Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: jamestyler520 on July 28, 2012, 01:42:43 PM

Title: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: jamestyler520 on July 28, 2012, 01:42:43 PM

I noticed the words Darrin Style  in actor located on the lower right side of the trunk of my 48 Frazer Manhattan. I never noticed it myself but the question came up at a show I am at today.

Also. Is there such thing as backup lights for the same car. An attendee at the sa
E show said his parents or relative had it on their car.

Title: Re: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: Terry T on July 28, 2012, 03:55:52 PM

Dutch Darrin was involved in the design of KF products.

Title: Re: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: kaiserfrazerlibrary on July 29, 2012, 11:59:37 AM

The original agreement between Graham-Paige (written before the formation of Kaiser-Frazer) called for Howard Darrin to license his design to Graham (and later, the agreement was amended to include K-F) with Dutch retaining actual ownership.  He got 75 cents a car for each car built using the design as well as the chrome "Darrin Styled" emblem to tell the world the car was designed by Darrin.  While the actual cut-off date varies according to source, there is a Kaiser-Frazer service bulletin from 1948 that indicates the emblem would no longer be put on cars at the factory.  The emblem came back on the 1951-52 Virginian Kaisers under the same deal.  They were dropped for 1949-50 and after the 1952 Virginians because K-F styling made enough changes to consititute a new design. 

Title: Re: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: Fid on July 29, 2012, 01:46:46 PM

A '48 KF with the Darrin Styled is a bit unusual but not extremely rare. Only the early '48s had that on them. My '48 Frazer didn't.
To answer the rest of your question, yes there was a back up light kit available for the 1947/48 Kaisers and Frazers. The 1948 Parts Book lists it as part number 200028 and it consists of a single light fixture a switch and associated wiring. There's no picture in the parts book but I believe the light itself is the same as the parking light. I've seen owners find a parking light and use makeshifts for the switch and wires and mount it on the car. Most people wouldn't know the difference.

Title: Re: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: kaiserfrazerlibrary on July 29, 2012, 08:02:19 PM

1947-48 Model Years had 3 different types of back-up light.  There was the more or less generic guide type that attached to the bumperguards, a round, flush mount on the quarter panels and one that looked like the parking light.  Check the 1947-48 Accessories item in KFOCI HANDBOOK Version 4.0 for part numbers.

Title: Re: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: jamestyler520 on July 30, 2012, 05:48:42 PM

I dont think I have a handbook but I did just order the Service Manual and Owners Manual for the 48 Frazer. Getting a Service Manual was a recommendation in an earlier post on the Forum and I really need one.

My hood hinge just broke on the Passenger side and I need to get a replacement  as well as new springs. The ones I have have lost some of their ability to hold the hood up.

Do you know anything about the pressure range I should get for a radiator cap?

Title: Re: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: mbflemingkf on July 30, 2012, 09:19:30 PM

James, please check my list.  If there's anything I can help with, please let me know.

www.tarheelkf.com

Thanks, Mike

Title: Re: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: jamestyler520 on August 01, 2012, 12:11:50 AM

Thanks for the link to the catalog. I am sure I will be calling you  :)

Title: Re: What does the words Darrin Style indicate
Post by: Bulletin Editor on August 01, 2012, 08:42:09 AM

Quote from: jamestyler520 on July 30, 2012, 05:48:42 PM

I dont think I have a handbook

If you did not receive the handbook CD when you joined the club, contact Mike Neubecker.