Messages

1

Darrin Forum / Re: 1003 Darrin history

« on: January 08, 2023, 03:27:39 PM »

I noticed that the prototype photo has rocker moldings. Uncle ray removed rocker molding trim from the car after he bought it for $600 in 1963. He also removed other chrome add-ons that were not stock like fender top spears, fog lights and spotlight. He left the hood scoop but had the top frame cut down which reconfigured the top profile.  The photo at the dealership does not have the molding so it was probably added along with the othere goodies when it was customized. Thanks for the 1953 photo. Are there any side pics of the prototype car? My car has the rear fender cutouts tapered at the rear. We figured that this was done during the customization for some reason. Steve

2

Darrin Forum / Re: 1003 Darrin history

« on: January 06, 2023, 08:41:10 PM »

Here are the three items I received from the Nordeen Family. Steve

3

Darrin Forum / Re: 1003 Darrin history

« on: January 05, 2023, 10:52:27 PM »

I read an article some time ago that Darrin 1001 was well documented and had been restored. Am I mistaken? I remember that it set a sales record of 200K. Steve

4

Darrin Forum / 1003 Darrin history

« on: January 04, 2023, 03:08:20 PM »

Gentlemen and Women, have to share some exciting news that we received a few weeks ago about the early days of our Darrin. A fellow from the midwest by the name of Bill, who's father was a Kaiser dealer, contacted Phil Jelinek, our Darrin registry manager, to inquire as to the current owner of Darrin #3 if it still exsisted. Phil forwarded the email to us and, to our utter joy, discovered that Bill's father took delivery of the Darrin on December 24th 1953 and kept the car for nearly a year to use in TV and print advertising for the dealership. The dealer was Cliff Nordeen Kaiser, Fraser, Willys of Green Bay , Wisconsin. Bill had some memorabilia from the car that he sent, including a dealer sticker that was standard practice to adhere to the cars they sold, a great photo of the car in front of the dealership's sign and the coolest thing is a plexiglass license plate that is white with large red letters displaying KAISER DARRIN. According to Bill, the plate was provided by Kaiser Corp. to use for display. Have any of you readers ever seen or heard mentioned a plate like this? There can't be too many around. Anyway, I thought some of you might find this interesting. Now all I have to do is find out how and when it made it's way to Southern California before 1963 LOL. It's been in the family since then. Steve and Adella 

5

Henry J & Allstate Forum / Re: Henry J / Darrin front shock replacement

« on: October 06, 2022, 10:32:40 PM »

Fid, Your instructions were spot on. I ran into some other issues with the lower A arms not taking grease so of course one thing led to another and pretty soon I had the lower suspension out of the car. Took advantage and blasted and repainted all parts. Looks like new now and with the new shocks should ride like new as well. Again, many thanks, Steve

6

Henry J & Allstate Forum / Re: Henry J / Darrin front shock replacement

« on: September 25, 2022, 02:18:25 PM »

Thanks, will tackle it today with any luck. Steve

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Henry J & Allstate Forum / Re: Henry J / Darrin front shock replacement

« on: September 24, 2022, 09:57:10 PM »

Fid, thanks for the instructions on removing the front shock. As you mentioned, the spring will need to be compressed so as to not have pressure on the cup. It seems that  raising the chassis to the piont of the suspension hanging at the lowest point would be beneficial. I'll have to remove the spring blocks to compress. Maybe I don't even need them .  Steve

8

Darrin Forum / Darrin shock absorber replacement

« on: September 24, 2022, 10:52:15 AM »

Hi folks, It appears that the coil springs need to be removed in order to facilitate the extraction of the shock absorbers on Henry Js and Darrins. Also My rig has spring blocks (2) installed in each coil spring. I think this was an attempt to dampen the spring travel due to the installation of a V8 engine. I'm leaning toward removing those blocks. I can always reinstall them if necessary. thanks for your input. Steve

9

Henry J & Allstate Forum / Henry J / Darrin front shock replacement

« on: September 24, 2022, 10:50:31 AM »

Hi folks, It appears that the coil springs need to be removed in order to facilitate the extraction of the shock absorbers on Henry Js and Darrins. Also My rig has spring blocks (2) installed in each coil spring. I think this was an attempt to dampen the spring travel due to the installation of a V8 engine. I'm leaning toward removing those blocks. I can always reinstall them if necessary. thanks for your input. Steve

10

Darrin Forum / Re: Windshield washer nozzle

« on: December 09, 2021, 09:06:16 PM »

Yes Terry, I am saying that my wiper bezels have no holes in them or anywhere else on the cowl. I may be wrong but my theory is that several of the early production cars had no provision for washer units. A check with owners of early cars might corroborate this. Just my 2 cents. Steve

11

Darrin Forum / Re: Windshield washer nozzle

« on: November 15, 2021, 10:04:51 PM »

bmcnut, It may be that not all Darrins came with windshield washer nozzles. I have a low production number Darrin and there is no sign that it ever had a washer unit. Is there an obvious place for one on your car? What number is your Darrin? The 324 in my handle refers to the Olds V8 that currently resides in the engine compartment. My serial number is 1003 Steve

12

Darrin Forum / Re: Darrin horn assy.

« on: April 15, 2021, 11:17:41 AM »

Warren, the horn ring removes just like most other makes in that it must be pushed in and turned counter clockwise. The rubber donut from the mfg. fund that I bought fit perfectly. Steve

13

Darrin Forum / Spared from the flames

« on: September 13, 2020, 10:07:00 PM »

We had the Darrin on the trailer and two rigs loaded ready to evacuate the Riverside fire in Clackamas County, Oregon. The entire county was on a 1 level alert for several days when the fire officials raised our area to level 2. that means load up your stuff and get ready to leave. We were on that status for three days praying for cooler weather and calm winds. Our prayers were answered as we are now back to level 1 but still on alert. We feel very fortunate as hundreds upon hundreds of homes have been lost in Oregon alone. Our friends at the Oregon coast lost their nearly new retirement home to the fire that swept to Lincoln City. Very sad.  Steve

14

Darrin Forum / Re: Wheel Cylinder Cup Expanders

« on: August 24, 2020, 08:53:25 PM »

I just bought a 39-55 Ford Mercury Frazer Kaiser Wheel Cylinder Repair Kit off eBay that I did not need to get the expanders. $27 with shipping is worth having reliable brakes. Steve

15

Darrin Forum / Re: Wheel Cylinder Cup Expanders

« on: August 24, 2020, 08:43:41 PM »

Thanks for the reply. NAPA has been my go-to parts house for over 40 years. They failed me. The guy I bought the wheel cylinders did not respond to my inquiry. I broke down and made them out of sheet copper. I know that they might loose their form over time due to the softness of the material but that was all I could think of to get back on the road. Steve