Eric Gordon's 1954 Kaiser Convertible Conversion

The year was 1964 and 19 year old Eric Gordon, a boy from New Jersey
wanted a convertible.
The following page shows how he got one.

Eric Gordon's 1954 Kaiser
Convertible Conversion

ERIC GORDON'S '54 KAISER CONVERTIBLE
APPROVED BY DESIGNER "DUTCH" DARRIN

On my nineteenth birthday I bought a used '54 Kaiser Manhattan right off a
New Jersey automobile dealership's showroom floor. Originally this car was a 2 door
Sedan. And I made it....converted it to a "Convertible" (vin # K542-002380).

Yes, I just started with a hacksaw, pliers, chisel, hammer and screwdrivers.
Yes, and a huge amount of youthful "can do" enthusiasm-optimism and not to forget that
nebulous elusive naiveté. Without that I would have never gotten started.
What puzzled me back then, and, yes, even today, is:
Why was a '54 Kaiser taking up space in a dealership's showroom;
almost a decade had passed, since this 2 door Sedan was new?
I saw this car late one evening while getting off a crowded expressway, and driving
through town. It took up the whole show-window and looked phenominal and
mysterious the way it was lit with hidden spotlights. That night I could not sleep much.
I only thought about the '54. I had never seen one, and knew they only made very few.
I had gotten a really bad case of the incurable "Kaiser-Fever."
After all, I was already driving a '51 Kaiser which I liked tremendously.

At that time my family lived in an apartment and our cars were parked in city streets.
It just so happened that my mother bought a "summer cottage" a month earlier, some
forty miles outside the city, three miles from a lake. This "country-place" inspired me
to want a convertible. It had to be a car with very special lines, low-long-sleek.
My mother also liked the looks of the '54 and said :
"...almost like a brand new car...but where will you be able to park it?"
"At our summer-place, " I replied. "But we don't even have a driveway?" she said.
"So? So I'll build the driveway first." The next day I bought the 2 door Kaiser.
And now, let the following pictures, each tell a thousand words, and more...

OH ! Kaiser designer Howard "Dutch" Darrin's approval ?

Once I finished building the Convertible, I volunteered for the U.S. Air Force, and was
stationed out West, Nevada. I used my Kaiser as a daily driver on base, 99 per cent of
the time the top was down, I even upgraded the transmission to manual with overdrive.
After serving honorably, I settled down in Southern California. There, years later, upon
a chance visit with friends to Santa Monica's Park, I noticed a distinguished elderly
gentleman taking snapshots of my Kaiser Convertible.
(I had heard that "Dutch" Darrin lived somewhere in Santa Monica).
"Are you "Dutch" Darrin by any chance?" I asked the gentleman.
"Yes, I am. I designed this car, but we never built a convertible !" Darrin looked closer
at my Kaiser, then said: " Very good... this is excellent work...who built this?"

"Mr.Darrin, I did it...I am the "redesign... ahh...reworker," I answered.
Then I showed him a small photo album of the conversion work
I carried in my glove compartment.

He then invited me and my friends to his house. I parked in his driveway. I listened
with my friends of all the cars he told us about that he had
designed and showed us photos of them.
Many were especially custom made by him for Hollywood-Stars and personalities.

Next to my car, in his driveway, was a new Volvo which he was at
that very moment in the process of redesigning.
That familiar "chrome slash" across the grill?
"Dutch" told me personally :
"In our mechanical automotive world, everything is balanced. Right and left,
top to bottom, all is equally balanced. This "slash" violates an unspoken code,
your eye is drawn to this, therefore, this Volvo becomes more visible........"

Reflecting upon this decades later, I realize I truly was in the presence of one of
the great "genius" automotive designers.

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 writings, computer sending and pictures for the above named internet pages.
(Saturday 26 March 2005.)

	...."where will you...park it?" questioned my mother, "...we don't even have a driveway," "So? So I'll build a driveway first..." It took two truckloads of earth first to come up to basement window. All work done with bucket and shovel. And then two more truck loads of grading-gravel.

	This is what I started with. Chrome is already removed. The entire top, including all the windows are going to be removed.

	"Yes, I just started with a hacksaw, pliers, chisel, hammer and screwdrivers. Yes, and a huge amount of youthful "can do" enthusiasm-optimism and not to forget that nebulous-elusive naiveté. Without that I would have never gotten started..." Backseat interior removed and carefully start to separate the tinted 3 piece rear window. ( Which I have to this day, stored in my present home's basement).

	...........carefully stored in my present home's basement. Tinted 3 piece rear green glass, still in excellent condition, can be used for both 54 & 55 2 and 4 door Kaiser Manhattan models.

	...this is..."actually just a hack-'saw' job." Very difficult. After trying neighbor's borrowed power tools, to no avail, I returned to using a hacksaw and many blades. Here lies the roof strength, each pillar took most of one day's work.

	Gordon's body shop. All of the conversion I could do was done here.

	Neighbor Andy-boy helps with taking photos now that the roof is sawed off. Kaiser windshield still in place...next: door window frames get hack"sawed" off. Vent windows remains for now. Kaiser gets driven to Mine Hill Auto Body Shop to have '52 Cadillac convertible windshield "professionally" welded into place. (Shop also removes the rest of Kaiser frame and windshield). By the way I removed a '52 Cadillac convertible frame with a broken windshield, with that hack saw at an auto salvage place and bought a good used window off the shelf for body shop installation, The "top" frame I will be installing later.

	Convertible now back from Mine Hill Body Shop, and Andy-boy shows new Cadillac windshield and frame installed, while Kaiser "wing" windows still in place. Windshield is 1 and 1/2 inch shorter on left and on right (3 inches total) than the Kaiser windshield. (Also 3 inches shorter in the height of that trademark Kaiser "heart-shaped" window). Further, the Cadillac window is curved 2 and 1/2 inches towards hood, just clearing the hood.

	Meanwhile other work needs attention. Old trunk paint stripped down to the metal.

	It is amazing what a few coats of silver rust-inhibitor paint can do.

	Mine Hill Body Shop will section in new rocker panel Gordon's body shop will remove (notice 2 to 3 inch gap) Kaiser vent or "wing" windows. ....." standing proud.....

	.........that I finally have a Convertible...... "wing" windows completely removed also installed "top"frame.

	Chrome and tail lights removed 52 Cadillac convertible "top-frame" installed...

	Cadillac windshield is 1 and 1/2 inch shorter on left and on right (3 inches total). It is also 3 inches shorter in the height of that trademark "heart-shaped"Kaiser windshield. Further, the Cadillac windshield is curved (bowed) 2 and 1/2 inches towards hood, just clearing the hood. Chrome trim for bottom of Cadillac windshield is slightly altered to fit the wiper motor rods of the Kaiser wiper mechanism which remains.

	Cadillac top has chrome closures to fasten top-frame to top of windshield.

	This is where the folded (now manual) top is stored in the down position. Wheel-wells were hammered down - 3 inches- to allow smooth frame fit for custom cover. Rear window storage panel is completely removed.

	Bottom right shows hammered down wheel-well. Backseat braces folded and spot welded to back- seat brace panel which was shortened by 6 inches. Back of backseat "hanger" fastening hooks remain.

	The bottom of back seat remains. The top of back-seat has one entire row of springs removed (6 inches) to adjust seat to convertible conversion, and that top folds properly. Two rows of springs on each side of back of backseat are removed to allow space for top-folding frame. Rear of top frame is fastened to side panel with brace behind panel for strength of movable manual top. (Side rear windows & mechanisms removed completely).

	Some body work needs to be done

	Rear panel "tack-welded" back to braces then" bondoed" before undercoat is applied.

	Before and after photos Drums cleaned and painted with silver rust inhibitor



	All the chrome and tail lights are removed, 52 Cadillac convertible "top-frame" now installed

	......now my work is getting difficult: the side windows mechanisms for Kaiser and Cadillac do not fit. Door insides need to be removed completely.

	All Cadillac side windows I found in various North Jersey salvage yards were electric. So I "lucked" upon 52 Buick Convertible door mechanism with windows, that was manual. Front doors carefully "gutted".

	....I carefully measured the length and height of the chrome framed Buick convertible window & mechanism. Size fits within half of an inch, that of the Kaiser window with "wing window". Kaiser door insides on left, Buick on right.

	Kaiser has now Buick mechanism on inside both doors, carefully screwed and tack welded to the "frame" of door insides. Kaiser door handle "bar/rod" mechanism is now fastened to Buick panel of inside of door. Window and "Wing" handles/cranks are now Buick.

	I spot-welded the "wing" window in place. Mine Hill Body Shop will clean that up before the under coat gets painted. After final paint Kaiser door "elbow chrome" gets reinstalled Buick Convertible windows are trimmed in chrome.

	Part of Kaiser "Wing" frame is used as base for the new"Wing"(slightly bowed inwards), to make up for the 1 and 1/2 inch shorter Cadillac windshield left and right. Note the rough beaded spot weld ready for Mine Hill Body Shop's finishing work.

	Cadillac windshield & Buick convertible door glass fit now perfectly Cadillac chrome trim (bottom of windshield) is slightly altered for Kaiser wiper rods mechanisms which remains.

	Front windows are now installed and fit perfectly, including rubber grommet of convertible frame, when manually rolled up. (Now I can "anchor" the rear frame support bolts).

	Driver's side window installed Floor cleaned and painted. Windshield dash uses both Kaiser and Cadillac modified bottom window trim ("wing" still on back seat). Top frame installed.

	The top portion of a 53 Lincoln bumper has a "dip" in the center. 54 Kaiser front "splash pan" also has a similar dip. I though they make a better match: to show more of the inverted grill.

	Chrome for lights is back now and needs assembly.

	Rear bumper is now together, front grill next.

	Chrome is ready to be installed.

	Copies of these pictures were given to the Convertible top and upholstery shop.

	Starting to look like a Convertible A bed sheet helps the "top-shop" envision the convertible top I have in mind. The car on the right: ".....I was already driving a '51 Kaiser which I liked tremendously."

	A bedsheet approximates design for top shop

	Top up or top down I need a cover...

	Mine Hill Body Shop came up with: 61 Ford hood, turned backwards & cut to fit opening with anchor bolts on each side.

	Top cover 61 ford.... Metal cover is lifted off manually. Convertible top is folded down manually....

	.....then cover fitted back over folded top. 2 anchor bolts secure front of custom metal cover on each side. AND NOW? To the "Convertible Top & Upholstery Shop."

	AND NOW? To the "Convertible Top & Upholstery Shop."

	Backseat cut and fitted to convertible top frame. Folded top bars invade rear space by 11 inches, they will receive "custom fitted gloves" from upholstery and top-shop, in the same leatherette as interior, attached with push-snap buttons.

	" QM" I called my Convertible symbolically christened by "Hudson river's waters" real "....."Queen Mary" in Hudson river........", off to become a floating hotel in Long Beach, California. And I in my "QM", off to "....the U.S. Air Force ....out West, Nevada ...." I decided on silver blue leatherette for seats and side panels....royal blue for carpeting and door bottom trim. Back from convertible top & upholstery shop. White top now installed. Back window and cover panel still need work. Mine Hill Body Shop painted standard gray/brown undercoat.

	Inside door trim and handles are 52 Buick convertible.

	The convertible is finally back from the paint shop...

	A "Jersey Boy" did it. I built myself a Convertible from an already great looking low-long-sleek 2 door Sedan.

	The top portion of a 53 Lincoln front bumper has"center dip," 54 Kaiser front "splash pan" also has a similar dip. I thought they make a better match than the original (since 51 used) Kaiser bumper. Also shows more of the stunning, inverted chrome grill.

	New top, windows, upholstery, new short-block engine #908059 (special serial number 10 000 004) New, lower 14" wheels and tires.

	I picked a 58 Oldsmobile silver blue metallic paint Interior leatherette is a perfect match.

	The top is finally complete.....

	........with a clear plastic rear window that is zippered in.

	Down by the Hudson Riverside in Weehawken, N.J. across from midtown Manhattan for this "Manhattan" for a "Première Photo Session". Notice the very special 3/4 "red-walls" inside the 3/4 "white-walls" of the new 14" tires and wheels.

	I installed on the left rear bumper a large antenna, since I had removed all chrome, names and emblems, mirrors and trunk handle; which, now operates from a special cable on the driver's side behind the seat.

	Hubcaps and some of the stainles steel, that "skirts" the car on both sides, still needs to be installed.

	.....folded top frame/bars invade the rear space by 11 inches. Custom fitted "gloves" are especially fabricated by the upholstery shop in the same leatherette as interior, and fastened with "push-snap" buttons when top is down.

	Now all the stainless steel has been installed, and the new red-wall and white-wall wheels and tires sport some new hubcaps.

	Leaving the security.......

	..........of my New Jersey

	environment, including Somerset County's Bonnie Brae (Beautiful Hills) of Liberty Corner........

	.....Bernardsville, Weehawken, Lake Hopatcong, the pristine beaches of the......

	Jersey Shore. To now head on a 2,500 mile trip. To trade all this for..........

	..........rugged western mountains.....

	....like the San Gabriel mountains...

	....taking in the gigantic view at this overlook and taking some photos....

	..... in California's Los Angeles area .......

	..... or the western blue mountains of the Nevada desert.

	....taking a look (while having my picture taken) at the "50 miles plus" view from Nevada's Mount Charleston <12,000 ft above sea level>

	Pleated sunvisors match the interior.

	The silver metallic leatherette interior matches the paint perfectly. True to the 2 door Kaiser front seat design, partial back seat is finished in ivory pleated leatherette, to match the padded (safety already in 54) dash fabric and color.

	" .....I used my Kaiser as a daily driver on base. 99 percent of the time the top was down...." Slush box out, and jeep stick on the floor manual transmission, with overdrive, in. New flywheel and drive shaft especially turned at a Las Vegas local speed shop. Once finished, I volunteered to serve my country in the USAF. After basic and tech training in Texas, I was assigned to a Nevada AF base. At the base's "Auto Shop," I installed a jeep transmission.

	Manual transmission with special bushing. Bushing also turned by local Las Vegas speed shop.

	".....I even upgraded the transmission to manual with overdrive." Jeep transmission floor shift shown.

	Off duty, I attended many car shows here.

	...or I enjoy a rest from the desert scenery in this "green-green" North Las Vegas Park.

	The airbase was frequently exposed to heavy wind gusts and sand storms. I had a full tonneau cover custom fitted.

	Lake Meade "One final look at beautiful Lake Meade, before..........

	.......... I leave Nevada, and settle down in Southern California."

	....I start going to College in Long Beach, California. College friend Checky invites me to his parent's home in Mexico City for Christmas vacation. It is a 1954 mile one way trip. We visited the world famous "Universidad de Mexico."

	'Pyramid of the sun' (3rd largest on earth) in Teotihuacan. My convertible drove on the "oldest <100BC> road" on the entire American continent, both north and south. Checky's father & sister in convertible. (Drive back to Calif. took another 1954 miles in my 1954 car).

	".... I showed "Dutch" Darrin a small photo album ....I carried in my glove compartment..." (Mr. Darrin only saw my Convertible conversion with the top in the down position).

	....in the late 70's I had the Convertible painted again. This time a Mercedes Benz "Midnight Blue".......... I also left the 50's fender skirts off...

	A 4 door '54 Kaiser "Special" was made into this convertible in the 1990's by Bill & Gail Blair.

	Even earlier versions have survived after more than 55 years. "Coachbuilder" Raymond H. Dietrich built this "prototype" from a 1951 Kaiser 2 door Club Coupe hoping Kaiser Frazer might be interested in his fabrication. Unfortunately nothing came of it.

For family reasons Eric had to trade this car for an airline ticket back East,
to help his mother who had gotten very ill; twenty-five years ago.
Ever since then he had tried to locate his Custom Convertible.
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
Eric had built/rebuilt this convertible in the early 60's.
It is now stored in a barn and needs lots of TLC. There are no major damages,
as these pixtures show..........

!!!!Coming Home !!!!
The following announcement was received from Eric Gordon
on the 28th of April 2006..
<> NEWS <> CONVERTIBLE NEWS <>

DRIVING TO PENNA / RENT U-HAUL
TOW MY 54 KAISER CONVERTIBLE BACK TO CONNECTICUT /
THE PRESENT OWNER CALLED / WE MADE A REASONABLE $-DEAL

Eric is packed and ready to go
Check back here for more details as they come in.

I do believe the KFOCI slogan should be:

THE IMPOSSIBLE WE DO AT ONCE
MIRACLES TAKE A LITTLE LONGER

THE IMPOSSIBLE:
My '54 Kaiser Convertible I built in the 60's was found only 99.9 mi from where
I modified a 2 door coupe into a convertible. I had to sell it 25 years ago for family reasons.

THE MIRACLE:
Convertible was found in Jan 06 and bought and transported to my home on 29 April 2006 :

The MIRACLE WORKERS:

Charlene Dayton who took down all the info at a KF meet at Kent Falls, CT in 1991
(yes >1991) and said: "Our club has ways of finding ..."
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,
and extra special THANK YOU to Glenn Love !

Eric Gordon KFOCI # 9378

"E-mail"

THE MIRACLE OF GETTING
A CHANCE TO REBUILD
MY CAR AGAIN, 20 YEARS LATER
So Click on the pictures below to continue the story of the complete rebuild

Click here to watch the progress being made in restoring this one of a kind car

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