metal forward of the cowl, wrap-around rear window, large 'Safety-Glo' taillamp with illuminated lenses running on top of the fenders, and a new interior. Power was from a 226 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine fitted with a McCulloch supercharger and offering 140 horsepower. The car rode on a 118-inch platform, and pricing started at $2,334. Sadly, very few examples were produced as production ended partway through the 1955 model year.

This Kaiser Manhattan is finished in Ivory and Copper Dust. It is number four of only 44 built in 1955 and was originally purchased by a Kaiser executive. It was once part of the famous Harrah's Collection.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2015