1951 Frazer Manhattan Convertible Sedan

The Frazer automobile was built from 1946 through 1951 by the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation of Willow Run Ypsilanti, Michigan. Along with Crosley, these were the first American car with a new envelope body and new postwar styling. The Frazer was named after the American automobile executive Joseph W. Frazer who was now president and general manager of Kaiser-Frazer. Styling was handled by Howard 'Dutch' Darrin along with help from other Kaiser-Frazer stylists.

For 1951, the Frazer models were dramatically restyled with body styles including a four-door convertible, a hardtop sedan, and the Frazer Vagabond (a unique hatchback sedan). All Frazers were essentially hand-built at the Kaiser-Frazer facility.

This Frazer, serial number 002, is the second example built after the new 1951 Kaiser-Frazer models debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1950. It is believed that it was owned and driven by Henry J. Kaiser during his time in Michigan and even accompanied him to Hawaii in 1955. The car was later acquired by an owner in Texas, where it resided until 1989 when it was sold to an individual in Maryland. The car has never been completely restored. The odometer currently shows 66,000 miles which is believed to be original.

Power is from a Continental-derived Supersonic six-cylinder engine offering 115 horsepower. There is a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The power top is hydraulically operated, as are the windows, and there is a push-button radio, heater, dual windshield post spotlights, directional signals, and backup lights.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2015