Kaiser stats for 1954-55

[jake]

stats:

Pluses of the 1954-1955 Kaiser Manhattan:

Last of the line
Advanced styling, interior design
High comfort levels
Quick for a standard-size six-cylinder car

Minuses of the 1954-1955 Kaiser Manhattan:

Heavy front end, heavy steering without assist
Supercharger was too much for the engine and reliability suffered
Still no V-8 or hardtop

Production of the 1954 Kaiser Manhattan:

4-door sedan: 3,860
2-door sedan: 250
(est. breakdown; total 1954 production: 4,110)

Production of the 1955 Kaiser Manhattan:

4-door sedan: 226
2-door sedan: 44
(does not include 1,021 export 1955 4-door sedans)

Specifications of the 1954-1955 Kaiser Manhattan:
Wheelbase, inches: 118.5
Length, inches: 215.6
Weight, pounds: 3,265-3,350
Price, new: $2,334-2,670 (U.S.)

[Roadmaster49]

...and yet so many 1954 and 1955 Kaiser remain. 

[Logan]

Interesting in general that so many low production cars of all makes remain.  It seems that some of the really mass-produced but less distinctive cars, such as the '57 Chevy, remain in large numbers because there were millions (or about a million '57 Chevys, I think) produced, so that not too high a percentage of the total has to be saved to preserve the model.  While others, such as my former '53 Dragon, of which only 1,200 were produced, are appreciated for their exceptionality and are preserved at a much higher ratio.

[Roadmaster49]

Logan
You are correct.   

How many times have we posted links to 54 Kaisers and a few 55's - on the forum. Scattered all over in various conditions. A lot of members have them.    I don't think I will own a 54 Kaiser because I prefer the 53 styling but I like seeing them and even purchased a frameable ad for one. I need to get that framed. It has a 2 tone blue 54 Kaiser at the docks. 

I would buy that one sellers 55 Kaiser (last produced) but price means it won't ever change hands.  I like "last of's and 1st of's".   There is a 1st car produced 1955 Packard Patrician on the Packard forums that was in a garage for 25 years.

In Texas.  The seller reached out to the Packard community briefly and the car was for sale for a bargain price of $500.  Nobody went to get it and it is now with a project yard dealer for $3500.  Production 1001, meaning the 1st V8 Packard made in the senior Patrician series.  Now probably over-priced and deteriorating outside.

[Roadmaster49]

No one can dispute the appeal of the 55-57 Chevys but Logan is correct their survival rate is poor compared to some KF products.