1954 Kaiser Darrin

This 1954 Kaiser Darrin is one of 435 production examples built for a single model year and was fitted with a 283ci Chevrolet V8 and three-speed manual transmission under prior ownership, reportedly in the early 1960s. It also underwent a color change to red and is said to have spent 61 years in the family of the previous owner until it was purchased by the seller in 2018 and subsequently refurbished. Additional features include red vinyl upholstery, a color-matched three-position soft top, triple Rochester carburetors, an Offenhauser intake manifold, dual side-exit exhausts, sliding doors that retract into the body, fender-mounted mirrors, and plexiglass wind wings. This Darrin 161 is now offered with recent service records, a set of wire wheel covers, and a clean Washington title in the seller’s name. The Darrin roadster was designed by California-based coachbuilder Dutch Darrin and was among the first American production cars to feature fiberglass bodywork. This example previously underwent a color change from its factory Champagne White (153) to red. The Kaiser decklid emblem has been removed, and the car was refinished in its current red under the seller’s ownership. Features include sliding doors that retract into the body, turn signals, fender-mounted mirrors, plexiglass wind wings, dual side-exit exhausts, and separate decklids for the top and trunk. The seller notes issues with the doors shutting as well as cracks in the paint. The color-matched three-position soft top with chrome landau bars is shown above and is said to have been installed under the seller’s ownership. The 15″ painted steel wheels are mounted with Firestone bias-ply whitewall tires, and sets of chrome Kaiser full covers and wire covers are included in the sale. A spare wheel is stowed under a red cover in the trunk. The Darrin frame and suspension were based on the contemporary Henry J, and the car features an independent front suspension and a live rear axle with leaf springs. Braking is handled by four-wheel drums shared with the contemporary Kaiser Manhattan. The cabin was reupholstered under the seller’s ownership, and it features a padded dashboard, transmission tunnel, bucket seats, door panels, and transmission tunnel trimmed in red vinyl along with color-matched carpets. Equipment includes lap belts, a cigar lighter, an ashtray, and a dash-mounted rearview mirror. The white two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and fronts a color-matched instrument panel housing a 120-mph speedometer, a 6k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for oil pressure, fuel level, coolant temperature, and amperage. The five-digit odometer shows under 51k miles, approximately 2k of which were added under the seller’s ownership. The speedometer is not connected, and total mileage is unknown. The 283ci Chevrolet V8 is said to have been installed in 1961, and it features triple Rochester carburetors, an Offenhauser intake manifold, and orange Darrin-branded valve covers. The engine was rebuilt by Somers Performance Engines of Vancouver, Washington, approximately 2k miles ago in 2019 with a magnafluxed block, polished crankshaft, and replacement valves, hardened seats, and bronze guides. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a replacement three-speed manual transmission. A replacement clutch is said to have been installed at the time of the engine rebuild. The transmission is equipped with an overdrive function that does not work.