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The Kaiser-Darrin was designed by Howard 'Dutch' Darrin and was America's first production fiberglass sports car. Its prototype was built before the Corvette, although production did not begin until 1952. Power was from Willys six-cylinder engine. Design cues included sweeping front fenders that plunged behind the doors into a 'Darrin dip' and a unique 'rosebud' grille. One special feature were the beloved 'pocket' doors, which slid forward into the front fenders to permit entry and exist. Darrin had a long history of promoting the sliding doors, claiming it was a safe alternative as they did not open into traffic.
With all of its unique features and impressive design, the Kaiser-Darrin was a one-year-only offering, with just 435 examples produced. Of these, six were fitted with Cadillac V-8 engines by Dutch Darrin himself, at his shop in Santa Monica, California.
This particular example is a Darrin-inspired Cadillac conversion that has been professionally engineered by its present owner to high standards. This car was the 23rd Darrin built, and it was totally disassembled to facilitate the addition of a cross-member to the factory-boxed frame, which increased its stiffness. In the back, the springs were beefed-up, and mounted in the chassis to a correct 1954 Cadillac V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and custom headers, which is mated to a Getrag T-5 five-speed manual transmission through a custom cast-aluminum adapter. The electricals were also upgraded to a 12-volt system.
This car rides on knock-off wire wheels that were custom-made for the car by Dayton. The body is finished in an original factory color of Pine Tint Green. The top is the same color as the upholstery by Haartz. There is a correct jack and hammer, and it still wears its accurate chassis and body tags.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014
With all of its unique features and impressive design, the Kaiser-Darrin was a one-year-only offering, with just 435 examples produced. Of these, six were fitted with Cadillac V-8 engines by Dutch Darrin himself, at his shop in Santa Monica, California.
This particular example is a Darrin-inspired Cadillac conversion that has been professionally engineered by its present owner to high standards. This car was the 23rd Darrin built, and it was totally disassembled to facilitate the addition of a cross-member to the factory-boxed frame, which increased its stiffness. In the back, the springs were beefed-up, and mounted in the chassis to a correct 1954 Cadillac V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and custom headers, which is mated to a Getrag T-5 five-speed manual transmission through a custom cast-aluminum adapter. The electricals were also upgraded to a 12-volt system.
This car rides on knock-off wire wheels that were custom-made for the car by Dayton. The body is finished in an original factory color of Pine Tint Green. The top is the same color as the upholstery by Haartz. There is a correct jack and hammer, and it still wears its accurate chassis and body tags.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014
2018 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale, Az.
Sale Price :
USD $128,800
2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $125,000-USD $150,000
Sale Price :
USD $159,500
1954 Kaiser Darrin Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Kaiser Darrin
(Data based on Model Year 1954 sales)
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis#: 161-001099 Sold for USD$78,400 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1954 KAISER DARRIN ROADSTER Chassis#: 161001114 Sold for USD$88,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1954 KAISER DARRIN ROADSTER Chassis#: 161001046 Sold for USD$86,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis#: 3495435 Sold for USD$80,640 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin Convertible Chassis#: 161001281 Sold for USD$72,600 2023 Mecum : Houston | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster Sold for USD$101,200 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1954 KAISER DARRIN CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 161001088 Sold for USD$82,500 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Houston | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin Sold for USD$82,000 2022 Fall Carlisle Auction | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster Convertible Chassis#: 161001302 Sold for USD$101,920 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis#: 161-001228 Sold for USD$89,100 2022 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale | |
1954 KAISER DARRIN CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 161001114 Sold for USD$110,000 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1954 KAISER DARRIN Chassis#: 161001239 Sold for USD$110,000 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster Sold for USD$93,500 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | |
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis#: 161-001390 Sold for USD$137,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Open Roads February | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster Sold for USD$96,250 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin Sports Convertible Chassis#: 161-001022 Sold for USD$76,160 2019 Bonhams : Tupelo Auction | |
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis#: 161-001381 Sold for USD$112,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1954 KAISER-DARRIN SPORTS CAR CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1611112 Sold for USD$90,200 2019 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin 161 Chassis#: 1611249 Sold for USD$135,520 2018 Bonhams : Collectors Motorcars and Automobilia Auction | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin Sold for USD$116,600 2018 Mecum : Indianapolis |
Kaiser Darrins That Failed To Sell At Auction
1954 Kaiser Darrin's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1954 Kaiser Darrin Convertible | 161001318 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $60,000 | $95,000 | $125,000 |
1954 KAISER DARRIN | 161001022 | 2022 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Geared Online | $100,000 | $130,000 | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin | 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | ||||
1954 Kaiser Darrin KD161 Roadster | 161001253 | 2017 Motostalgia : Amelia Island | $90,000 | $120,000 | |
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster | 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $80,000 | |||
1954 Kaiser Darrin | 161001001 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $200,000 | $275,000 | $300,000 |
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster | 2015 Auctions America Fort Lauderdale | $70,000 | |||
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Convertible | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster | 2014 Auctions America : California | $65,000 | |||
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Convertible | 1611007 | 2013 Mecum Auctions Monterey | $80,000 | ||
1954 Kaiser Darrin KF-161 Convertible | 2012 Leake Auctions Dallas | $77,500 | |||
1954 Kaiser Darrin 161 Roadster | 2011 Mecum Auctions Dallas, TX Auction | $90,000 | |||
1954 Kaiser Darrin Sport Convertible | 161001429 | 2010 Worldwide Auctions The Auburn Auction | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster | 2010 Auctions America : Auburn Collector Car Auction | $75,000 | |||
1954 Kaiser-Darrin 161 Roadster | 161001069 | 2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company | $100,000 | $125,000 | |
1954 Kaiser Darrin | 1611173 | 2009 MidAmerica Auctions Saint Paul RiverCentre | $87,500 | ||
1954 KAISER DARRIN | 2009 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions February 2009 | $72,500 | |||
1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster | 2009 Mecum Kissimmee, FL Auction | $100,000 | |||
1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster | 2009 Mecum Kissimmee, FL Auction | $100,000 | |||
1954 Kaiser Darrin Convertible | 161001071 | 2008 Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions | $87,500 | $90,000 | $120,000 |
1954 KAISER DARRIN CVTBLE | 2008 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions November 23, 2008 | ||||
1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster | 2008 Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction | $53,000 | |||
1954 KAISER DARRIN CONVERTIBLE | 2002 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $31,000 | |||
1954 KAISER DARRIN CONVERTIBLE | 2002 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $34,000 | |||
1954 KAISER DARRIN CONVERTIBLE | 2002 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $32,000 |
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1954 Kaiser Darrin
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