Register now to get rid of these ads!

Projects A new project, not a HOT ROD but ???

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 64gtoguy, Apr 7, 2011.

  1. 64gtoguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 277

    64gtoguy
    Member

    I have been after this car since the late 70's. The old guy that owned it just wouldn't let it go. He recently passed away and his wife decided to sell the car. I had no idea this was happening untill a friend of mine was talking about this car he had bought. Bummer ! well at least it didn't get too far away. Maybe I'll get another shot at it. In the meantime, I'll be watching the restoration process and helping when I can........... Most of you guys have seen these cars........ but probably you young guys haven't. It is a Kaiser Darrin. Fiberglass Body with a Willys I6 and overdrive...... A really neet car.
    A few pics.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. love the leopard print paint effect.
     
  3. UncleJoey
    Joined: Apr 2, 2009
    Posts: 91

    UncleJoey
    Member

    I love the oddballs. Those were really neat cars...still are. Hope you eventually get your hands on it.
     
  4. TexasSpeed
    Joined: Nov 2, 2009
    Posts: 4,631

    TexasSpeed
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Texas

    That car has the doors that slide forward into the front fenders right? I can just make out the lip that seems to be just a tad bigger than the doors which makes more sense for my theory.. Pretty cool car. That thing is begging for a multi-carb Nailhead and 4-speed.

    There's some older MGs and other small European cars out at a local junkyard that I can just envision stuffed with an Olds Rocket motor with a stick.
     

  5. gretschhead
    Joined: Nov 17, 2010
    Posts: 13

    gretschhead
    Member
    from Taylor

    true works of art..... along the lines of their british contemporaries.
    unfortunatly not good enough for the big market of the days
     
  6. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    Custom/Sport's car. Any idea of how many were built? Motor?
     
  7. 64gtoguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 277

    64gtoguy
    Member

    Correct Speed, the doors do slide into pockets in the front fenders. I had envisioned a 215 Rockette aluminum mill under the hood,,,,,,,, although a Nailhead would be neet as well.
     
  8. 64gtoguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 277

    64gtoguy
    Member

    I think something less than 600 were built. It has a Hurricane 6 cylinder motor/3spd overdrive. Same stuff used in Jeeps (I think)
     
  9. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,579

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Wait til Metalshapes sees this..................very cool.
     
  10. sad story, but true, there used to be one at Rays auto wrecking in everett. The owner Ray had it setting out in the weather and wouldn't sell it or parts off it. I looked over that thing many times till the yard closed up. I have no idea what happened to it.
     
  11. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    435 Kaiser Darrins were produced, all 1954 models.

    With overdrive they got about 30 mpg. Did 0-60 in 13 seconds, 100 mph top speed.

    Dutch Darrin was disappointed in the project, and bought about 100 leftovers from the factory, fitted them with Cadillac V8s and sold them for $4350 at his Los Angeles showroom. The Caddy-powered cars were capable of 140 mph.
     
  12. TexasSpeed
    Joined: Nov 2, 2009
    Posts: 4,631

    TexasSpeed
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Texas

    Caddy-powered Kaiser Darrins? Now we're talking! :cool:


    iPhone - TJJ App
     
  13. phukinartie
    Joined: Oct 8, 2008
    Posts: 965

    phukinartie
    Member

    I have a nephew named Darrin He kinda looks funny like that too!
     
  14. wade k
    Joined: Apr 11, 2010
    Posts: 10

    wade k
    Member

    Cool car worth a lot restored.
    ROD IT!!!
     
  15. Aman
    Joined: Dec 28, 2005
    Posts: 2,522

    Aman
    Member
    from Texas

    Wow that is a cool looking little car. I'd love to see how the doors work thou. Never heard of these so thanks for the thread and would love to see some more snaps of it off the trailer and the doors open. Thanks again.
     
  16. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Yeah...That is awesome. :)
     
  17. Dreddybear
    Joined: Mar 31, 2007
    Posts: 6,084

    Dreddybear
    Member

    I love that body. I've wanted one for a while thinking a cad in it would be cool, then I find out some actually had cads. Wicked.
     
  18. stude_trucks
    Joined: Sep 13, 2007
    Posts: 4,755

    stude_trucks
    Member

    That's the rustiest looking fiberglass I've ever seen. Cool car.
     
  19. Kaiser Darrin, pretty rare car. Her name is SPOT right?
     
  20. seanbelushi
    Joined: Jan 26, 2011
    Posts: 175

    seanbelushi
    Member

    There was a buddy of mine who had one of those here in Memphis. It sat in his garage forever, because he was "eventually gonna restore it." Don't know what happened to it, but they sure are neat cars.
     
  21. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,418

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage

    thats cool
    bummer your "friend" didnt let you know it was finally up for grabs.
    didnt he know you were after it for so long?
     
  22. 64gtoguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 277

    64gtoguy
    Member

    @Fink, Actually no he didn't, I didn't talk about it much. But thats OK,,, He is a great friend, and I am glad he got it. I'll post up a pic. with the door open later.
     
  23. 64gtoguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 277

    64gtoguy
    Member


    A shot with the door open, and the caps on
     

    Attached Files:

  24. 64gtoguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 277

    64gtoguy
    Member


    Sorry Bout your Nephew !! :D
     
  25. hotrodjeep
    Joined: Feb 3, 2009
    Posts: 867

    hotrodjeep
    Member
    from Tama, Iowa

    Great Kaiser, Just for shits here are some pics of what the engine is:

    161 Willys F-Head, IOE. Came in Willys cars and Jeep/Willys Trucks and
    Wagons, mostly 2wd here in the states. Was used more widly thru the
    Jeep/Willys line in other contries like Argentina. Great little engine, short
    stroke, high rever for the time 5500 is cooking, IMO

    Jeff
     

    Attached Files:

  26. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,627

    The37Kid
    Member

  27. 64gtoguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 277

    64gtoguy
    Member

    After a little over a year of hard work, chasing and making parts, the Darrin is done.
    here's a few pics. Check it out.
     

    Attached Files:

  28. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,627

    The37Kid
    Member

    NICE! Thanks for the update! Bob
     
  29. pwschuh
    Joined: Oct 27, 2008
    Posts: 2,827

    pwschuh
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Wow! Not gonna lie: that's quite a transformation. Congratulations to your buddy.
     
  30. Sphynx
    Joined: Jan 31, 2009
    Posts: 1,141

    Sphynx
    Member
    from Central Fl

    Looks like Edsil and Studebaker had a baby. Man that looks awsome. It sure came a long way.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.