Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => Darrin Forum => Topic started by: 324darrin on June 28, 2017, 04:57:57 PM
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Hello Gents, I just acquired a Darrin from near Sacramento. It was 111 degrees when we loaded it. The owner has had the car since 1963. it has been sitting since 1970. Although mostly complete, there are a few items that need to be sourced. The owner had the car added to the Registry in 1985. It is listed in that years roster as #003. A previous owner got tired of having his pride shattered by Corvettes so he dropped in a 324 Oldsmobile Rocket V8 with a Hydramatic transmission. For lack of anything original to put under the hood, I am planning on trying to get the 324 running. I guess for no other reason than that's the way it was altered originally and so that adds to its history.
I read recently that at one point in the cars development, Kaiser was in negotiations with Olds to acquire Rocket engines to put in the Darrins but negotiations stalled when Olds raised the unit price too much. Mine might be an example of what might have been.
Any clues as to getting a set of stock wheels. I believe that the spare is a stock wheel. The tires on the car are so large that the steering wheel cannot to turned more than a few degrees without rubbing the fenders. I don't know why he put them on the car unless he got them for free and needed something to just make it roll.
I am attaching a few poor photos for your entertainment. The first two are in my shop and the third is the gentleman I bought the car from and the Darrin coming out of its cave after 47 years in storage. Steve (324darrin)
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Welcome to Darrin ownership. Keep us updated on the work you do. Your car is an interesting color.
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Wow, that's been tucked away a long time!
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The wheels are the same as Henry J and are readily available. The correct tire size is 5.90x15 but most folks use 6.40x15 tires.
Looks good, I like it!
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Looking at the pictures more closely, the right front rim appears to be the correct one - just the wrong size tire. If the other three rims match the right front, then you have the right ones.
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Thanks for the replies. The wheels on the car have hubcap tabs near the center for small hubcaps. I assumed that the Darrin would not have those as all seem to have full wheel covers. If I, in fact, have the correct wheels already then I am way ahead of the game.
I fouled up on one of the pics. So here is the one I meant to attach. Steve
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Darrin and Henry J wheels are the same with the exception of the tabs. Remove them and you'll be good to go.
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I like the looks of your garage!
I didn't notice the mini hood scoop in the other pictures.
What will you do next after the wheel and tires???
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The hood scoop is to clear the air cleaner of the Olds V8. The plan is to get the hood latch to operate. I haven't even seen the engine except from underneath the car. I will retire in less than a year and this was supposed to be one of my retirement projects but of course I wont be able to keep my hands off of it for that long. The car was originally white with the requisite red interior. The gentleman from whom I acquired the car did not like the way the three position top looked so he cut the bows down and had a new top made for it. When I get to it, I will put the top up and see how it looks to me. Maybe over the fourth. By the way, Happy 4th to all. Steve
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Congratulations and welcome! Nice to see another come out of its slumber!