During its Arizona Sale, this rare 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster will heading to auction through RM Sotheby's for about $US 150,000. I didn't know the story behind Kaiser Darrin, with the auction I learned about this 2-door roadster.

History of the Kaiser-Darrin Roadster

In order to compete with European sport car after WWII, Howard Dutch Darrin, American designer (started his career in Paris at the coachbuilder Hibbard & Darrin), designed in 1951 Kaiser Darrin. But Henry Kaiser, American industrialist in shipbuilding, that wanted an affordable car to the average working man, wasn't fond of the sport car model but his wife was... So, the production began in January 1954, 435 examples were built.

But its price was expensive, $US 3,668, more than the Cadillac Series 62 or the Lincoln Capri. At the end of the year 1954, 100 examples remained unsold. One of the problems was the design of the sliding doors that were sometimes stuck. The most serious were the leak of the folding top and side curtains.

Specification

With its fiberglass coachwork, the Kaiser Darrin has an engine 2.6 Liter F-head six cylinder producing 90 hp. This model was completely restored in 1999 with this Pine Tint green.

Only 300 cars are still on the road, it'll be rare to meet another one.

Lot Auction

Date :	17-18 January 2019
Place :	Arizona
Price :	$US 140,000 - $US 180,000
Link :	RM Sotheby's Arizona Sale

Another great lots during this sale :

• 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO for $US 3,200,000 - $US3,600,000
• Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4,2 Liter Roadster for $US 225,000 - $US 275,000
• Porsche 356 SC GT Outlaw for $US 200,000 - $US 275,000
• Tucker 48 for $US 1,500,000
• Vector Avtech WX-3R Roadster for $US 450,000.

Sources

RM Sotheby's Arizona Sale
Lot : Kaiser-Darrin Roadster

On Wiki :
Kaiser Darrin
Henry Kaiser
Hibbard & Darrin

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Bonus Pic