Eric Gordon's
1954 Kaiser Manhattan Rebuild
Eric Gordon of New London County
CT bought this Kaiser from a
classic car collector, from
Providence in 1996.
"What I had my eye on, was an
early 40's Packard convertible that used to be
Gen. Pattons last personal car.
I was impressed by the metallic green and beige
near new paint. "He had that
especially mixed for himself," said the classic car
collector, "this I'll never
sell." Then we drove to a warehouse in Providence.
And there it was, a Kaiser Manhattan
1954 four door sedan.
"It used to be the Show Car
for the country-western group "Oak Ridge Boys."
This I have not been able to
verify. State of Colorado, towns like Craig, Delta,
Mancoa and Denver were on the
certificate of title, though.
I told the collector that my
first car was a '51 Kaiser. Then I bought a two door
'54 Manhattan and rebuilt
it into a convertible. I even met Howard "Dutch"
Darrin in person who congratulated
me: "..... great convertible conversion,
we never manufactured them...."
After showing the collector
the photos and documentation, he was extremely
reflective, gave me an excellent
offer on the four door and said, "I think you want
to relive your youth.
A lot of folks who buy cars from me go back to their
first ....." (I think
the photos and papers, and my teen-like enthusiasm played a big
part in getting a really good
deal. The collector had over 50 automobiles.)
After obtaining papers and plates
at the DMV, and all the neighbors inspected
my "new" classic Kaiser,
I first started with the necessities. It needed new shocks
and while on the lift of a nationwide
auto repair a fuel tank line suddenly broke.
Well, I found a repair shop
willing to work on it. They made it sound like it was
practically "the end of the
world is coming." Three months later I finally had my
car back. I think it was good
for the shop to have an antique there for all to see
and some to stop by and ask
questions. Good for their business.
So, I have to handle this differently.
A neighbor told me about a garage nearby
that specializes in Street Rod
Fabrication. And this is where I started with the
12 volt conversion. Then came
the paint job. I looked through hundreds of paint
samples, thought about
the Patton Packard, and decided on GM's dbu 3334,
Silver Fawn Firemist metallic.
(I left my classic car first "baby-steps" behind).
This garage informed me about
books and magazines and how and where to
obtain NOS (new old stock) parts.
A whole new, exciting world opened up for me.
Then came power steering, and
power brakes, a new 350 Chevy engine with the
700R4 transmission with overdrive,
rear axle; and, and let the pictures speak a
thousand words each. And not
to forget the various Classic Car Clubs. They
are ever so helpful with facts
and parts, ideas and fantastic stories.
I came to realize that I could
buy or sell just about any parts I needed.
And no more expensive than if
I had bought parts for a brand new automobile.
And then came the internet, which
makes anything possible, even this
page which I want to share with
the rest of the Kaiser enthusiasts."
c copyright 2005 by
Aigle Books
POST SCRIPT:
ERIC GORDON, Writer, Editor, Publisher of
Aigle Books, Place ST. Georges, Paris, France GIVES HEREBY
PERMISSION: for John MacDonald- "Sympatico
Mail" <johnmd1@ns.sympatico.ca> and ,sharon@summerville-
novascotia.com. to use my writtings, computer
sendings and pictures for the above named internet pages.
(Saturday 26 March 2005.)
| After a nearly 20 year search,
Eric's car was found by a Kaiser-Frazer
Club member. On January 14th 2006 the present owner allowed Eric and this K-F Club member to view Eric's car and take some snapshots.
Surprisingly, it is only 99.9
miles from the New Jersey driveway where
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The following announcement was received from Eric Gordon on the 28th of April 2006.. <> NEWS <> CONVERTIBLE NEWS <> DRIVING TO PENNA
/ RENT U-HAUL
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THE IMPOSSIBLE WE DO AT
ONCE
THE IMPOSSIBLE:
THE MIRACLE:
The MIRACLE WORKERS: and gave me a good luck wooden nickel from Vermont. Chuck & Betty Hucker: encouraged me to join KF in 2005. Jane and Don Gordon: invited me to KF meet Spring 2003. Larry Barker: "We will find it, no problem." Mike and Karen Barker: Aug. Kaiser Frazer '06 Calendar. Dave Hollen: very wise encouragements per "e-mail". Rudy Phillips: 1st sighting in San Diego, phoned. Norm Canfield: letter writing campaign. William Brown: insert in his internet www.kaiserbill.com Vern Ludwick: 2nd sighting, Santa Barbara, phoned. Dale Johnson: a previous owner phoned & gave leads. Dieter Ballogh: 3rd sighting Los Angeles, phoned. Gary Micanek: phoned with info & encouragement. Mike Lovy: donated KF literature since 1966. Barbara Mueller: KFOCI editor inserted a photo of car in Jan '06 Bulletin that convinced Gene Webb to call about whereabouts of car & helped with towing. And Canadian John MacDonald owner of: http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Kaiser/ THANK YOU and others not KF club who
helped,
Eric Gordon KFOCI # 9378 "E-mail" |
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A CHANCE TO REBUILD MY CAR AGAIN, 20 YEARS LATER |
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Eric and his fiancée Brigitta
would like to present you with the
following series of pictures
of the rebuild
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| We've all seen
them but how many times have you considered a mobile
home?
If you want to find information on modular homes or mobile home loans than there is only one place for you! Sign online today and be on the road tomorrow! |
| Related Information |
1954 Kaiser Manhattan
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Fall Pictures of Eric's 1954
Kaiser
Eric wanted to show the rare
paint that was used in the rebuild, GM dbu-3334
.... well
here it shows the "changing color"of the paint under different lighting
conditions.
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The first step is to take the car to the shop and start with some steering and engine work
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where most of the work was done. Eric did a lot of it himself including changing carburetor, etc. |
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ready for installation top right this auto store wheel is not in keeping with my "motto of rebuild": "ORIGINAL WITH MODERN UPGRADED MECHANICAL" and decided to install a Cadillac wheel instead Bottom ".....I found a repair shop willing to ...." repair gas tank "... No the world did not end..." "Three months later I finally had my car back..." |
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Right: "I managed to paint undercarriage with special undercoat rust preventative without a lift. The extreme difficulty also stems from the special, unusual paint consistency." |
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Right cowling black box: fuse cluster assembly |
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1961 Peugeot windshield washer. |
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specially fabricated in the speedshop |
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Easy access for new V8 |
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into place for 350 V8 (top right): Old steering gear still visible. Engine mount fabricated and welded for 350 V8 Peugeot windshield washer container on right (bottom left): Undercoating inside of trunk (bottom right): Engine bracket ready for 350 V8 |
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Top left: GM 700R4 Transmission: 4 gear automatic + overdrive (Top right): Mechanic installs new 350 V8 (bottom left): engine mounts for 350 V8 fabricated and welded into proper place, old steering gear on right (bottom right) : new 350 V8 |
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(especially shipped in from Ohio) for radiator <and visible running engine parts> modified to fit upper front brace of engine compartment..." |
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now a tent garage (11x20x8) Where I do all my installation and repair work. |
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upgraded for larger '350 Chevy engine' cooling capacity...." |
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for new "Flex-a-lite fan" made out of nylon..." |
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housing including very front of inner cowling... |
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paint gloss-black. New nylon blade... |
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..."flex-a-lite" fan adds longevity to water pump due to fan's extreme light weight, strength and flexibility; rated at 8,000 R.P.M. |
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Bracket kept and totally refurbished... |
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can and does run into slight problems like horn bolts, they just break off; some can be reworked... |
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in complete rebuild/upgrade of radiator by "Olde Tymers Auto Radiator" Lynn, MA |
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I design/engineer a cradle/brace/bracket for a new external transmission cooler..... |
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behind the front grill... |
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radiator indicates '54 and Kaiser.... |
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with a new core of 57 water cells times 2 per line for better cooling of the more powerful 350 Chevy V8 engine... |
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now sports a modified, chrome safety shroud for "flex-a-lite fan" <and visible running engine parts (especially shipped in from Ohio).... |
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can be quickly removed with brass "wing-style" fasteners, for easy access to front of engine... |
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work returns to complete some of the "RonFrancis/ Wire Works" 12 volt conversion system, except for the 6 Volt windshield wiper motor, kept original, by now using a 'step down' (from 12V to 6V) transformer coil. |
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and safety wired. |
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from 12 Volts to 6 Volts for windshield wiper motor. |
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It needed new shocks."......a heavy duty 9 " Ford rear axle installed with a special manufacture drive shaft to fit GM 700R4 transmission |
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It needed new shocks."......a heavy duty 9 " Ford rear axle installed with a special manufacture drive shaft to fit GM 700R4 transmission |
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Only small section of Kaiser's heavy duty "X" frame needed cutting for dual exhaust A new support brace for
transmission is
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After the mechanical work and that nice wiring we move on to the interior
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New front seat cover/carpet A-OK |
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2000 Miles On New 350 V8 |
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setting indicator |
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hand-brake on right side, so passenger could reach it...." |
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There is one on each side |
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vent window fans in more air. Another one of our fine 50's style drive-ins closed Bottom: Gray trunk-felt carpeting under resized oriental Chinese carpet, with "beading" from 1961 Peugeot door trim hammered as edging |
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to mount this mirror. A Kaiser feature |
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to mount this mirror |
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(31 inches) tail light |
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Now for a little exterior work.
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lights on any passenger car in automotive history. even has night visible from the side. |
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remanufactured reproductions |
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Factory "enamel" stripped to bare metal The undercoat: standard light gray + brown paint: Silver Fawn Firemist metallic urethane (GM dbu-3334) then clearcoat. |
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body undercoat: standard light gray and brown bottom: Silver Fawn Firemist metallic urethane Heat lamps give the silver paint a "golden glow" |
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specially modified oriental carpet Top right : NOS (new old stock) taillight shipped from Arizona still in original (50 yr old) box. Bottom left: My first project in 1997 after refurbishing and painting the underside and seat springs, was to sew on a new dept store bought seat cover. |
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the spare tire compartment underneath. I also s secured a fire extinguisher to the left rear interior panel. (Federal law in Mexico demands a fire extinguisher in every motor vehicle! The US of A and Canada should have the same law.) |
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AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY |
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on 54/55 Models although the back glass taller. |
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and walks away. Right: The angle of the
camera can make angles
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During the rebuild Eric had help from various sources including the following.
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And after all that work this is the end result.
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"The "Yankee Region" of the KFOCI (Kaiser Frazer Owner Club International) graciously allowed me as "Guest -Visitor" for their meet at the "World Famous Clock and Watch Museum"in Bristol, Connecticut in Spring 2003." |
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KAISER-FRAZER OWNER'S CLUB INTERNATIONAL honored me by having, for the second year, a photo & paragraph of one of my cars. (In 2006 my convertible was so honored in the month of August). This year my 4 door Manhattan is one of the photos (right) of the 2007 KF Calendar Cover. {shown here with permission of KFOCI Calendar Editors Mike & Karen Barker} |
Eric decided to enter his Kaiser in the "Time Machine Car Show"
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A CHANCE TO REBUILD MY CAR AGAIN, 20 YEARS LATER Use the links below to watch the rebuild of this Kaiser Convertible |
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He took a few days off the rebuild to celebrate the United States' Independence Day, July 4'th. |
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...celebrating "Manhattans"...my
convertible since I was a teenager, and celebrating 10 years of restoring
the 4 door sedan...
< I worked and lived in Manhattan for a while > |
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INDEPENDENCE DAY ! Party time
2006 !
Matching baloon ( drifted in from our baseball stadium ) and a blue bow for the convertible. |
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...if all cars had a "Disney" personality ? |
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...excellent view of the Cadillac windshield on my convertible.. |
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...and the Lincoln front bumper |
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...these two would certainly celebrate... |
Eric has made a change and has moved from Connecticut
to Florida
Here are some tips from Eric that might help other
move an antique car.
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PLACE CAR ON car-hauler in dry weather, once it rains, it is difficult to drive the car onto ramp...right driving wheel tends to spin on the metal. While placing car hauler at a slight 45 degree angle, one is still able to extend loading ramp from rental truck. In rain ~ use an "old" carpet ~ might need to cut it once car is on traile |
"chafing" of paint is possible... |
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in warmer climates. (Eric Gordon in front of his new home in Florida). |
in my new Florida home.... |
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in my new Florida home.... |
(Florida DMV issues only one license plate). |
Once Eric got settled in he had to check out the local car shows
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registers gets a car "dash plaque" |
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of show they would vote for my Kaiser Manhattan, and... |
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