This 1954 Kaiser Darrin carries that rare legacy with a twist. Originally equipped with the factory F-head six, it was later restored by local enthusiast Phillip Bray. During restoration, the car received a powerful 1962 Cadillac V-8 paired with a modern 5-speed manual transmission, along with a Ford 9-inch rear axle, transforming this already-innovative classic into a unique blend of vintage style and modern performance.

Company History

In the early 1950s, Kaiser-Frazer sought a halo car, something sleek and glamorous that would draw attention to their lineup. To achieve it, they turned to legendary designer Howard “Dutch” Darrin. The result was the striking Kaiser-Darrin, a sports car that pushed the boundaries of both design and engineering.

The Kaiser-Darrin introduced bold innovations that set it apart from anything else on the road. Darrin crafted the car’s body from fiberglass, months before Chevrolet debuted the Corvette. Even more daring was his patented sliding-door design, a concept he first envisioned in 1922 but finally brought to life in production form. Under the hood, Kaiser-Frazer installed their F-head version of the 226 CID six-cylinder, producing 118 horsepower.

Unfortunately, the car’s brilliance couldn’t save it from harsh realities. High costs and Kaiser-Frazer’s growing financial struggles limited production to just 435 examples in 1954, making the Darrin one of the rarest American sports cars ever built.