1953 Manhattan at Auction

[joefrazer]

Not mine...this one is selling at auction in Minnesota. At this writing, bidding is at all of twenty five cents. It needs a driver's door but that's not hard to find.

https://www.proxibid.com/Collector-Cars/Classic-Vintage-Cars/1953-Kaiser-Manhattan-4dr-Sedan-K-532-003886/lotInformation/48890282

[joefrazer]

A couple more at the same sale.

A 48 Kaiser Special
https://www.proxibid.com/Collector-Cars/Antique-Cars/Kaiser-for-Project-or-Parts/lotInformation/48890293

Its neighbor, a 49 Kaiser Special. This one has an exterior visor and the original, hard to find, jack looks to be present as well.
https://www.proxibid.com/Collector-Cars/Antique-Cars/1949-Kaiser-4dr-Sedan-for-project-or-parts/lotInformation/48890292

[Fid]

Beardsley, MN is a long ways from me but if I could get that '53 Manhattan for 30 cents I'd make the trip!

[joefrazer]

More from the same sale...

51 Deluxe
https://www.proxibid.com/Collector-Cars/kaiser-4dr-Sedan-for-project-or-parts/lotInformation/49205699

49-50 Kaiser
https://www.proxibid.com/Collector-Cars/Kaiser-fgor-project-or-parts/lotInformation/49205689

[Roadmaster49]

I bid on a couple of cars at this auction but passed on this 53 Manhattan but agree it is getting passed over because of that door. Even with a good door this car likely could be had for $500 or less and to me it shows a lot of originality.

There are so many in demand cars at this auction that I see the KFs getting neglected. For me, cost to transport to central Iowa would be about $2000. 

[Roadmaster49]

I like that it is a single tone Jade Green car. That color in my opinion really pops when it is fresh but always looks a little typical faded 50s color when in this condition.  That interior looks decent as is.

[joefrazer]

The 53K fetched $1100...good for a car needing some work. The 49K brought $500 and the 48K saw a high bid of $600. Second 49K and a 51K both saw no bids.

[Roadmaster49]

That auction brought eyebrow raising price results. On all makes.

[blackcat429cj]

I grew up approximately 10 miles from where the auction was located.

I remember as a teenager going to see his collection and seeing this car. 

Once the auction started there were only two bidders,  myself and an online bidder. Having the chance to examine the car I actually upped my bid. 

I was able to go out west and actually work a little on the car today and am quite pleased.  So far I have only found surface rust.  The door my even be saveable.  It needs new door hinges.   Cars this clean are normally not found in Minnesota.

Last licensed in 1958.  It came with an original K key, and title card.

Mitch Lewis LM 3684.

53 Manhattan Tropical Green/Stardust Ivory
53 Manhattan Jade Green
71 Cougar XR7 Black 429CJ
71 Cougar XR7 White/Blue 429CJ
73 Cougar XR7 Con Lt Pewter/Black 351CJ 4spd

Past Cars
51 Henry J  Deluxe aloha green
54 Manhattan palm beach Ivory/island green
54 Special (late series)  Arctic white
54  Darren yellow satin
68 Mercury Park Lane  lime Frost/black
71 mercury cyclone spoiler bright red 429CJ

[blackcat429cj]

Another View

[Roadmaster49]

Mitch.  That is great news.  That would have been a fun auction to go to.

[joefrazer]

Looking at the pictures, I think the car was well bought. The cosmetic stuff it needs is readily available and won't break the bank. Keep us informed of its progress!