Kaiser Model History

United States · founded 1945

A pioneering postwar American independent (1945–1955) — first to the market with a modern full-envelope body, and home of the supercharged Manhattan and the fiberglass Kaiser Darrin.

Models

Special

Kaiser's core full-size sedan — among the first all-new postwar American cars, with a modern slab-sided full-envelope body.

Full-size car · 1947–1955
Manhattan

Kaiser's top-of-the-line sedan — and, from 1954, the first US production car offered with a supercharger.

Full-size car · 1951–1955
Traveler

A sedan/wagon hybrid with a fold-flat rear seat and a two-piece rear hatch — often cited as one of the first American hatchbacks.

Utility sedan · 1949–1953
Henry J

A pioneering low-cost American compact named for Henry J. Kaiser — also sold by Sears as the Allstate.

Compact car · 1950–1954
Darrin

A fiberglass-bodied roadster with sliding doors — the second American fiberglass sports car after the Corvette, built for a single year.

Sports car · 1954–1954

Other makes