1954 Kaiser in Jake's Neighborhood

[Roadmaster49]

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4452321242.html

I am amazed so many 54's survived. 

Call Bob on this one at 402-862-5114

[Roadmaster49]

That's a nice color of green on the lower and proof that KF kept up with the Jones' in terms of color offerings.  Was that a metallic color or straight enamel?   Was C Spencer still in charge of colors and fabrics in 1954?  Or had he left by then? 

[mbflemingkf]

54 Special made up of left over 53's; not a true 54 like in the 54 Manhattan or 54 Late Special.

[Fid]

The '54 early Special was a left over '53 Kaisers so it lacked the wrap around rear windshield and had a '53 Manhattan upholstery and trim.  It also had the '53 Manhattan dash instead of the '54 type which had the "airplane" controls.  Even though it was a Special, it had the fancy Manhattan (albeit '53) upholstery.  "One of 65?"  I wonder where the seller got those numbers?  There were about 2000 early '54 Specials.  I see the latest handbook lists 65 in the registry, which to me does not mean "one of 65."  One of 2000 is still pretty rare. We had one, it was in rough shape but ran fine. I remember dad paid $35 for just to get the radio!  It was rusted out beyond repair but had a good working Hydramatic in it which was also saved.

[joefrazer]

I once owned a 54 Late Special that had all of 13K miles on it. The car was abandoned in a parking lot and every kid in the neighborhood threw at least one rock at it per day. Every panel had dents and every piece of glass was broken. But, it was 100% complete right down to the keys and parts from it kept several others on the road.

[Roadmaster49]

Fid
As always, interesting comments.  The car is at least 1 of 1999 since you had one that is no longer with us.

I never knew the differences between the early 54's and the late's.  You experts kept tossing around the phrase "early Special" but I never bothered to look up the information about the differences.

[Fid]

This is the one we had. It was a real dog so we named it "Boo" after a popular song at the time



The bottom section was painted with a brush and you can see most of the rust around the bottom. There were no floors in it!