Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => Darrin Forum => Topic started by: darrin502 on November 13, 2012, 11:11:04 PM
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I have been working on #51 and it is coming along nicely. I am hoping to have it finished for the next national convention. The paint looks kind of green but it is actually white. I think it is because of the paint booth and the florescent lights. Working on the frame now. This one will be a driver. Let me know what you think, I hope you all enjoy the pictures. I will post more as it comes together.
Get your cars to some of the local car shows, you have no idea how much fun it is and most of them the money goes to allot of worthy causes.
Lee
http://assets1.hubgarage.com/mygarage/darrin502/vehicles/88518
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Wow, the pictures are great. The car looked a bit rough but most of it seemed to be there. I noticed no windshield wipers. Do you have them? Can't wait to see more pictures. The body looks great after painting.
I agree so much, just get the cars out there and let others see this wonderful looking car that amazes all who see it.
pj
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Thanks for replying, I have all the parts many at the chrome shop. As things progress i wiil post more pics
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I have added more pics on the restoration of #51 Hoping to have it done by the end of March.
http://assets2.hubgarage.com/mygarage/darrin502/vehicles/88518
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Looking good Lee.
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I would like to see your cars the next time I am in Phoenix visiting my son and his family.
If that would be ok, my email is pjmiata@hotmail.com for your address. I have Darrin # 81 and it's a driver.
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Looking really good. It's fun to see the restoration pictures.
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Things have slowed on the restoration I think another 6 months should do it. I hope. I will have my other 2 Darrins at the convention. Maybe # 3 next convention.
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Next Convention will be Puyallup Washington ... That would be fantastic!
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Since my last post I have been to the Convention in Shipshewana had a great time. I have posted a link to the pics I took there on the general thread under 2013 Shipshewana convention, check them out.
I have added a new link to the pics of Darrin 51, These pics show the installation of a 1954 Cadillac 331 V8 engine. It has proved to be a very difficult install trying to keep everything in its stock location. The steering box is the hardest thing to deal with. I have worked it out but it was not easy. Getting this engine in with a hydromatic transmission was also difficult. I tried to find any pictures of the Cadillac engine Dutch supposedly installed in Darrins but could not find any. I am beginning to think that the roomer of the Dutch Darrin Cadillac engine installs is a myth.
Be that as it may I will have one soon. Still a little ways off but it will happen. The new pics that I have uploaded are of the Cadillac 331 install.
Enjoy
I guess it will be modified but with the Dutch Darrin flavor.
What do you think???
http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/darrin502/vehicles/88518
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Lee, As I recall from years ago Fred Roth's Darrin had a Cad V8 engine. I remember that Dutch said he would be happy to certify that it was one of his even though no one was sure if was.
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Looking great, Lee!
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Just an update on #51.
Hope to have it on the road by the end of February. Got the Cady engine running and the hydramatic trans ready. Getting ready to paint the engine the proper dark blue color and then back in the car.
This will be one I am going to drive, maybe not 1000 mi trips but many shorter trips. Not much room for luggage and they do tend to leak when it rains.
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Had the 1954 331 Cadillac motor running it seamed a little tired so I did a comp test and a leak down test. I decided to rebuild the motor. Took it apart and am getting the machine work done now. Most of the wiring is done, converted to 12 volts everything works great. Lights, brake lights, turn sig, heater, wiper. Hydro transmission rebuilt, stock steering in and working, backyard alignment done. Hope to have motor and trans in by mid April.
Should be done by convention.
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Well it is mid April and I am still not finished😣
I have done most of the small things but I am still waiting on the machine shop to finish the motor. Should be next week. Getting close to the convention. I will make it may not be totally done but it will drive.
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Still waiting for the engine, went to the machine shop today and I will get it back tomorrow. Then the assembly starts. I installed the passenger door yesterday and drilled and installed the kaiser darrin script and madalion on the trunk lid. This has been a real slow process but they have all been. It is worth the many hours of work to build a vintage car. Getting short on time for the convention but I am determined to make it. Hope to see everyone there.
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Looking Great!
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Thanks
Got the motor today getting ready to put in the bare block with heads and hydro to get exhaust, radiator, linkages, drivshaft etc. then take motor out and assemble paint then back in and drive.
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Great photos, you're getting a lot of work done and it's looking fantastic!
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Here are a few pics of the motor in the car it is just in for set up purposes. I have the accelerator linkage hooked up, the shifter for the hydro took me 9 hours to figure out to be able to use the original Darrin shifter, now I am working on the throttle pressure linkage and the exhaust system. I did finish the drive shaft it is 28" long. I had the original radiator done and it fits in the stock location.
putting a 1954 331 Cadillac engine and a 1953 Oldsmobile hydro in a Darrin using the stock steering and not relocating the radiator is a huge job. I still think that the roomer that Dutch did it may be a myth. I have had to use things that weren't available when Dutch would have done it. I have not been able to find one picture of a Darrin with a Caddy that he did. I am sure that if he had sold any or that he had done it there would be a picture somewhere. There are pictures of all things automotive but not this. I think he would have been proud of this and would have taken many pictures. If anyone out there has a picture please send it to me it would sure help me. I am working hard to have this car at the National. I hope the people will be as excited to see it as I am building it. It will be a driver which is what I am most excited about.
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Hi All
I got the exhaust done, the long block is together and painted and will be going in the car tomorrow. Then it is hook everything up start the engine and get it to the National. I am running out of time so wish me luck. Here are a few pics of the exhaust and the engine painted.
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51 is together and running. Two test drives today. Corrected small problems. It will be at the national. Still a few more things to do but I still have a few days left.
See everyone at the national.
Lee
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Car is done. 12 hours a day for the last 2 weeks. Hope everyone likes it it is modified. I will call it the Dutch Darrin special. Myth to reality.
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Beautiful car you've got there- wish the National were not 2500 miles from me or I would be there!
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Wanted to let everyone know that I finished the car at 12:30 AM the night before we left for WA. I think it came out great and the people at the convention liked it. It was worth all the long hours to get it done. I am going to drive this one.
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Just an update
Installed a 1969 8" narrowed Merc Cougar rear axel with a 2.79 gear and it cruises the highway at 75 to 80 with radial tires just great. Drove over 200 mi to Phoenix and back with out any problems. I have over 1500 mi on it now and it is a blast to drive.
Check out this picture that Rudy Phillips took when I was at his house working on the hydromatic trany. As Rudy says I have my BYSON transmission tech overseeing the rebuild.
See you at the Convention
Lee