Technical "Stuff"

[pjkaiser]

In two weeks my Darrin is going in for restoration, it looks nice but the fiberglass is not good underneath, it is coming apart.     I drove it for 2 1/2 years and it needs to be done.   I need some technical stuff from those of you who have done this before.   

1.  What is the proper ride height of the car?

2.  Is there a modern paint code for Red Sail Laquer?   I would like to be as close as possible to the original color.

3.  My Drivers seat is bolted to the floor, I just found out talking with another member that there should be an adjuster under the seat.   Is there one out there???

4.  What can I use for the Door Channels and what bearings do I use to slide in those channels??

5.  Will the trunk carpet be the same color as the carpet in the front of the car???   

6.  What is the proper carpet for the car??

[joefrazer]

I can't answer every question, but I can help with a few.

I did some research a few years ago when I had my Darrin and the result is this page on my website.

http://www.kaiserfrazercars.com/darrinpg.htm

Reading thru it, I noticed I didn't mention the trunk carpet. It should be the same color as that in the passenger compartment.

[pjkaiser]

There is a lot of good basic information in that article.  Thank you for directing me to it, this article will guide me in many of my decisions on how to restore the body.     I will still need answers to my first four questions.

The article brought up another question.   What color green is the engine and transmission.   It states what it is not.   Can I get a modern paint code for the proper Kaiser dark green?

[Terry T]

Bottom of bumper-to-ground  clearance is 12" front, 13" rear.
Red sail was PPG DDL-72020.  Any good paint shop can convert to the technology you want to use.
Seat adjuster was unique to Darrin (driver side only) and basically not needed unless you are a very small person.  At 5'8" I have it all they way rearward, so I would recommend to merely fab some seat risers to get the seat bottom off of the floor.
Extruded door rails haven't been available for many years.  Machine them from Alum. bar stock.
Bearings were not used in the rails--they tend to beat themselves into the rails with use.  Nylon sliders were used.
Only one source for the proper engine paint--Gary Micanek, 636-227-7046. This has been discussed at length in previous posts.

[pjkaiser]

Thanks Terry, I was talking with a non-member who has had a Darrin since '91.   When I asked him about ride hight, he said he didn't know but that his car is lower on the right by one inch.   It's the same with my Darrin.   He said when he sits in it, the car becomes level.   Was that built in to the cars.

I will give Gary a call.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Hey Guys.  For years people in the club have known PPG Jobbers can get almost all KF colors by contacting the PPG Color Library.  They need the original paint code number and name and the library provides this at no charge to the Jobber in support of the sale.  Jobbers are not supposed to pass on the mix formula to the customer as the info is considered proprietary. 

Remember also this should be a lacquer rather than enamel if you are a stickler for originality.  Lacquer was used because the heat from the high bake lamps used for enamel would warp the fiberglass.