1953 Kaiser Manhattan Custom Pickup Truck

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve. 

Henry J. Kaiser was one of those larger-than-life individuals. Prior to World War II, Kaiser was involved in the construction industry, building the Hoover and Grand Coolee Dams. Kaiser Shipyards constructed Liberty ships during the war at record speed, and he created Kaiser Permanente healthcare. By the time of his death on 24 August 1967 at age 85, Henry J. Kaiser had founded more than 100 companies, which operated in 32 states and 40 foreign countries. Of course, in the car world Kaiser was best known for his automotive ventures - specifically his designs from the early 1950s. Different from any Kaiser offered through his dealership network at the time, this 1953 Kaiser Manhattan four-door sedan has been converted into a pickup, surely at considerable expense. They removed the Kaiser’s top behind the front seats, filled in the rear doors, added 1954 Kaiser front sheet metal and the tailgate from a Kaiser Traveler, and lined the bed with hardwoods.

Highlights 

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection 

• Believed to be the only 1953 Kaiser Manhattan sedan converted to a pickup truck 

• George Barris emblem on passenger “B” pillar 

• 1954 Kaiser front sheet metal and Kaiser Traveler tailgate 

• Continental 226 cu-in L-head “Supersonic Six” engine 

• Dual-Range Hydramatic automatic transmission 

• Kelsey-Hayes 40-spoke wire wheels 

• Tonneau cover with embossed Kaiser logo 

Features 

• Emerald Green Dragon style interior 

• Padded roof and tonneau cover 

• Curve-Master power steering 

• Neva-Lok wrap-around bumpers 

• One-piece Safety-Mounted windshield 

• Safety-Cushion padded instrument panel 

• Safety-Glo taillights 

• Push button AM radio 

• Antenna 

• Heater/defroster 

• Turn signals 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

• Brakes are currently not operational 

• No hood pad 

• Minor paint chips 

• Sun visor arms pitted 

• Steering wheel pitted and cracked 

• Door sills scuffed 

• Dent on passenger side rear quarter chrome 

• Cracks in paint on and below the tailgate 

Included 

• Rear bed/tonneau cover 

• Car show-style information board 

Ownership History 

This 1953 Kaiser Manhattan Custom Pickup Truck was acquired by The Karlock's Collection in 2007.

Additional Notes 

Title in Transit.

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment.   

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot. 

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.   

Contact: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com