Darrin 3 Speed Manual Roadster
Sale price: US $111,920.00 Make an Offer
| Condition: | Used | Year: | 1954 |
| VIN : | 161001105 | Mileage: | 61138 |
| Fuel Type: | Gasoline | Vehicle Title: | Clear |
| Body Type: | Roadster | Options: | -- |
| Make: | Kaiser | Power Options: | -- |
| Model: | Darrin | Exterior Color: | Pine Tint |
| Sub Model: | Model 161 | Interior Color: | Pine Tint Pincrush |
| Trim: | Model 161 | Transmission: | Manual |
| Drive Type: | -- | Warranty: | Unspecified |
| Engine: | 161ci Inline 6 | For Sale By: | Dealer |
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Vehicle description
Darrin 3 Speed Manual Roadster Exterior Color: Pine Tint Interior Color: Pine Tint Pincrush Body Type: Roadster Transmission: 3 Speed Manual Engine: 161ci Inline 6 Title Condition: Clear Vehicle Description Only two documented owners from new, with the last maintaining possession since 1957! Having been cosmetically restored in 2005, this 61,000-mile gem has received all the right attention mechanically by Bob Dunn of Custom Auto in 2008 to be an outstanding road car! This represents #105/435 produced! Superb blue-chip investment from the design legend, Dutch Darrin!
As the European sports car market invaded the United States after WWII, American auto manufacturers took notice. Very few, if any, produced a 2-seater . . oriented sports car. By the early 1950"s, Jaguar, Austin Healey, Triumph, MG and other small English sports cars were finding garages in the United States, not to mention Alfa Romeo, Porsche, etc. Pushing an effort to supply a unique 2-seater for the Kaiser brand was designer Howard "Dutch" Darrin, a renowned automotive stylist for Packard and Duesenberg. Although, the longtime sedan oriented Henry J. Kaiser was a tough sell on pushing such an automobile, his selection of traditional family style automobiles was a major focus to save his namesake in an ever-growing market where larger firms were eating up their competition. Darrin was able to push his stunning Roadster with disappearing doors that slid into the front fenders forward to production, some say with the prodding of Mrs. Kaiser after seeing the design, so it would appear at the 1953 New York auto show with many admirers. Kaiser Motors was struggling as whole to stay alive, so only 435 Roadsters would be produced, and today represent the last of Dutch Darrin automotive legacy.
Offered here is a 1954 Kaiser Darrin 161 Roadster finished in factory code correct Pint Tint Green over Pint Tint Pincrush Vinyl upholstery with matching Vinyl Convertible Top. Powered by its original Continental 161ci Hurricane F-Head Inline 6 Cylinder Engine with factory Carter YF carburetion producing an approximate 90 horsepower, and 3-speed overdrive manual transmission. Features include wire spoke wheels, BF Goodrich Silvertown 6.50-15 wide whitewall tires, full dash instrumentation, wide turn signals, Plexiglas windscreens, engine oil filtration system, heat/defrost, tinted windscreen, front & rear bumper guards, fitted side curtains, and more!
This example was sold new from Lettier"s Garage, a Kaiser/Willys Dealership based in Hazleton, PA to a Pottsville, PA owner. After 4 years of ownership, an ad was placed in the local paper that attracted a new owner, Mr. Dixon. With only 7,000 miles on the odometer, he drove his new car home to show the family in 1957! It would never trade hands again until acquired by the St. Louis Car Museum! The Dixon family enjoyed using this Kaiser Darrin regularly through approximately 1967 before it would get parked in the garage. It would be in 1984, when the owner"s son, John Dixon, would convince his dad to bring their special Darrin to their Fort Lauderdale residence to restore and enjoy once again. John would fly to their Pennsylvania home, conduct only minor maintenance to include new plugs & points, new battery, fresh engine oil and fuel, then drive some 1300 miles to Florida without incident!
Once in Florida, it would be enjoyed only sparingly until the father"s passing. It was then sent back to a PA restoration house in 2003 for a cosmetic restoration. This included new exterior paint in the correct, factory color, new interior upholstery material sourced from the Kaiser-Fraser Club, along with correct convertible top. Upon completion in 2005, it would come back to Florida and find its way to Bob Dunn of Custom Auto to ensure the mechanicals were in order. At this time, it had less than 57,000 original miles. Bob elected to replace the clutch & pressure plate, rebuild the generator & water pump, most engine gaskets, new voltage regulator, exhaust system, ignition system, and all fluids. Upon completion, John Dixon would enjoy seasonably for about 3,500 miles through April 2018. Today, the odometer reads only 61,138 miles! After arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, we changed the engine oil/filter, heater hoses, rebuilt the bouncing tachometer along with replacing the cable, replaced the front kingpins, installed new transmission mounts, changed the transmission fluid, repacked front wheel bearings, both headlights, replaced fresh air ducting, adjusted parking brake, and topped off the rear axle grease. Overall, it was already largely ready to enjoy! Showcasing a 13-year-old restoration, it presents today as a largely original example. Complete with extra keys, all tire changing tools include spare tire cover, side curtains, and documented ownership history. Please feel free to call with additional questions or submit an offer before it"s too late! Priced aggressively for the market considering its condition! Act quickly!
Contact us now at 855-586-3413 for more details! Contact us for more details: 855-586-3413 Call Dealer Photos Vehicle Warranty New Vehicles come with a full-factory warranty. Used vehicles may have a remaining-factory warranty, but please contact us for the warranty details specific to this vehicle. About St. Louis Car Museum Established in 1994, the St. Louis Car Museum & Sales has provided special interest vehicles and motorcycles to collectors and enthusiasts around the globe. Our variety of inventory is a testament to our passion for special interest vehicles of all kinds. Read below to learn more about us or check out our inventory of classic cars. We actively buy, sell, and trade everything from antiques and classics to muscle and European sports cars, vintage motorcycles, and automobilia. All vehicles are displayed in our combined 85,000+ square feet of Swiss Track Tile Flooring and climate controlled complex in St. Louis, Missouri just 10 minutes from Lambert International airport. Vehicles can be viewed Monday-Saturday during regular business hours, and appointments are encouraged to ensure vehicle availability. Contact us now at 855-586-3413 for more details! Contact us for more details: 855-586-3413 Call Dealer Terms and Conditions Finance, Warranty, Shipping question? - Call the dealer at 855-586-3413 Payment Options We accept the following payment methods:
- Cashier"s Check/money order
- Loan check from Financing Center
- Cash (in person)
- Personal check (once cleared)
Vehicle Pickup & Shipping All shipping charges are buyer"s responsibility. General Terms Notice to Bidders: All of the vehicles we list on are for sale locally. We reserve the right to end an auction early. All cars are immediately ready for delivery upon sale. Deposit: We require a non-refundable $500 deposit within 48 hours of winning the auction. Please call to make arrangements for payment. Payment Types: Cash in person, Certified Funds, Institutional Financing All sales transactions must be completed within 7 calendar days of auction close. Prices subject to change without notice and do not include Title, License, Registration Fees, State or Local Taxes or Processing Fees, if any. Please contact seller first for vehicle availability. Although every effort is made to present accurate and reliable information, use of this information is voluntary, and should only be deemed reliable after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to verify the existence of options, accessories and the vehicle condition before time of sale. Any and all differences must be addressed prior to time of sale. No expressed or implied warranties, including the availability or condition of the equipment listed is made. EPA mileage estimates for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary depending on driving conditions, driving habits, and vehicle maintenance. Fees and Taxes Sales tax, title, license fee, registration fee, dealer documentary fee, finance charges, emission testing fees, and compliance fees are additional to the advertised price. Vehicle is listed locally, we reserve the right to end the auction at any time.
As the European sports car market invaded the United States after WWII, American auto manufacturers took notice. Very few, if any, produced a 2-seater . . oriented sports car. By the early 1950"s, Jaguar, Austin Healey, Triumph, MG and other small English sports cars were finding garages in the United States, not to mention Alfa Romeo, Porsche, etc. Pushing an effort to supply a unique 2-seater for the Kaiser brand was designer Howard "Dutch" Darrin, a renowned automotive stylist for Packard and Duesenberg. Although, the longtime sedan oriented Henry J. Kaiser was a tough sell on pushing such an automobile, his selection of traditional family style automobiles was a major focus to save his namesake in an ever-growing market where larger firms were eating up their competition. Darrin was able to push his stunning Roadster with disappearing doors that slid into the front fenders forward to production, some say with the prodding of Mrs. Kaiser after seeing the design, so it would appear at the 1953 New York auto show with many admirers. Kaiser Motors was struggling as whole to stay alive, so only 435 Roadsters would be produced, and today represent the last of Dutch Darrin automotive legacy.
Offered here is a 1954 Kaiser Darrin 161 Roadster finished in factory code correct Pint Tint Green over Pint Tint Pincrush Vinyl upholstery with matching Vinyl Convertible Top. Powered by its original Continental 161ci Hurricane F-Head Inline 6 Cylinder Engine with factory Carter YF carburetion producing an approximate 90 horsepower, and 3-speed overdrive manual transmission. Features include wire spoke wheels, BF Goodrich Silvertown 6.50-15 wide whitewall tires, full dash instrumentation, wide turn signals, Plexiglas windscreens, engine oil filtration system, heat/defrost, tinted windscreen, front & rear bumper guards, fitted side curtains, and more!
This example was sold new from Lettier"s Garage, a Kaiser/Willys Dealership based in Hazleton, PA to a Pottsville, PA owner. After 4 years of ownership, an ad was placed in the local paper that attracted a new owner, Mr. Dixon. With only 7,000 miles on the odometer, he drove his new car home to show the family in 1957! It would never trade hands again until acquired by the St. Louis Car Museum! The Dixon family enjoyed using this Kaiser Darrin regularly through approximately 1967 before it would get parked in the garage. It would be in 1984, when the owner"s son, John Dixon, would convince his dad to bring their special Darrin to their Fort Lauderdale residence to restore and enjoy once again. John would fly to their Pennsylvania home, conduct only minor maintenance to include new plugs & points, new battery, fresh engine oil and fuel, then drive some 1300 miles to Florida without incident!
Once in Florida, it would be enjoyed only sparingly until the father"s passing. It was then sent back to a PA restoration house in 2003 for a cosmetic restoration. This included new exterior paint in the correct, factory color, new interior upholstery material sourced from the Kaiser-Fraser Club, along with correct convertible top. Upon completion in 2005, it would come back to Florida and find its way to Bob Dunn of Custom Auto to ensure the mechanicals were in order. At this time, it had less than 57,000 original miles. Bob elected to replace the clutch & pressure plate, rebuild the generator & water pump, most engine gaskets, new voltage regulator, exhaust system, ignition system, and all fluids. Upon completion, John Dixon would enjoy seasonably for about 3,500 miles through April 2018. Today, the odometer reads only 61,138 miles! After arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, we changed the engine oil/filter, heater hoses, rebuilt the bouncing tachometer along with replacing the cable, replaced the front kingpins, installed new transmission mounts, changed the transmission fluid, repacked front wheel bearings, both headlights, replaced fresh air ducting, adjusted parking brake, and topped off the rear axle grease. Overall, it was already largely ready to enjoy! Showcasing a 13-year-old restoration, it presents today as a largely original example. Complete with extra keys, all tire changing tools include spare tire cover, side curtains, and documented ownership history. Please feel free to call with additional questions or submit an offer before it"s too late! Priced aggressively for the market considering its condition! Act quickly!
Contact us now at 855-586-3413 for more details! Contact us for more details: 855-586-3413 Call Dealer Photos Vehicle Warranty New Vehicles come with a full-factory warranty. Used vehicles may have a remaining-factory warranty, but please contact us for the warranty details specific to this vehicle. About St. Louis Car Museum Established in 1994, the St. Louis Car Museum & Sales has provided special interest vehicles and motorcycles to collectors and enthusiasts around the globe. Our variety of inventory is a testament to our passion for special interest vehicles of all kinds. Read below to learn more about us or check out our inventory of classic cars. We actively buy, sell, and trade everything from antiques and classics to muscle and European sports cars, vintage motorcycles, and automobilia. All vehicles are displayed in our combined 85,000+ square feet of Swiss Track Tile Flooring and climate controlled complex in St. Louis, Missouri just 10 minutes from Lambert International airport. Vehicles can be viewed Monday-Saturday during regular business hours, and appointments are encouraged to ensure vehicle availability. Contact us now at 855-586-3413 for more details! Contact us for more details: 855-586-3413 Call Dealer Terms and Conditions Finance, Warranty, Shipping question? - Call the dealer at 855-586-3413 Payment Options We accept the following payment methods:
- Cashier"s Check/money order
- Loan check from Financing Center
- Cash (in person)
- Personal check (once cleared)
Vehicle Pickup & Shipping All shipping charges are buyer"s responsibility. General Terms Notice to Bidders: All of the vehicles we list on are for sale locally. We reserve the right to end an auction early. All cars are immediately ready for delivery upon sale. Deposit: We require a non-refundable $500 deposit within 48 hours of winning the auction. Please call to make arrangements for payment. Payment Types: Cash in person, Certified Funds, Institutional Financing All sales transactions must be completed within 7 calendar days of auction close. Prices subject to change without notice and do not include Title, License, Registration Fees, State or Local Taxes or Processing Fees, if any. Please contact seller first for vehicle availability. Although every effort is made to present accurate and reliable information, use of this information is voluntary, and should only be deemed reliable after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to verify the existence of options, accessories and the vehicle condition before time of sale. Any and all differences must be addressed prior to time of sale. No expressed or implied warranties, including the availability or condition of the equipment listed is made. EPA mileage estimates for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary depending on driving conditions, driving habits, and vehicle maintenance. Fees and Taxes Sales tax, title, license fee, registration fee, dealer documentary fee, finance charges, emission testing fees, and compliance fees are additional to the advertised price. Vehicle is listed locally, we reserve the right to end the auction at any time.