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A mere 435 examples of the Kaiser Darrin were created, and all were produced in 1954. They beat the Corvette to market by only a few weeks, with a few being painted in Corvette-like colors of white and red. (All 300 examples of the 1953 Corvettes were finished in Polo White with a red interior).
The styling was performed by the Santa Monica-based Howard 'Dutch' Darrin. Darrin's legacy includes styling exercises for many notable marques such as Packard and Studebaker.
There are many memorable aspects to the Kaiser Darrin, such as being the first production fiberglass sports car in the US and the world. Another feature of the car was its unique sliding doors which would glide forward and almost disappear inside the front fenders.
This example was given a full high-quality restoration several years ago. It has the original overdrive transmission which was an additional cost of $107 in 1954. The base price of the Kaiser Darrin was $3,655. It is number 429 out of the 435 produced. This car was purchased in 1954 by a Mr. Bisco, who owned and operated a Kaiser Frazer dealership in Allentown, PA. It was used as his personal vehicle until given it to his daughter Lucretia Seaman Bisco for her 18th birthday in September of 1973. The car would remain with Lucretia for the next five years until she began to start a family of her own.
Lucretia sold the car to William E. Bruring of LaCrosse, WI, in September 1978. It would remain in his care for the next 29 years, the second half residing in protective storage and no longer driven. Donald Lake purchased the car in July of 2007 and soon undertook a full restoration. It was given new paint, chrome, tires, brakes, and cylinder, and a full engine refurbishment. The work was completed in 2008.
The current owner has cared for the car since August of 2010. In 2013, the owner undertook a complete frame-off cosmetic restoration that included period-correct Champagne Lacquer white paint and newly upholstered leather seats and carpeting in contrasting red.
This Kaiser-Darrin has only covered what is believed to be 35,722 original miles. Since the restoration work was completed in 2013, the car has been driven less than 100 miles.
The styling was performed by the Santa Monica-based Howard 'Dutch' Darrin. Darrin's legacy includes styling exercises for many notable marques such as Packard and Studebaker.
There are many memorable aspects to the Kaiser Darrin, such as being the first production fiberglass sports car in the US and the world. Another feature of the car was its unique sliding doors which would glide forward and almost disappear inside the front fenders.
This example was given a full high-quality restoration several years ago. It has the original overdrive transmission which was an additional cost of $107 in 1954. The base price of the Kaiser Darrin was $3,655. It is number 429 out of the 435 produced. This car was purchased in 1954 by a Mr. Bisco, who owned and operated a Kaiser Frazer dealership in Allentown, PA. It was used as his personal vehicle until given it to his daughter Lucretia Seaman Bisco for her 18th birthday in September of 1973. The car would remain with Lucretia for the next five years until she began to start a family of her own.
Lucretia sold the car to William E. Bruring of LaCrosse, WI, in September 1978. It would remain in his care for the next 29 years, the second half residing in protective storage and no longer driven. Donald Lake purchased the car in July of 2007 and soon undertook a full restoration. It was given new paint, chrome, tires, brakes, and cylinder, and a full engine refurbishment. The work was completed in 2008.
The current owner has cared for the car since August of 2010. In 2013, the owner undertook a complete frame-off cosmetic restoration that included period-correct Champagne Lacquer white paint and newly upholstered leather seats and carpeting in contrasting red.
This Kaiser-Darrin has only covered what is believed to be 35,722 original miles. Since the restoration work was completed in 2013, the car has been driven less than 100 miles.
2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $130,000-USD $160,000
Sale Price :
USD $137,500
2010 Worldwide Auctions - The Auburn Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $110,000-USD $130,000
Lot was not sold
2008 Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $110,000-USD $130,000
Sale Price :
USD $75,900
1954 Kaiser Darrin Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Kaiser Darrin
(Data based on Model Year 1954 sales)
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 Chassis#: 161001239 Sold for USD$110,000 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1954 KAISER DARRIN CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 161001114 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 | |
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis#: 161-001105 Sold for USD$83,600 2018 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale |
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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