Kaiser Darrin
One of the most interesting but short-lived sports car attempts of the 1950s was the beautiful Kaiser Darrin. It was an advanced roadster they produced for only one model year, in 1954. The idea behind the Darrin was to introduce a lightweight sports roadster. The goal was to battle those powerful European models with homegrown elegance.
The Kaiser Car Company was an economy manufacturer in Toledo, Ohio. And they produced dependable yet affordable cars for years. In the early ’50s they decided to build a performance roadster, so they contacted designer Howard “Dutch” Darrin. He designed a stylish roadster body of fiberglass. And it came 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 90 HP engine failed to attract car customers. It was only when they added the optional Cadillac engine that it got the performance it deserved. However, it was too late to revive the image of the model. So, they only made 435 cars, all of which are desirable classics today.