Summary

Spectacular 1954 Kaiser custom Special 2 door Resto-Mod with a bare metal respray, all new running gear, power steering, power disc brakes, air conditioning and premium stereo. A very rare automobile that is also very easy and fun to drive.

Details

This 1954 Kaiser custom Special 2 door sedan is said to be one of only 250 such 2 doors built in 1954. It has a Manhattan chassis, body and interior combined with '54 grille and taillights. Later 1954 Specials featured a three-piece rear window and less special interior. This particular car has been with the prior owner for 15 years during which it received both cosmetic and mechanical restorations, the latter which includes fitment of a 290hp GM crate 350 and Turbo Hyrda-Matic 350 automatic transmission. 12-volt electrics, front power discs and air conditioning were also added, along with several other well-integrated and hidden modern conveniences listed further below. Professionally repainted in 2005, the car was taken down to bare metal prior to respray in Copper Mist under a Cream colored top. Additional jobs included fully replated chrome (including pot metal), polished stainless and bespoke OEM style wheels designed for modern radials. All original plastic trim including the cool checkerboard headlight rings remain in good shape and overall the car looks very straight with excellent paint, panel fit and brightwork. The cabin has been redone in 1953's style with correct bamboo effect vinyl upholstery sourced from SMS Fabrics, while inserts are non-original but NOS 50s era brocade. Originally a manual equipped model, the car has been fitted with an original Kaiser automatic gear selector steering column, and though modified in order to work with the retrofitted GM trans, it retains a neat factory appearance. An aftermarket, under-dash air conditioning unit blends in visually and blows very cold, while upgraded sound is offered by a hidden Blaupunkt head unit powering six speakers and a separate subwoofer. The factory radio was kept in place, and though carpets have been replaced, the original headliner remains. Starting with a Fatman Fabrications front subframe, the car was built up with a crate 350/290hp small block Chevy and matching THM350 automatic. Both have less than 1,000 miles since rebuild and are fed by fresh fuel lines and tank, while other rebuild work included a new radiator, brake lines and 12-volt wiring harness/charging system. Boosted front discs are complimented by power assisted steering. The wide white radials have similarly low mileage to the freshened drivetrain and side glass is all new.