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Kaiser-Frazer
The Kaiser Car Company was an economy manufacturer in Toledo, Ohio that produced inexpensive yet dependable cars for years. This manufacturer was in the market for a relatively short period of time, between 1947 and 1955. Their initial success was because Kaiser offered modern cars for the post-war market while the rest of the industry had outdated designs.
However, in the early â50s, they decided to produce a performance roadster. So, Kaiser contacted Howard “Dutch” Darrin, the designer who produced a stylish roadster body of fiberglass with one unusual feature: doors that slid to the fenders to open. The car debuted in 1954.
But its high price tag and modest power from its 90 HP engine were not what car buyers wanted. It was only when they installed an optional Cadillac engine that the Darrin get the performance it deserved. But, by then it was too late to revive the image of the model. So, they only made 435 of them, all of which are highly sought-after classics today.