The early Frazer Manhattan models were available as either a four-door sedan or a four-door convertible and carried a look that was not shared with sister Kaiser models. The sedan resembled a convertible with the top up as it had minor creases at the B- and C-pillars, meant to evoke convertible top bows. A 226-cid, 115-hp six-cylinder engine was used, and the motor was mated to a Hydra-Matic transmission for the first time. For 1952, the Manhattan name was shifted to the Kaiser nameplate, and the car received a markedly different exterior that was consistent with the rest of the brand. Most notably, a pronounced dip adorned the center of the windshield and rear glass, and the grille had a simple top bar that curved around the front fenders. 1953 saw a McCulloch supercharger standard on the Manhattan’s old flathead six, which boosted output to 140-hp. Even so, sales dropped to 4,325 Manhattans. By 1955, it was all over. Only 1,231 supercharged Manhattans, in both sedan and club sedan variants were built that year, with 1,021 being sent to Argentina. The tooling was sent down to Buenos Aires and the Kaiser Manhattans continued to be sold in South America until 1962 as the Carabella.

Today, the 1955 Manhattan is among the most rare of all 1950s automobiles. This sedan is one of 226 such cars built for the United States. It has been well-maintained and shows a nice patina that can only be achieved with time. The seats have been re-upholstered while the door panels and floor mats are likely the originals. Also in an original non-restored appearance is the dash, which shows light wear and age. It features the supercharged inline six-cylinder engine, an automatic transmission, AM radio and glovebox-mounted clock. There is none more elusive than the 1955 Kaiser Manhattan.