The Special was actually a version of the Manhattan and its design wasn’t entirely new for 1954. Kaiser had a big stock of unsold vehicles in 1953 so it changed a few parts on the existing bodies to create a new model.
It might sound lazy, but the sharp, concave grille and the bowed taillights made the sedan stand out among sedans from the era. The bubble-style roof and the arched beltline that became really low toward the rear add to its unique look as well.
Sadly, the Special arrived at a time when Kaiser was already struggling to survive. Frazer left the company in 1951, sales began to drop when GM and Ford launched their first new cars after World War II, and its six-cylinder engine was underpowered.
Kaiser halted U.S. production in 1955 with less than 8,000 Specials built. Many of them didn’t survive, so the Special is actually a rare automobile, but it will never become as desirable as other Detroit-built cars from the era. But it will always stand out as the unpopular car that’s different and downright beautiful.
