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 Manhattan was powered by a 226 cubic inch inline-6 which was available with a supercharger that increased output from 110 to 140 horsepower. This sharp-looking example is said to be a barn find and appears to need nothing more than a new owner – and a key to the trunk! Located in the commercial district of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this rare automobile is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,500. Kudos to Barn Finder T.J. for the cool tip!
Henry Kaiser and George Frazer got together in the late ‘40s and created a car company named after themselves. One of their most notable autos was the Henry J, an odd-looking compact that was sold at a time when the demand for such cars hadn’t yet been cultivated. As an independent automaker, they found it hard to compete with Ford, Chevy, and Chrysler and quit building cars in 1954 (though some were sold by dealers as ‘55s). That included the luxurious Kaiser Manhattan which only saw 4,100 copies built during the Swan Song year.
We don’t know the history of the subject vehicle. If it was a barn find, the seller might be a dealer and has cleaned it up for a collector to take possession. Besides the supercharger, it has an automatic transmission which would have been supplied through a deal that K-F had with General Motors. We’re told the car runs well and is very quiet, and only had two previous owners.
Since the seller does not have a key to the trunk, there’s no telling what treasures may lie within, but the supposition is a cache of new parts. The body, paint, and interior look quite good, but the photos could do a better job of presenting the car. The two-tone paint stands out really well and other than a little dirt on the door panels, the interior is quite inviting. If you’re looking for a vintage auto that isn’t likely to be duplicated at the next car show, how about this Manhattan?
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Comments
The obvious question is why not call a locksmith to see if they could open that trunk? Failing that, why not take 5 minutes and remove the back seat, and you’d be looking right into the trunk.
Ummmm…that would be JOSEPH Frazer….
My Kaisers were earlier models, so I’ve never driven a supercharged version. The regular “six” was sufficient for highway cruising, and the four-speed Hydro was excellent.
Wish I could afford this!
The hand writing was on the wall, K-F was going down, but you have to admit, they threw everything they had at this car. Supercharging an antique engine, may have sounded good, but no match for V8s. Supercharging does little for low end, and with a flatheads low rpms, almost useless, and why turbocharging became popular. That aside, look at it, it’s a beautiful car, almost unconventional in every way. You see how that fared with the public. Sure would make a statement wherever you went. Quite a find.
But what about that tubbed out Vega sitting behind it?
And the Super Stock Dodge ???????
Vega…? Try Buick Apollo.
@Russ Dixon It was Joe Frazer not George.
No, it was actually Fraiser Crane.
370zpp,
Nope, K-F never made commercial vehicles or industrial equipment like cranes! LOL
Had a restored ’51, basically the same car. Drove it to a K/F meet in Jackson TN on the backroads, no issues. Coming back in convoy, another owner with exactly the same motor in his Frazer convertible decided to hit the interstate, so I did too. A couple of exits later engine was at 220 and I had to pull off. That car did not like to go over 55, probably needed a radiator. One day I had breakfast at Burger King and was immediately surrounded by old guys asking about the car. An hour later I had sold it and am still not sure how that happened. Watched the car deteriorate under the old guys shed for the next two years, finally disappeared, probably when he assumed room temperature.
Advanced styling and ergonomic dash. Nothing else looked like it in 54. Sadly the 6 cyl held these back.
I always thought that supercharging a flathead was a good idea since they don’t breath well and they had low compression, hopefully the bottom end is strong enough to handle it.
This wasn’t the first time a supercharger was added to this engine as this was the same engine Graham used. They put one on in the 30’s but a completely different set up. K-F was built from the ashes of Graham of which Joe Fraiser was president and steel baron Henry Kaiser wanted to go into the car business after the war and partnership was born. But it seems in mid 50’s Americans wanted OHV V-8’s and the old flatties were on the way out. Packard, Studebaker and AMC each developed their own V-8’s but in the olng run it didn’t seem to matter. I remember reading that K-F was working on one too but stopped when they “saw the writing on the wall” and decided to concentrate on newly acquired Jeep. Rumor was the lead engineer went to work for AMC and developed their V-8 that “very” similar in design?
Sorta like the old song, “The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time” a Frazier in the carport early next morning, is hard to explain….As in the case of the Henry J, it was either “Before It’s Time” or too late.
As a 10 year old kid running around Tarrent City AL, alone, I just couldn’t stay away from the KF dealership……….and would go back in a NewYork minute. Still the most beautiful automobile I’ve ever seen.
Not sure, but by the rear tail lights and the wrap around rear window…could this actually be a 1955 model?
Sean,
There are only 2 differences between the 1954 and 55 Manhattans.
1. Serial number [VIN].
2. Chrome hood scoop has minor differences on some examples.
Taillights are the same.
Unsold 1954 Kaisers were issued replacement 1955 VIN plates. If I remember correctly, No Kaisers were built in 1955, as the factory had been closed down in 1954.