Author Topic: 1954 Kaiser Darrin  (Read 18838 times)

darrin502

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #45 on: August 15, 2014, 09:25:01 PM »
The hard tops are available I have 1 haven't used it yet need a rear window and hold down hardware.
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

51Deluxe

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #46 on: August 17, 2014, 01:07:11 PM »
Over a 20 year period, it's likely to increase. Classic cars have a long track record of price increases. However, and this is a big one- just like the stock market and real estate market, there will be booms, busts and periodic corrections. I believe we are on the verge of a major correction due to investors driving up prices. But that's just short term.

Being a unique and rare fiberglas car, I think the Darrin is  more likely to increase in value than the average Kaiser. It's better than money in the bank, if you bought it right.

Gordie

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #47 on: November 25, 2014, 08:23:49 PM »
Is Dutch Darrin's son still around?  Wasn't he helping Dutch run the dealership toward the end?  Did you guys read all of those articles that the gentleman from Florida made available to us earlier on this website?  He is a specialist on fiberglass cars and has done much research on lots of them.
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DTort96646

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #48 on: December 14, 2014, 07:29:24 AM »
Jake, Did he ask you how many miles you wanted on it?

darrin502

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #49 on: December 14, 2014, 11:01:27 PM »
Jake if u don't want it have him call me.
Lee
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

joefrazer

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #50 on: March 12, 2015, 05:55:17 AM »
In the investment car market (read - a place to make money) for KF, there's the Darrin and then there's everything else. Darrins caught on as investment grade and prices skyrocketed and owners suddenly found themselves sitting on a comfortable nest egg. But, that's only for the best cars. The cost to restore one has increased significantly so a gap is forming. Well done cars will command a premium and the others will see prices flatten. So, a good driver should be in the $40k range before too long in my opinion.

darrin502

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #51 on: September 09, 2016, 07:41:39 AM »
Restorations come in all forms, some good some not so good.
Good restorations will bring much more then not so good ones.
Many people want Darrins just to have one not for the quality of the car. I have taken my Darrins to over 300 car shows all over the country and have only seen one other Darrin except at the KF convention. These cars seem to be in colections or in garages but not at car shows. Because there are so few of them they will comand big $$ for nice cars.
If you see some of these decent Darrins for low prices I am always interested.
leeabrahams@cox.net

LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

darrin502

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #52 on: February 03, 2017, 10:09:32 AM »
This car has been up 3 or 4 times now never reaches its reserve.
I think it got to $92,000 once and didn't sell.
I think a well restored Darrin will still bring a good price. Cars always look better in pictures.
I tell people go see the car you want to buy.
Lee
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

pjkaiser

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #53 on: April 04, 2018, 11:11:33 AM »
Whatever someone will pay for it at that time!!
54 Darrin # 81
53 Kaiser Traveler Deluxe
51 Custom Henry J (Concept Car?)

Terry T

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #54 on: April 04, 2018, 11:44:26 AM »
EXCELLENT

Gordie

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #55 on: April 04, 2018, 12:35:57 PM »
Darrin did put a Cadillac engine in at least one Darrin.  Old ads of his appeared in Motor Trend and similar magazines and a year later he was still trying to sell it.  Buying fifty leftover Darrin's from K-W has never been substantiated and is just a misguided rumor like the Muntz pick-ups.  We have discussed this earlier in this forum.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2018, 12:39:57 PM by Gordie »
Member #3151 Since June 1974
Vice President K.F.O.C.I. 2013-2017  President 2018-2019
'47 Graham Paige Frazer                                   
'51 Kaiser Deluxe club coupe       
'51 Kaiser customized convertible 
'52 Allstate serial#39
'53 Aero Eagle
'54 Aero Eagle Custom

darrin502

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #56 on: April 04, 2018, 01:34:50 PM »
Gordie
Did you ever see a picture of the the engine installed?
If you have one please send it to me.
I can tell you from my experience they run so good with a Cadillac engine and a 2.69 gear in the rear.
I drive mine as often as I can.
Lee
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

Gordie

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #57 on: April 04, 2018, 02:18:30 PM »
Darrin was usually low key about his projects and I have heard stories about how he would not let anyone hang out in his Hollywood Blvd dealership and work area where the Darrin and other projects were worked on.  I seem to recall his asking $5,000 for his Cadillac powered Darrin at a time when stock Darrin's were selling for around $3,000.  Selling his for $5,000 must have been a hard sell and he was probably losing money on it because of the cost of the engine and transmission and all of the conversion work he must have done to get the job completed.  Perhaps that early Palm Springs race car was his.  Because of the high rate of Darrin survival it is possible that the car is among us somewhere unless it was wrecked or met a different fate.  I've never seen photos of its construction or of the construction of any of his other projects.  That photo of Darrin's dealership with the Darrin in the showroom could have been the V-8 conversion as he tried to sell it for over a year and it is unlikely that he was going to convert any more of them.
Member #3151 Since June 1974
Vice President K.F.O.C.I. 2013-2017  President 2018-2019
'47 Graham Paige Frazer                                   
'51 Kaiser Deluxe club coupe       
'51 Kaiser customized convertible 
'52 Allstate serial#39
'53 Aero Eagle
'54 Aero Eagle Custom

darrin502

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #58 on: April 04, 2018, 04:25:23 PM »
thanks Gordie
LM #1068
1954 Darrin # 103
1954 Darrin #  60
1954 Darrin #  51
1954 Darrin #  91
1954 Darrin # 394
1954 Darrin # 193
1959 Corvette
1968 Corvette
1968 Mustang
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye Sprite
2002 Limited Edition Camaro

Terry T

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Re: 1954 Kaiser Darrin
« Reply #59 on: April 04, 2018, 06:20:37 PM »
the family has confirmed to me that Dutch did only one Caddy conversion and the "50" that he bought is a myth