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 into
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,
and 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 wheel covers, BF Goodrich Silvertown 6.50-15
wide whitewall tires, full dash instrumentation, 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 3
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 2005 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 2008, 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!