Vehicle Description
Identification No. 3495435
Engine No. 3495464
Body No. 1621-1325
The Kaiser-Darrin had its genesis in a fiberglass roadster design
study, styled by the renowned Classic Era automobile designer
Howard "Dutch" Darrin with his trademark elan, including the
distinctive "Darrin dip" behind the sweeping front doors. Along
with the tapered nose extending to a tiny rosebud grille that one
wag commented "looked like it was ready to give you a kiss," those
doors were the car's most distinctive feature. They slid in and out
of the front fenders, rather than opening into the street, a design
that Darrin felt was safer for passengers and pedestrians
alike.
Darrin had built the car on the basis of Kaiser-Frazer's pioneering
compact car, the Henry J, without Henry J. Kaiser's approval. As
the tale is told, when Kaiser saw the prototype, he was angered by
its creation and said that he had no intention of building a sports
car - until his young wife commented that it was the most beautiful
thing that she had ever seen. Soon the Kaiser-Darrin was in
production as a new "halo car" for the independent automaker, still
based on Henry J engineering including an F-head six-cylinder
engine. Like the original Corvette, it was a sporty boulevardier
with style to spare. Just 435 copies were produced in a single
season of production.
The example offered here is finished in its correct color of Yellow
Satin with yellow upholstery, both matching the trim codes on the
firewall tag, accompanied by 80/20 loop carpeting and a matching
glass shifter ball, the latter a wonderful touch. Restored prior to
the Gateway Automobile Museum's acquisition in 2010, it has a
replacement serial number tag with a new identification number. At
the time of cataloging, it exhibited only 373 miles, and aside from
minor cracking in the steering wheel remains in very good overall
condition, with nice chrome and tinted windshield glass. Wire
wheels and hubcaps are a dressy touch, while Coker whitewall radial
tires provide good roadability for driving. Accompanying are side
curtains and a convertible top matching the body color, as well as
a full-sized spare wheel and tire.
Few automobiles catch as much attention as the Kaiser-Darrin, one
of the most memorable American sports cars, of which this is a
worthy specimen.
Collection Guarantee Disclosure
Please note that as part of a larger collection to be offered at
live and online auctions, the Consignor of the Gateway Collection
has been guaranteed a minimum price for certain cars, including
this Lot, by Broad Arrow. Depending on the final Hammer Price
obtained for those Lots, Broad Arrow may benefit financially.
