Author Topic: 55 Kaiser Manhattan  (Read 2206 times)

Mr Manhattan

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55 Kaiser Manhattan
« on: September 08, 2016, 10:33:04 PM »

Carpenter

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2016, 10:50:02 PM »
Seems a bit pricey.  No interior photos.

Carpenter

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2016, 08:35:45 AM »
Thanks.  3K would seem fair, considering transportation from Utah, and whatever condition exists inside.

Carpenter

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2016, 08:37:33 AM »
Does anyone know how many 54-55s were painted white?

Fid

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2016, 09:17:08 AM »
The car pictured in the ad does not have a '55 hood scoop on it so it's doubtful that it even is a '55. Many CL sellers go by what they think it is, or by what "a friend told me it was..." A '55 Kaiser has one distinguishing feature - a higher center fin on the hood scoop and a couple of smaller ones to each side - the car in this ad clearly lacks that feature so unless the seller posts the tag / serial info I seriously doubt it's a '55.  The seller may  have seen a '55 pictured somewhere and concluded that's what he has but did not notice  the hood scoop was different. Unless I saw the tags, I would not pursue this one if I was looking for a '55.

Regarding how many were white, if  you look at the picture of the car where it shows the driver side front fender you can see the white has flaked off and under is the original green paint.  You can also see this on the hood where the white has worn through.  It looks like Tropical Green - a lot of '54s were that color.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2016, 07:37:24 PM by Fid »
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

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Carpenter

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2016, 02:54:34 PM »
Fid, it is my understanding that ALL 55s were delivered BEFORE the 55 hood ornament was installed...it was an after market item...and it was up to the dealers to install it.  Some did not install them, so they ended up wth the 54 hood ornament.

Carpenter

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2016, 02:56:22 PM »
Jake, photo has no comments...???

Fid

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2016, 07:52:05 PM »
Quote
Fid, it is my understanding that ALL 55s were delivered BEFORE the 55 hood ornament was installed...it was an after market item...and it was up to the dealers to install it.  Some did not install them, so they ended up wth the 54 hood ornament.

Partially correct. According to Earl Hudson's article in the Volume 41, number 2 KFOC Quarterly, some were sold and delivered with the new scoop and some were not.  And you are correct, there are some out there that did not get this update. 

In any case, I would still want to see the tags, or have the seller post the serial number before pursuing it as a '55.
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

Need your classic car radio repaired? I repair vacuum tube radios

Mr Manhattan

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2016, 08:09:36 PM »


He states the supercharger is missing . That information lowered the price )

Carpenter

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2016, 08:37:04 PM »
Fid, I saw the green coming through too..but...could be that the car was damaged and replacement parts were green.  Truth will tell us.

mbflemingkf

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Re: 55 Kaiser Manhattan
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2016, 08:38:56 PM »
I spot green paint at the top of the LF wheel opening!  8)

Numbers will tell us, including whether its a 55 or a 54.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2016, 08:40:52 PM by mbflemingkf »
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1954 Kaiser Manhattan, 4 Door (Now in FL)
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1953 Kaiser Manhattan, 4 Door (Now in Australia)
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