Car & Classic Dealer

Hyman Ltd Classic Cars

2310 Chaffee Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63146

63146

1954 Kaiser Darrin SOLD

1954 KAISER DARRIN
In the bustling years after World War II, American manufacturers quickly saw the value in adding a sports car to the regular lineup. Sports cars were gaining in popularity rapidly, but none of Americas automakers had the time or resources to develop a ground up car to complete with the ever-increasing number of European invaders. Ford and GM started work on their own ideas of a sports car, based on existing passenger car platforms. Performance seemed to take a back seat to style, as these new cars were meant more as image-enhancers to boost showroom traffic.

In the early 1950s, the famed industrial designer Howard “Dutch” Darrin, who had to previously been employed by Kaiser, now operated out of his own showroom in LA, where he took it upon himself to design a sports car for the Kaiser Corporation based on the compact Henry J. chassis. He invited top company brass to view the car but instead got a rather brusque response from Henry Kaiser himself, who informed Darrin that Kaiser was in the family car business, NOT the sports car business. But Darrin persisted and finally a meeting was set. Upon seeing the car for the first time, it was actually Henry Kaiser’s wife who insisted the car go in to production.

Mrs. Kaiser got her way and the first prototype appeared at the New York Auto Show in 1953, just beating Chevrolet’s Corvette to become America’s first fiberglass production sports car. Beyond the sweeping profile and heart-shaped grille, the Kaiser-Darrin 161 was most famous for its innovative pocket doors that disappeared into the front fenders on sliding tracks. Construction of the fiberglass bodies was outsourced to Glaspar of California, who had previous experience with making a sporty car under their own name. Power was courtesy of the Hurricane F-head inline six producing about 90 horsepower. Unfortunately, Kaiser Motors Corporation could not compete against the marketing might of GM and Ford, and after just 435 Darrins were built (all sold as 1954 models), Kaiser dropped out of passenger car production altogether.

But the story did not end there as Dutch Darrin was able to procure a handful of late production models that were left unsold at Kaiser’s Willow Run factory. He brought the cars to his Los Angeles showroom where they were refurbished, where some were modified with V8 engines and sold as the Darrin Sports Car.

Our featured Kaiser-Darrin, chassis number 161-1389, is an exquisitely presented example that features a number of rare options. There are some experts that believe this car to be one of the few cars sold through Dutch Darrin’s own showroom, though conclusive evidence is lacking thanks to limited records. Finished in original Yellow Satin with a white interior, this outstanding Darrin has been treated to a full restoration to concours standards in 2014 by Dan Green Restorations of Salt Lake City, Utah and presents in stunning condition today. It features an extremely rare optional removable hard top, as well as a centrifugal supercharger on the original “Hurricane” F-head inline six, both of which were accessories that Darrin offered through his Los Angles dealership. The quality of the restoration is first rate and the car presents in striking order with impeccable paint, chrome and detailing, looking fabulous with the hard top in place and fitted with cool period-correct accessory wheel covers. While undergoing restoration, numerous original date markings and stamps confirm this is a highly original, late-production body.

The calling card of the Kaiser-Darrin is of course those unique forward-sliding pocket doors, which function properly on this car, revealing a beautifully restored interior. Part of the design brief by Darrin was that the interior would remain simple and elegant, not to overpower the purity of the body design. This car’s off-white upholstery complements the soft yellow paintwork, while new black carpets provide some contrast. The instrument panel is finished in body color fiberglass, with an upholstered pad covering the rest of the dash as original. Instruments, switches and controls have all been restored to a high standard, and the interior still appears very fresh in the time since the restoration was completed. Beneath the very rare matching hard top is a folding soft top in white vinyl, as original.

Lifting the hood reveals Kaiser’s robust but somewhat curious “F-Head” inline six. The engine is fully detailed to a very high standard, and presented with correct colors, labels and fittings. As a passenger car engine, the Hurricane six was strong, reliable and reasonably efficient. But in standard form it lacked a bit of grunt for sports car duty, with just 90 horsepower on tap from 161 cubic inches. In an effort to improve performance in an increasingly competitive market, Dutch Darrin offered buyers an optional supercharger, which was originally developed for the four-door Kaiser Manhattan, which boosted output to nearly 140 hp. This car features that rare and desirable blower, complete with the unique “Darrin” script cast intake plenum. The engine mates to a three speed manual transmission with overdrive. The sale will include an original owner’s manual, photos documenting the restoration, period literature, historical documentation and a set of original and important two-piece Kaiser-Darrin wire wheel covers.

Without a doubt one of the best Kaiser Darrins available, car number 1389 benefits from long-term care in a major collection of important automobiles. It has been expertly restored with little regard to cost, and remains fresh and ready for enjoyment in any number of concours events or out on the road where the truly unique style and character can be appreciated by all.



$225, 000
STOCK NUMBER 6135
For immediate assistance please call us at +1-the details below

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

The French automotive company Delahaye was started in 1894 by an industrial engineer Emile Delahaye. He promoted his cars by racing them himself at car events. Emile was born in 1843 and became an automotive pioneer in France. Studying engineering at the Arts et Metiers Paris Tech and started his early career at the Crail ...

62,000
26 Mar 2024
Lincolnshire
Verified Dealer (see stock)

Swallow Doretti 1954, Completely restored, it has kept all its original features: Aluminum body, XK120 brakes, Aluminum radiator, Gearbox without overdrive ... Standard Triumph racing engine developing around 160hp, original gearbox and rear axle rebuilt. Car from Venezuela, referencing to its serial number and the ...

47,345
25 Mar 2024
France

Offering this a rare LHD Lancia Aurelia B21 with complete 2,0 L drivetrain. Very rusty and not complete; Austrian Paperwork. Will consider to sell parts as well Price on request

23 Mar 2024
Germany

This cute little Fiat Topolino with its chassis number 467432 was produced in 1954 and, according to his documentation, registered for the first time in Italy in 1966. There the little car was restored a number of years ago before it was acquired by a garage owner originating from Italy in 2016/17 and imported into Switzerland. ...

47,250
22 Mar 2024
Switzerland

Price Is NZD55000.00 (New Zealand Dollars) If it’s a classic British roadster you’re after, you cannot afford to ignore the TR2. Said to be the cheapest British car to top 100mph, the TR2 received plenty of plaudits from road testers of the time and "fun to drive" was a regular comment. And they were right, the ...

99,647
21 Mar 2024
New Zealand

Look at the photographs, it is a restoration project of a 1954 packard caribbeam for sale, it is complete except for the front and rear bumper which are missing and the front glass which is unfortunately broken, the rest is everything, the engine is running ye it is rebuilt down to the last screw, very few existing units ...

20 Mar 2024
Spain
Verified Dealer (see stock)

***PRICE IS NZD59990.00 ONO (New Zealand Dollars)*** The TF was the day-before-yesterday?s sports car. As for the TF 1250, with the windscreen folded flat, wearing your driving gloves and embarked on a twisty road, you can drive yourself back into a simpler world where the maximum is 80 miles per hour and 50-55 is ...

32,000
19 Mar 2024
New Zealand

Experience the thrill of owning one of the rarest and most exquisite automobiles in history. The 1954 Aston Martin DB2/ 4. This stunning example is just one of 565 ever produced and is in ‘turn-key’ condition, having been meticulously restored by one of the foremost Fast Road and competition Aston specialists in the ...

4 Mar 2024
Warwickshire
Private
12
Picture of 1954 HWM Jaguar - For Sale

One of the initial three two-seat Jaguar-engined sports racers produced by HWM, the Walton-on-Thames outfit run by gentleman racer George Abecassis and self-taught engineer John Heath. XPA 748 was originally delivered to enthusiast Mr. Geoff Mansell of Birmingham, who competed in it at the Prescott Hill Climb, and used ...

16 Mar 2024
Hertfordshire
Premium Dealer (see stock)
12
Picture of 1954 HWM Jaguar - For Sale

One of the initial three two-seat Jaguar-engined sports racers produced by HWM, the Walton-on-Thames outfit run by gentleman racer George Abecassis and self-taught engineer John Heath. XPA 748 was originally delivered to enthusiast Mr. Geoff Mansell of Birmingham, who competed in it at the Prescott Hill Climb, and used ...

15 Mar 2024
London
Premium Dealer (see stock)