jimkf

"Will probably need a thermostat" = head gasket is on its way out...

Any time I see tools laying on the floor and wires hanging under the dash, I get nervous. Gotta wonder what's going on...

The 54 Early Series Special came about due to over production. All early series Specials were converted by replacing the 53 front sheet metal, front bumper, and tail light assemblies with 54 components. All conversions were done to cars still at the factory, none were pulled back in from dealers as they were expected to sell whatever they had on-hand at whatever they could get for them. All converted cars were repainted because the new tail light assemblies didn't quite cover the same area as the old and it showed. So, as in this example, the paint on the body has held up well - since it's two coats - while the front end's paint is thin. This example has an unusual dash - the pad is from the DeLuxe model while the chrome lower section is from the Dragon. Evidence of KF trying to use up leftovers. A late series Special was marketed as well and it was fitted with the 1954 body but without the McCulloch supercharger. It also had a less fancy interior and thin lower door moldings in lieu of the wider stuff the Manhattan got. I currently own five Kaisers and I can tell you that taking one to a car show means you'll spend lots of time answering questions. Who built it...where was it built...is it German (Kaiser)...are just a few that come to mind. And, because it is so different, I'd rather drive one of these than just about any other sedan marketed in 1954. No bag needed.

I currently own a 54 Kaiser Manhattan and aside from the hood ornament it's the same car. While its looks can be debated, there's no denying that you won't soon see another at your typical show full of 57 Chevys and Mustangs. Parts are not difficult to find - including the supercharger - and there's plenty of support for those new to Kaiser-Frazer. I will admit the asking price is a bit stiff but if the body is as solid as it looks, I'd be tempted to get it running and drive it as is, but at a dollar figure somewhere just north of half the asking price. Oh, and to correct some mistakes in the Barn Finds article, this car is a two door sedan. The last Club Coupe manufactured by K-F was offered in the 1952 model year. All 1955 Kaisers were reserialed 1954s with the upper half of the hood ornament swapped for one with a larger center sail. K-F had essentially given up on the passenger car market in the US by 1955, deciding instead to concentrate on the profitable Jeep market having purchased Willys Overland in 1953. The Willys Aero, by 1955 renamed the Bermuda and Custom, were phased out as well. K-F did assemble 1021 additional cars using whatever parts were still in the bins, but they were for export to Argentina in a bid to entice Juan Peron into getting into the automobile manufacturing business. Juan took the bait and Kaiser, in a joint venture, built a derivative of the 1955 Kaiser in Argentina, calling it the Carabela. They were manufactured from 1958 thru 1962 with somewhere around 10,000 built. Only 44 two door, along with 226 four door models, were sold in the US as 1955 Kaisers.

Might have the fuel door spring, I'll check. Can't help with the gasket but you can check with Rudy Phillips at rudyskfparts @ sbcglobal.net. He had some reproduced.

Where else could you buy a used car for that kind of money? Buy it and be the standout in a crowd of Hondas and Toyotas...

I've owned a few of these, including this car's twin and if the miles are to be believed, I think this one is fairly priced.

Two batteries? The add-on turn signals ruin the front end's aesthetics in my opinion. I've owned a couple of these, both 6 cylinder cars, and even with the two extra cylinders, you move along at a leisurely pace at best.

Incorrectly recovered seats and no power steering make this one less desirable than most. The correct cloth inserts are available and the Bambu vinyl that's supposed to be there is the same as was used in the Manhattan - and since it wears like iron, plenty can be had. Somewhere north of half the asking price would make it a worthy candidate to bring back to its former glory. Still, not often seen as only 1277 were produced for the 1953 model year.

I'm looking for one or more 15" wire wheel cover like the one pictured. Condition unimportant. Originally produced for the aftermarket by Calnevar. Thanks!

Aside from the engine unknowns, the biggest issue is location. The car is a desirable two door, the body looks pretty solid and the engine does run so some of the internals are reusable, but being three days from nowhere makes it a gamble few, including myself, are willing to take.

Hello - I don't have many Darrin unique bits to sell but I do have some stuff that is more generic Kaiser that were used on the Darrin as well. If you click on my user name you'll be taken to a page that has a Message button. That will allow you to send a message without posting here. Feel free to send a list of wants and I'll let you know what I have available.

Not an entirely correct car but since it presents well, who'd know at your local show?

Craigslist listing has been deleted. Watch for it next week at twice the price...

Having owned a few Ramblers, Nashes and Hashes, I'd say $4500 was bit low and ten grand is a bit high. Six, maybe seven grand feels better. The trailer hitch pin is an interesting fix for the lower tail gate hinge...

I had a 55 Ambassador, not quite as over designed but close. A very comfortable car that was capable of today's highways speeds, even with the six in it. This car would benefit from a good bath and better pictures in some sunlight. I'd say two grand, tops.

Like the 72 Comet I had many moons ago, this one appears to be rotting from the inside out. Still, I think it would make someone a nice driver with some work. The playboy sticker on the dash speaks volumes.

The bolts referred to are those that are part of the landau irons. They're unique to the Darrin and are machined, then plated, steel.

My father had a 60 Dodge Pioneer wagon. He'd park it at night and the next morning there would be a fresh rust bubble. It literally rotted before our very eyes. Apparently, they all did the same thing.

I own a Darrin and while it won't win many drag races, it's perfectly capable of keeping up with most highway traffic. But, with a car like this, it's not meant to be driven at that speed...rather, it's more of a boulevard cruiser meant to make a statement when you pull up to your destination. There's a weekly cruise in near me that holds a Corvette night. I attend with my Darrin, waiting until the place is about half full to arrive and when I do, I am absolutely making a statement.

The original wasn't chrome plated. They were painted black.

Sold for $21,000. Good money.

The unit pictured with the bag is the correct one for a Darrin. That said, a very close match is available for concurrent Ford and Chevy cars for fifteen bucks. So, I'll go twenty five for this one.

The long yellow piece is a door latch cover. The smaller yellow item doesn't fit a Darrin. The rod with the square end appears to be part of the throttle mechanism. The other rods are too short to be for the Darrin shifting mechanism.

Clean it up and take it to your local cruise and park in the sea of Corvettes, Mustangs and Camaros and watch as folks walk by the flashy stuff to check out your car. Sure wish it were closer.