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In 1945 California industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and automobile executive Joe Frazer answered the call of the American consumer’s postwar demand for cars, and mounted the last real American challenge to Detroit's Big Three automakers. They produced two-door sedans, compact coupes, and some modified race cars.
Kaiser adapted the model name “Manhattan” for top-of-the-line Kaisers from 1952 on. Sporting exceptional styling and luxurious details like front-to-rear chromed body mouldings, streamlined hybrid grille/bumper, and a tuck-away spare tire well, the Manhattan easily outsold its earlier “Deluxe” stablemate in spite of its higher price. The Manhattan became famous for “Anatomic Design”, a comprehensive design theory that emphasized the comfort and safety of the passengers. Unprecedented driver visibility and expansive passenger leg and head room gave an affordable level of comfort and control to passengers.
The 226-ci 115-hp Kaiser Supersonic High-Torque provided 115-hp, and came standard with Kaiser’s column-mounted manual transmission; overdrive could be added for improved fuel economy and a smoother ride. A third option offered the Hydra-Matic Drive automatic transmission, which truly put the Manhattan’s styling and design in a class of its own. And with dual-throat carburetion, the Manhattan proved remarkably fuel- efficient for its size.
(07/13/2005)
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