SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                                                
                                    FORM 8-A

                FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                 Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


                     Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1997-A
                     ---------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)


             Delaware                                13-2633612
          -------------                              ----------
     (State of Incorporation                      (I.R.S. Employer
      or Organization)                             Identification No.)     


      802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware               19801
     -------------------------------------------            ---------
        (Address of principal executive offices)            (zip code)


     Registrant's Telephone number, including area code:  302-575-5033
   
                           
 If this Form relates to the           If this Form relates to the registration
 registration of a class of            of a class of debt securities and is to
 a class of debt securities            become effective simultaneously with the
 and is effective upon filing          effectiveness of a concurrent 
 pursuant to General Instruction       registration statement under the  
 A(c)(1) please check the              Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to 
 following box: X                      General Instruction A(c)(2) please check
                                       the following box: __


Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class to               Name of Each Exchange on Which
to be so Registered                  Each Class is to be Registered

NONE                                 --------------------------------
---------------------------          --------------------------------

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:


            Class A-1 5.545% Money Market Asset Backed Notes
                      Class A-2 5.950% Asset Backed Notes
                      Class A-3 6.250% Asset Backed Notes
                      Class A-4 6.400% Asset Backed Notes
                      Class A-5 6.500% Asset Backed Notes
                      6.650% Asset Backed Certificates
            --------------------------------------------------------
                              (Title of each class)


<PAGE>


Item 1.  Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered

      With respect to the Class A-1 5.545% Money Market Asset Backed Notes,
Class A-2 5.950% Asset Backed Notes, Class A-3 6.250% Asset Backed Notes,
Class A-4 6.400% Asset Backed Notes, Class A-5 6.500% Asset Backed Notes, 
6.650% Asset Backed Certificates Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association
(the "Registrant") has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-3(file no. 333-7575).
With respect to such classes, the Registrant and Chase Manhattan Auto
Trust 1997-A (the "Trust") have filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b)under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the final form of the
prospectus relating  to  the  initial offering of such securities, which
includes a description of such securities.  Such prospectus is hereby
incorporated by reference herein.

Item 2.  Exhibits.

1.  Sale and Servicing Agreement.*
2.  Indenture*





<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 12 of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the registrant  has duly caused the  registration  statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

                                         CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER
                                         TRUST 1997-A
                                      
                                   By:   CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA,
                                         NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                         as Servicer

                                   By: /s/ Patricia Garvey 
                                           ------------------------     
                                   Name:  Patricia Garvey
                                   Title: Vice President

Date:  April 22, 1998
--------
* Incorporated by reference to the Trust's current report on
  Form 8-K dated March 31, 1997.