1954 Kaiser Darrin 2-Sliding Door Roadster

Engine: 161 cu. in. (2.6L) Cast-iron block, I-6
Output: 90 HP @ 4,200 RPM
Transmission: 3-Speed Manual
Wheelbase: 100 in.
Overall Length: 183 in.
Weight: 2,175 lbs.
Top Speed: 96 MPH
No. Produced: 435
Original Price: $3,655
Manufacturer: Kaiser-Frazer
Body by: Darrin

The Kaiser Darrin was one of the first American mass-produced fiberglass-bodied sports cars. In the early 1950s, Henry J. Kaiser asked consulting designer Howard “Dutch” Darrin to create a low-slung sports roadster. Accompanied by his wife, Kaiser visited Darrin’s workshop to unveil the prototype. Kaiser was unimpressed; however, his wife was dazzled by Darrin’s design. She convinced her husband to put the stylish two-seater into limited production. On January 6, 1954, the car was released for sale.

Acclaimed in promotional materials as “the sports car America has been waiting for,” the Kaiser Darrin had two unique features: doors that slid open and a three-position convertible top. Color choices were yellow satin, cream, red, and light green. Despite the car’s sleek, stylish looks, sales were flat, and it was discontinued in mid-1954. Dutch Darrin purchased the unsold models and installed supercharged Cadillac engines in some of them, putting “sport” into the term sports car.