This 1954 Kaiser Manhattan is one of 4,107 four-door sedans produced for the model year with a 226ci inline-six equipped with a McCulloch VS57 centrifugal supercharger. This example reportedly spent time in Kansas and Colorado before it was purchased by the selling dealer in 2025. The car is finished in two-tone green over gray and tan upholstery, and additional equipment includes a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, “Safety-Glo” taillights, and a push-button AM radio. This K542 supercharged Manhattan is now offered in Bremerton, Washington, with a Colorado title.
The Manhattan was updated for 1954 with styling cues that were reportedly based on the 1951 Buick XP-300 show car. This example was delivered from the factory in Jade Green with a Signal Green roof (462) and features chrome bumpers and overriders, “Safety-Glo” taillights, bright rocker and window trim, a three-piece wrap-around rear window, chrome fender badges, A-pillar-mounted mirrors, an antenna, and a faux hood scoop. The selling dealer notes corrosion on the left fender and quarter panel.
Green-painted 15″ steel wheels wear chrome Kaiser-branded hubcaps, and they are mounted with Cooper whitewall radial tires. The Manhattan rode on a 118.5″ wheelbase and featured a coil-sprung front suspension and a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs out back. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes that were serviced recently, according to the selling dealer.
The Manhattan cabin was restyled for 1954 with a full-width padded dashboard, an inverted U-shaped speedometer, and aircraft-style hand controls. The front and rear bench seats on this example are trimmed in green and tan patterned vinyl with gray patterned inserts. Tan and green door panels are fitted along with a green headliner and carpets. Additional equipment includes a push-button AM radio, a heater and defroster, and a locking glovebox. There are tears and a stain on the front seat, and the clock does not work.
The black two-spoke steering wheel features chrome accents, and it frames a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 24k miles, approximately five of which were added by the selling dealer. Total mileage is unknown.
The Kaiser-branded McCulloch VS57 centrifugal supercharger was introduced for 1954 on the Manhattan’s 226ci inline-six, which was renamed the Super Power Six for this application. Output was factory rated at 140 horsepower.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission that was sourced under license from General Motors.
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