1954 Kaiser Manhattan Update

[Barnum]

The Kaiser made the trip from Washington State to The UP of Michigan. Started on its own power to transfer to my trailer. Hope to have it inside today to really get to look it over. Another Kaiser saved !! here are a few pics of its trip  http://www.flickr.com/photos/47203801@N08/sets/72157623246759467/

[hollenway]

Glad to see the car made the trip in one piece ...  With the weather we have been having I'm sure it had an interesting trip.   Best of luck with the project !!!!

[Barnum]

Thanks,It was an interesting trip,for me and the car hauler I met in Flint. Overall, the car will make a good driver after it gets cleaned and serviced. It's my plan to have this car  for a long time to come No doubt I'll be here often.   Taylor

[Barnum]

 Figured I'd update again.  After changing all the fluids, plugs cap etc , the car starts and runs on its own. The supercharger was not hooked up and the carb box was missing. I'm in the process of setting it up while I wait for the box to arrive.While the brakes did come up , I'll have to go over them.Whats has really been amazing is, that the weather has been unusually good here for this time of year. So good , that I have put about 50 miles on the car and its going to be the driver I had hoped it would be!!. This site, and the people I have made contact with through here, have been a great help. Here are a few pics of the car  running at its new home.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/47203801@N08/sets/72157623461249539/

[Fid]

You gotta love those '54s!  Nice looking car, even if I've had enough snow for one winter myself. I haven't taken any of my old cars out yet but it's in the high 40s here and the snow is burning off.

[jsgmpeek]

Looks good, how is the interior and the chrome?  Do you plan on completely restoring the car or bring it to safe running condition? The colors remind me of the 53 two-door that once was in our garage.   Best wishes, john

[pnw_oldmags]

John,
What happened to the 53 2-door that once was in your garage??
Jim

[Barnum]

For a show  car the chrome will have to be redone.The stainless is nice with a few dings. The interior is in surprisingly good shape. I'll post some pics after I get the chance to clean it up a bit from its long storage. It has been painted once in its' life and eventually will need a repaint. I too like the color combo.What you see is the way it got here from storage , with just a hose off. The long term plan will be to do all of that, but mostly be able to drive it anywhere. John, where in snow country are you ? What did happen to that 53 ?   

[joefrazer]

I like that 54! The white over blue was, in my opinion, the best two tone done on the 54s. But then again, I'm a bit biased!
My 54 -> http://www.kaiserfrazercars.com/54kman.JPG

[Barnum]

Here's the Kaiser on its first Sunday drive in 20 years!  It's at Point Iroquois Lighthouse on Lake Superior.

[84RabbitGTI]

I love your car.  Reminds me of the "one that got away", that I didn't buy, back in 1991. I still can't let it go...

[Barnum]

Thanks, I hope mine will look that good . Where did you see this one ? I really like this color combo

[84RabbitGTI]

A KFOCI member was selling it in 1991 near Des Moines, Iowa, I forget where exactly.  The interior was really nice as was virtually everything about the car.  To me, the novice with only experience driving European cars, it felt spindly and fragile.  Now that I've had time behind the wheel of a car of this vintage, I realize that most everything I found wrong with the car was simple to repair/replace.  If only I had known. 

[Barnum]

I think we all can say that....so when this one came along  I took it. While it will need lots to be a show car, I'm happy  I can bring it back to a running ,driving car

[kndllmtt]

Hey, I think I saw this on ebay a few months back, If it is I may have bid against you a couple times.