1954 Kaiser Darrin

Made for only one year and in very limited numbers (435 were produced, but only 385 were actually made), the 1954 Kaiser Darrin was the product of the Kaiser Frazer Corporation.  There was a mad rush to build a small lightweight sports car in the early fifties.  Nearly every American automobile manufacturer tried their hand at making one.  Designed by “Dutch” Darrin, hence the name, this car has earned its right as one of the most beautiful sports cars of the 1950s.  Its unique “pocket door” design never caught on (it slid into the forward fender) but did add to the car’s overall allure.  Built on a Henry J chassis, it was woefully underpowered but beautiful just the same. 

Known for creating stylish designs for coachbuilders, “Dutch” Darrin had worked as a designed for Kaiser since the early postwar days.  Though they worked together at times, Darrin and Henry Kaiser were often at odds and didn’t particularly see eye-to-eye.  So when Darrin set out to create a new sports car in early 1952, he did so in secrecy—using his own time and money.  When the car was unveiled to Kaiser, he wasn’t impressed or even interested.  Kaiser’s wife, however, declared it… “the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.”  Mrs. K’s opinion carried the day and Kaiser decided to begin production on the sleek two-seater.  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. 

Sadly, Mrs. Kaiser’s enthusiasm for the Darrin was not shared by consumers and sales were low.  Selling for $3,668, the car cost $150 more than a Chevrolet Corvette.  And although the Kaiser Darrin was high-style, it wasn’t high-performance; despite the low 2.175 lb. weight, 90 hp just wasn’t enough.  The Darrin was cancelled at the end of 1954.  Darrin refused to scrap the remaining, unfinished cars and ended up personally buying 50 cars. 

All in all, only 435 units were produced.  As there are only a small number of Kaiser-Darrins still in existence, each one is rare to behold.  

Color: Yellow Satin

Body: Roadster

Transmission: Overdrive 3-speed Manual

Engine: V6

Top Speed: 95 mph

Horsepower: 90

Condition: coming soon

Car’s History: coming soon

Claim to Fame: First production fiberglass sports car in the USA

Mileage: coming soon

Price: Please inquire