1954 Kaiser Darrin

The world was introduced to the Kaiser-Darrin Sports Convertible prototype in 1953 when it was shown at the New York Auto Show, besting Chevrolet's Corvette to become America's first fiberglass production sports car. Its attractive styling and exotic bodywork were betrayed by its anemic F-head six-cylinder engine and, compounded with a high price tag, resulted in low sales. Six prototypes and 435 production examples were built before diminishing corporate finances, a labor strike at the Willow Run plant, the loss of assembly facilities, and a snowstorm brought its euphoric existence to an end.

Howard 'Dutch' Darrin

Howard 'Dutch' Darrin was a renowned automotive designer who, along with Thomas Hibbard, established Hibbard & Darrin of Paris during the 1920s. Due to the financial crisis of 1929, it was forced to close. Following a second partnership in Paris, known as Carrosserie Fernandez et Darrin, Howard Darrin returned home in 1937 and settled in Hollywood. With sensuous European curves, low-profile hood, down-swept doors, and the chromed vee'd windshield, his designs became popular with the movie-star elite. By 1940, Darrin-customized Packards appeared in Packard sales literature and were favorites of individuals who wanted something just a bit more unique and distinctive.

After World War II, Darin worked with Kaiser-Frazer as a freelance consultant, with his design used on the 1947 Frazer. His relationship with the company was unstable, however, and Darrin became infuriated when his spectacular designs were smoothed over by Kaiser-Frazer stylists. Parting ways with the company, he returned when Frazer asked him to help style the new 1951 Henry J, a small and affordable car. This was a different direction for Kaiser-Frazer, which normally delivered pricey sedans. The designs he penned would remain until the company's demise in 1955. The new styling incorporated unique widows peak to the top of the windshield as well as a Darrin Dip in the rear quarter panel.

The Kaiser-Darrin

While working on the Henry J, Darrin also worked on an after-hours project using the short Henry J chassis. It was given unique, sporty styling and Bill Tritt was tasked with crafting the body from fiberglass. The concept was shown to Henry Kaiser, and he was very displeased with the sports car, saying the company wasn't in the sports car business. Darrin believed in the project, having created it in his own time and using his own resources, and told Kaiser that if they would not build it, he would build it himself. According to legend, Mr. Kaiser was joined by his new, younger wife, and her reaction was very different, remarking that it was the most beautiful car she'd ever seen. This convinced Kaiser to change his mind and ordered the production of the Kaiser Darrin.

Styling

The Kaiser-Darrin is marked by low sweeping lines, a heart-shaped grille, a 'Darrin dip' behind the sweeping front doors, a split windshield, a three-position Landau top, unique pocket doors that glide forward, and almost disappear inside the front fenders, and open two-seater coachwork. Darrin had promoted sliding doors for decades, claiming they were a safe alternative since the doors did not open into traffic. Its eye-catching design and sporty persona were well-aligned with the numerous European and British sports cars that were vying for ownership from American servicemen returning from overseas duty. Independent Kaiser Motors had enlisted industrial designer Howard 'Dutch' Darrin to produce the fiberglass-bodied sports car based on the company Henry J. economy car. It had an overall length of 184.1 inches and a wheelbase of 100 inches. The first prototype was introduced in 1953 at the New York Auto Show.

The construction of the fiberglass bodies was outsourced to Glaspar of California.

Engine

The New York Auto Show prototype car was given a standard Henry J drivetrain. Realizing that more power was needed, Kaiser engineers developed an overhead-valve V8 engine, but abandoned the project due to lack of financial resources required to bring it to production. Seeking alternatives, Darrin approached Oldsmobile in hopes of securing their 303 cubic-inch Rockey V8 engine, but the cost was too high.

When Kaiser merged with Willys-Overland to form Willys Motors Incorporated in March 1953, an alternative engine choice presented itself. Although the F-head six-cylinder Willys Hurricane engine produced just six more horsepower than the Kaiser engine, it was more durable and tuneable. The 161 cubic-inch engine produced 90 horsepower and was paired with a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The brakes were sourced from the much heavier Kaiser Manhattan.

Zero to sixty mph was accomplished in 15 seconds, and top speed was reached at 95 miles per hour.

Standard Equipment

The Kaiser Darrin came standard with a tinted windshield, windwings, electric windshield wipers, whitewall tires, and a tachometer.

Production

In 1954 (between January and August), the model's only year of production, a mere 435 cars were built in addition to an estimated six pre-production prototypes. These low production numbers were attributed to the nearly $4,000 sticker price, and increasing competition in the sports car market from domestic competitors, GM and Ford, and the numerous (and cheaper) European cars.

During a freak snowstorm, approximately 50 of the cars were destroyed. Darrin purchased these ruined vehicles along with any remaining componentry and materials left in Kaiser facilities and in storage and sold them from his Hollywood, California showroom. It is believed that six examples were given Cadillac Eldorado V8 engines, while many others were tuned with superchargers and multiple carburation.

Pilot production on the Darrin commenced in August 1953, and full production began four months later in December.

Reception

When the Kaiser-Darrin was introduced, many franchises and dealers had either switched to other automakers or had gone out of business. Consumer confidence in Kaiser's future had evaporated, and few buyers were willing to invest in a Kaiser product. Kaiser's goal of selling 1,000 Darrins a year was unobtainable, and prices were lowered to stimulate sales. With a backlog of unsold cars and the lease on the Jackson, Michigan plant soon to expire, Kaiser stopped production in August 1954.

There were many positive and negative aspects of the Kaiser Darrin, with perhaps its biggest Achilles Heel being its $3,670 price tag, making it more expensive than the Cadillac 62 or Lincoln Capri. Its lack of performance was another drawback, but it did have quick steering, excellent brakes, exceptional ride quality (for a sports car), and an exotic fiberglass body and sliding doors. The doors on the early production vehicles tended to jam, however, and the narrow opening made entering or exiting difficult. The jamming issue was resolved by switching to nylon roller bushings, and this fix was retrofitted on earlier cars. The folding top and side curtains leaked, but this was a problem that plagued sports cars of the time, and the heater was inadequate.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161001181

A woman's 'intuition' can be a powerful thing. It can sense danger, but it can also determine what would sell cars. It is also important to have a woman in one's corner for support. In the case of 'Dutch' Darrin, the woman in his corner ended up being the wife of Henry Kaiser.

Darrin and Kaiser, though they worked together at times, had also been at odds and didn't particularly see eye-to-eye most of the time. When Darrin designed his roadster in 1954, Kaiser wasn't all that interested. Henry's wife, however, thought it was one of the most beautiful designs she had ever seen. The weight of his wife's impression led Kaiser to decide in favor of Darrin's roadster and production began.

A noted designer starting in the 1940s, Darrin's cars all had signature, or, 'hallmark' designs. One easily recognizable Darrin design is the 'dip'. Darrin's designs had a fender line that swept back along the car, gently descending until it reached the rear fender. The descending line of the front fender made a 'dip' at the front edge of the rear fender. This design feature would make Darrin well-known and recognizable.

Because of the strained relationship with Kaiser, Darrin used his own time and money to build what had come to his mind. Darrin had also heard about a new body construction material, which would become known as fiberglass. Darrin set out in 1952 and started building the new design. Darrin's new roadster retained this easily recognizable design feature, but it also included something new. Darrin's new roadster had doors unlike any other car, even today. With a twist of the handle, the door didn't open forward, backward or upward, but in. The door disappeared into the bodywork extending back from the fender.

When the car was finished, and after Henry's wife had to step in, Kaiser put his name on the car, and production began. As it headed to production using a fiberglass body, the Darrin roadster earned the distinction of being the first American sports car to use fiberglass. It had even beaten Chevy's Corvette in this category.

Despite being a beautifully designed car, sales were low. One of the major contributors to the slow sales of the car was the fact it was not a cheap car. In fact, the small sports car was more expensive than some of the luxury cars of the day. The price was offset, somewhat, by what the Darrin offered. The car came with such extras as a tachometer, a three-positioned Landau top and a tinted windshield.

Although the car was truly unique in design and offered a number of features, the Darrin roadster was cancelled at the end of the 1954. Some remaining, unfinished cars were set to be scrapped. However, Darrin would have none of that and ended up purchasing 50 of the remaining cars and set out to try and regenerate interest in the car. The most notable of the 50 that Darrin retrofitted in order to generate interest were six that had been fitted with bigger engines. Unfortunately, the idea didn't work and Darrin's Roadster slipped into automotive history.

Chassis number 161001181 is one of the 1964 built Kaiser-Darrin Roadsters. It had gone through an extensive restoration a few years back, beginning with its original owners compiling an extensive binder full of information and reference material from which they drew for the project. Paint, trim, chrome and upholstery have all been detailed and every effort for authenticity has been made.

Finished inside and out in a lovely cream color, the car was the recipient of an AACA first prize award. Besides its original owners, this restored Kaiser-Darrin has been sold a couple of times and has been part of a private collection. It is from this collection the car was offered. Percentage wise, the Kaiser-Darrin's existence is strong, but when compared to the number produced, the actual number is very small. Therefore, every Kaiser-Darrin is a rare breed of machine.

The example offered at the 2011 RM Auction sale in Arizona was expected to earn between $125,000 and $175,000. The expected price clearly represents the quality of the example. The Darrin Roadster comes with an F-head inline six-cylinder engine producing 90 bhp and has a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

As there are only a few number of Kaiser-Darrins still in existence, each one is a rare car to behold. And the one offered this year beautifully keeps the memory of the Kaiser-Darrin Roadster alive.

Sources:

'Buy: View Lots (Lot 241: 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster)', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r169&fc=0). RM Auction Arizona. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r169&fc=0. Retrieved 12 January 2011.

'Kaiser Darrin', (http://www.americansportscars.com/darrin.html). Kaiser Darrin. http://www.americansportscars.com/darrin.html. Retrieved 12 January 2011.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Kaiser Motors', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 November 2010, 07:12 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaiser_Motors&oldid=397823528 accessed 12 January 2011

by Jeremy McMullen

Sport Convertible

This Darrin was owned (pre-1970s) by Don Noska of California. It was sold to Lowell Johnson from Wisconsin, who sold the car to Victor Carbe, Jr., of Hazelton, PA. Carbe sold the car to George Domer of Milton, PA. Someone repainted the Darrin metallic green, and the upholstery became black. A dual exhaust system was installed on the car. The Darrin sat in Domer's garage for 25 years, partially disassembled. When the present owner purchased the car, the fiberglass get coat was totally gone, leaving a very rough surface. A full body-off restoration was performed by Westmoreland Antique Auto Restorations in Blairsville, PA. The upholstery was done by Larry Learn, of Clymer, PA. Research, parts location, and chassis restoration were performed by Ron Strapel.

Sport Convertible

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.

Sport Convertible

Chevrolet wasn't the only automaker putting fiberglass bodies on American sports cars in the 1950s. The Kaiser Darrin, shown here, is the 25th of 435 produced, and not only had fiberglass bodywork, but unique sliding doors.

The car was designed by the famous Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, an electrical engineer who tried to create the first automatic transmission, which didn't work. He then started an airline, which quite literally crashed. Finally, he started designing cars, eventually established an important coach-building business in Paris with fellow American Tom Hibbard. They returned to the United States before World War II, with Darrin establishing a design business.

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161001429

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.

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161001071
Engine number: 3495116

This 1954 Kaiser Darrin Convertible is one of just two or three known special order Darrins and is believed to have been delivered to a VIP client or Kaiser family member. It wears special order paint code 999 and special order trim code 888. Both of these did not correspond with the standard interior and exterior colors available at the time.

The body number is 71, and it currently wears the correct Teal Blue paint scheme complimented by wide whitewall tires and a white interior. It was given a restoration many years ago.

In 2008, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $90,000 - $120,000. It was offered without reserve and sold for a high bid of $87,500 including the buyer's premium.

In 2009, it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $75,000-$100,000. The lot was sold for the sum of 91,300 including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161001322

This 1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $100,000 - $125,000. It was sold for a high bid of $104,500, including the buyer's premium.

This restored car is finished in a cream color with a maroon interior. It has a new red three-position convertible top with landau irons, and a pair of wind wings. The car rides on red painted steel wheels with wire-basket hubcaps with Kaiser-Darrin center caps. The wide whitewall tires are period correct.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible

This car was bought by the current owner's father in 1962 from an English sports car driver. After the owner's father's death in 1964, the car was improperly stored and suffered severe damage. However, the owner spent over five years rebuilding the car, which can be documented through the hundreds of photos taken during the process. The 2009 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance was the car's first showing.

Sport Convertible

Essentially the brainchild of famed American Designer Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, this unique vehicle was released on January 6, 1954. The cars were basically hand-assembled in Kaiser's Jackson, Michigan warehouse. The unique sliding door arrangement caused several issues with production, which caused constant and significant delays. Despite the beauty and unique style of the automobile, Kaiser gave up on the project on June 30, 1954, with only 435 having been built. Still, the Kaiser was the most successful new automobile sold in the United States following World War II.

Most of their products focused on family passenger cars, but in late 1953, the company offered a fiberglass-bodied sports car that had been designed by Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, who had designed many of the Classic automobiles of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.

The Kaiser Darrin was built on a 100-inch wheelbase chassis and powered by a 161 cubic-inch Kaiser inline F-head six that produced 90 horsepower. The factory price was $3,655.

There were approximately fifty remaining bodies when Kaiser stopped production. Darrin took them, installed Cadillac V8s, and tried marketing them strictly as Darrins with very limited success.

Sport Convertible

Kaiser-Frazer set up shop as an independent automatic in 1946 in Ford's former Willow Run, Michigan, B-24 factory. The Kaiser-Darrin was a boldly styled sports car introduced by the automaker in 1954 and based on the compact Henry J chassis. It was given its name after the legendary designer, Howard 'Dutch' Darrin. Henry Kaiser was not impressed with the design mock up, however, Mrs. K. loved the clay model and her opinion carried the day. Soon, fiberglass bodies from the Glasspar Boat Company in California were in transit to Michigan for final assembly.

Notable Darrin features include a uniquely shaped grille and sliding 'pocket' doors that roll forward into the front fenders. Power comes from a 161 cubic-inch straight six engine. Interestingly, the Darrin was America's first production car with a fiberglass body, beating Corvette to market by one month. But priced $150 higher and giving up 60 horsepower, Darrin sales faltered quickly. In the end, only 435 cars were ever built.

This Kaiser-Darrin is painted in 'Pine-Tint' color and was acquired by the current owner in 2000, and subjected to a lengthy restoration, bringing it back to its original condition.

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161001072

The rich and colorful history of the auto industry is filled with stories of vast fortunes made by daring entrepreneurs and swaggering industrialists. The decades are also littered with tales of crushed dreams; of hotshot executives long on hubris but short of cash; of can't miss designers who flew too close to the sun. In 1946 Kaiser-Frazer set up shop as an automaker in Ford's former Willow Run B-17 factory.

The Kaiser-Darrin, a boldly styled sports car based on the compact Henry J chassis and eponymously named after its legendary designer, Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, was introduced in 1954. Interestingly, when Dutch had originally invited Henry Kaiser himself to bless his dashing design, Henry was very unimpressed. Fortunately, Mrs. K loved the clay model and her opinion carried the day. Soon bodies from the Glasspar Boat Company in California were enroute to Michigan for final assembly. Notable Darrin features include a uniquely shaped grille and sliding 'pocket' doors that roll forward into the front fenders.

Actually, the Darrin was America's first production car with a fiberglass body. It beat the somewhat better-known Corvette to market by one month, but having to go toe-to-toe with GM's young 'Vette was a most formidable challenge. Priced higher but giving up 60 horsepower, Darrin sales soon faltered. Dutch Darrin attempted to rescue his namesake marque but it was all for naught and in the end only 435 cars were ever built. This car was discovered languishing in a barn in 2011, where it had sat since 1971.

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 1611007

This Kaiser-Darrin is the 7th built of the 435 car series. It was given a two-year restoration that was completed in May of 2013 with over $140,000 invested. It is finished in Champagne White with a Red interior distinctive only by the first 50 made. It has a Model KF-161 90 horsepower 161 Cubic-inch engine. There is a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive and an independent suspension in the front with wishbones and coils.

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161001033

This Kaiser-Darrin is the 33rd built and one of the first fifty Kaiser-Darrins to be painted Champagne with a unique and special interior. It was in the care of the same owner from 1956 until 2012 and is the recipient of a nut-and-bolt restoration. Currently, the car has under 38,000 actual miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161-001023
Engine number: 161-1023

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 Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161001253

This Kaiser Darrin Roadster is finished in its original Radiant Red with an Ivory leather interior and a white folding top. The 161CID 6-cylinder engine has 2-barrel carburetors and offers 90 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, fiberglass body, and unique pocket sliding doors.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 161-001188

This Kaiser Darrin Sport Convertible is number 188 out of the 435 produced. It was finished new in the popular color scheme of Champagne Lacquer (white) over Scarlet Pincrush vinyl with a matching red three-position top. It was given a restoration several decades ago by Classic Car in White Lake, New York, and was repainted in Yellow Satin with a tan vinyl interior.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Car

Based on a modified Kaiser Darrin Roadster, this is the only documented Darrin Sports Car known to exist. Its 161 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine was upgraded by Darrin with his installation of a McCulloch supercharger (Darrin option number one). It now produces 135 hp at 5,200 rpm and is mated to a three-speed manual transmission with a BorgWarner electric overdrive.

This is one of 20 cars finished in Satin Yellow and was trimmed from the factory with a white top and interior. In addition, this car carries a removable hard top with side windows designed by Darrin.

Following Darrin's 1955 modifications to this Kaiser Darrin (# 389,) he sold it to a California couple through his Los Angeles store, 'Darrin of Hollywood.'

Sport Convertible
Chassis number: 3495435
Engine number: 3495464

This Kaiser-Darrin Roadster is finished in its correct color of Yellow Satin with yellow upholstery, both matching the trim codes on the firewall tag. It has 80/20 loop carpeting, a matching glass shifter ball, wire wheels and hubcaps, a full-sized spare wheel and tire, a convertible top, and side curtains.

This Kaiser-Darrin was given a restoration prior to entering the Gateway Automobile Museum's acquisition in 2010. Currently, it has 373 miles on its odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible

The Kaiser Darrin was the only production automobile ever made with sliding (pocket) doors and was the first fiberglass production car. Styled by automobile designer Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, it was given the distinctive 'Darrin dip' behind the sweeping front doors, and a tapered nose extending to a small rosebud grille. Darrin built the car using Kaiser-Frazer's compact car, the Henry J, without Henry J. Kaiser's approval. When Kaiser saw the prototype (per legend), he was angered by its creation. Declaring that he had no intention of building a sports car, his young wife interjected, saying it was the most beautiful thing that she had ever seen. Before long, the Kaiser-Darrin was put into production as a new 'halo car.' It continued to be based on Henry J engineering, including the F-head six-cylinder engine. During its single season of production, a mere 435 examples were built.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Convertible

This 1954 Kaiser Darrin is #17 of 435 production examples built for a single model year. The Darrin roadster was designed by California-based coachbuilder Howard 'Dutch' Darrin. Features include sliding doors that retract into the body, turn signals, plexiglass wind wings, and separate decklids for the top and trunk. The Darrin's chassis was based on the contemporary Henry J, featuring an independent front suspension and a live rear axle with leaf springs. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel drums shared with the contemporary Kaiser Manhattan. Power comes from a 161 cubic-inch Hurricane F-head inline six-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

The Kaiser-Frazer Automobile Company introduced the stylish and attractive Darrin roadster in 1954. The company was attempting to revamp its model lineup, and the result was the exciting, image-leading Darrin. The concept of the Kaiser-Darrin roadster was envisioned by famous automotive designer Howard 'Dutch' Darrin. The prototype of the vehicle was built in Santa Monica, CA, at Darrin's shop at his own personal cost and expense.

Henry Kaiser wasn't crazy about the design of the Darrin, but agreed to produce the small roadster at the request of his wife, who had fallen in love with the vehicle. The Darrin roadster was aimed at a fresh, young and hip market. The Kaiser-Darrin came with plenty of standard components, along with a clean and modern Darrin design that did much to set it apart from all of its competition.

The entire construction and development of the Darrin roadster were completed in barely 13 months. The chassis of the Darrin was taken from the compact Hendry J. Its wheelbase was only 100 inches and perfect for the Darrin. The engine was not taken from the Henry J, but instead was an F-head six from Kaiser-Frazer's newly acquired Willys. The 161 cubic inch six-cylinder engine gave the Darrin enough speed to keep up with its sporting image. Complete control of the sportscar was a breeze with the 4-speed manual transmission that shifted easily.

The body of the Kaiser-Darrin was constructed in fiberglass and featured individual sliding doors. The doors were a concept exclusively from Darrin and his fascination with the concept of sliding doors rather than conventional swing-out doors. With the sliding doors, the problem of scraping the door on the curb was eliminated, and entry and exit was a simple procedure.

The Kaiser-Darrin roadster was a very short-lived project, as the project was halted after just nine months. Only a total of 435 units were ever constructed. The Darrin roadster was a great example of Post-War America in the 1950s. Today these roadsters are sold at auctions for over $100,000.00.

by Jessican Donaldson