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The First Fiberglass Car in the World!
Henry J. Kaiser, a United States industrialist, and Joseph W. Frazer, president of the Graham-Paige Corporation, started making automobiles with the brand names Kaiser and Frazer after World War II. Kaiser-Frazer also built a small car called the Henry J, named for Henry Kaiser. A slightly re-designed version of the Henry J was sold by selected Sears Auto Centers during 1952 and 1953 under the brand name Allstate. This car was tagged as a product of Sears-Roebuck. While listed for information purposes in the Sears 'wish books' the Kaiser Motors operation at Will Run, Michigan, was closed down and moved to the Willys-Overland Corporation facility in Toledo, Ohio. Kaiser car production in the USA ended in 1955.
The Kaiser Darrin, designed by Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, was the first production fiberglass sports car in the USA and the world, beating the Corvette to market by one month. The fiberglass body by Glaspar weighs only 300 pounds! A three-position landau top and innovative doors that slide into the front fenders complimented the trademark Darrin 'dip' at the front of the rear fenders. This design detail gave the famous Packard Darrin roadsters of the early 1940s a stunning look. The Kaiser Darrin was one of Dutch's last design achievements and many say, the crowning jewel of his career. Gail Manz first drove an identical Kaiser Darrin in 1954 and has loved the design ever since.
Henry J. Kaiser, a United States industrialist, and Joseph W. Frazer, president of the Graham-Paige Corporation, started making automobiles with the brand names Kaiser and Frazer after World War II. Kaiser-Frazer also built a small car called the Henry J, named for Henry Kaiser. A slightly re-designed version of the Henry J was sold by selected Sears Auto Centers during 1952 and 1953 under the brand name Allstate. This car was tagged as a product of Sears-Roebuck. While listed for information purposes in the Sears 'wish books' the Kaiser Motors operation at Will Run, Michigan, was closed down and moved to the Willys-Overland Corporation facility in Toledo, Ohio. Kaiser car production in the USA ended in 1955.
The Kaiser Darrin, designed by Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, was the first production fiberglass sports car in the USA and the world, beating the Corvette to market by one month. The fiberglass body by Glaspar weighs only 300 pounds! A three-position landau top and innovative doors that slide into the front fenders complimented the trademark Darrin 'dip' at the front of the rear fenders. This design detail gave the famous Packard Darrin roadsters of the early 1940s a stunning look. The Kaiser Darrin was one of Dutch's last design achievements and many say, the crowning jewel of his career. Gail Manz first drove an identical Kaiser Darrin in 1954 and has loved the design ever since.
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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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