1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan: A Classic American Car Review

1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan Browse the article 1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan

1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan

The trend-setting 1951 Kaiser got a newly named top-line series the following year: the 1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan. A pleasant facelift included a heavier bumper/grille combination, smooth teardrop taillights, and little chrome rear fender fins on the 1953s. Color was strongly featured for 1952, and reemphasized for 1953 with attractive upholstery combinations of boucle cloth and straw-pattern vinyl. These are among the nicest Kaisers to drive: very roomy, and remarkably frugal with gas.

Pluses of the 1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan:

• Exceptional styling
• Low running costs
• Smooth road cars

Minuses of the 1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan:

• The tinworm likes rocker panels and floorpans
• Cloth upholstery hard to duplicate
• Optional hyper-fast power steering needs constant driver correction

Production of the 1952 Kaiser Manhattan:

• 4-door sedan: 16,500
• 2-door sedan: 2,000
• 2-door club coupe: 500

Production of the 1953 Kaiser Manhattan:

• 4-door sedan: 15,450
• 2-door sedan: 2,500
  (Breakdowns estimated. Total 1952 production, including DeLuxe models: 26,552; 1953 Manhattan: 17,957. One Traveler 2-door utility sedan found; no volume production.)
  

Specifications of the 1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan:
Wheelbase, inches: 118.5
Length, inches: 208.5 (1952), 211.1 (1953)
Weight, pounds: 3,185-3,71
Price, new: $2,601-2,654 (U.S.)

Engines for the 1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan:

Type Size
Horsepower
Years
sv I-6
226.2 cc
115/118 1952-1953
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