The 1952 to 1953 Kaiser sedans took the moniker "Manhattan" that was the top of the line Frazer model with Frazer ceasing production in 1951. The uniquely designed Manhattan crammed in all the luxe and safety features making a superbly handling and safe automobile only lacking in an 8 cylinder option. An agreement with Oldsmobile to supply their Rocket V8 was nixed by the DOD directive that Olds focus on war related production supporting the Korean War. This left Kaiser with its 226 cid flat head "Supersonic 6" that, but 1953 had managed to squeeze 118hp out of it. That engine made its debut in the prewar Graham and was widely used in military Jeeps, tractors, fork lifts and Navy bilge pumps. For Kaiser's last years of US production and sales, a McColloch supercharger that boosted horsepower to 150. That last generation lived on whenKaiser moved lock, stock and barrel to Argentina where the Manhattan with its last face lift continued to be produced into the '60s as the Carabela. The Manhattan offered a slew of safety features that included:
a uniquely low center of gravity with only 22" of clearance.
Overly large 11" brake drums.
the windscreen designed to pop forward in a crash.
Tail lights that doubled for side markers with a special trunk light for changing tires at night.
Specially designed glazing size and angle as well as a sloping so object within 10' would not be obscured.
A fully padded dash with no protruding knobs.
This particular model offered all the options available including dual spot and rear view combos, wire wheels and a luxe interior package. I have H-61's more modestly equipped Manhattan in blue.
When questioned about poor sales Henry Kaiser famously said, "Slap a Buick nameplate on them and they would've sold like hotcakes!" This HW61 model was a real testament to the company's willingness replicate orphan makes. Â
Many of us know that a 1/18 4-door was planned (and advertised! ) but sadly never materialized. I love mine (blue ) but never managed to remove the (beautifully done ) spare from the trunk.Â
I have seen others in which the spare wheel pops right out. 🤔 🤔 🤔Â
@chris The last face lift in '54 to '55 is the iteration I absolutely fell in love with. The concave baleen grill with the faux hood scoop as well as the elongated tail light assembly made it an absolute stunner in my mind. Back then, there was nothing like it on the road.
An excellent look at this sensational Highway 61 model ! I am also delighted to have these two colors of these cars and also a light green one. I wish the Dragon would have come about from H61.
I am sure the 1/24 Kaiser Dragon looks great. A nice one to have !
I had heard the story that Highway 61 had measured a supposed four-door Dragon and made preparations to convert the mold over to that automobile but it turned out the automobile they measured was actually a converted 2-door Manhattan and this then deep-sixed the entire project at a late stage.
I think the issue was that the real automobile had now become a rarer and very desirable lower production Dragon, which could then have something like the "bamboo" type interior and other Dragon exclusive options. It is too bad it apparently sidetracked the very cool project.
I believe I had already pre-ordered a Jade green one. A quite rare and good-looking automobiles and it would have also been an exceptionally nice replica.
The 1952 to 1953 Kaiser sedans took the moniker "Manhattan" that was the top of the line Frazer model with Frazer ceasing production in 1951. The uniquely designed Manhattan crammed in all the luxe and safety features making a superbly handling and safe automobile only lacking in an 8 cylinder option. An agreement with Oldsmobile to supply their Rocket V8 was nixed by the DOD directive that Olds focus on war related production supporting the Korean War. This left Kaiser with its 226 cid flat head "Supersonic 6" that, but 1953 had managed to squeeze 118hp out of it. That engine made its debut in the prewar Graham and was widely used in military Jeeps, tractors, fork lifts and Navy bilge pumps. For Kaiser's last years of US production and sales, a McColloch supercharger that boosted horsepower to 150. That last generation lived on whenKaiser moved lock, stock and barrel to Argentina where the Manhattan with its last face lift continued to be produced into the '60s as the Carabela. The Manhattan offered a slew of safety features that included:
a uniquely low center of gravity with only 22" of clearance.
Overly large 11" brake drums.
the windscreen designed to pop forward in a crash.
Tail lights that doubled for side markers with a special trunk light for changing tires at night.
Specially designed glazing size and angle as well as a sloping so object within 10' would not be obscured.
A fully padded dash with no protruding knobs.
This particular model offered all the options available including dual spot and rear view combos, wire wheels and a luxe interior package. I have H-61's more modestly equipped Manhattan in blue.
