Kaiser-Darrin Dkf-161

The Kaiser-Darrin is designed by designer Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, who works for the American car manufacturer Kaiser-Frazer.

'It is as if the car constantly wants to give you a little kiss,' someone is said to have once remarked about the front of the Kaiser-Darrin. The design is therefore very unusual. Just like the doors that can slide away into the front fenders. Unfortunately they do not move far enough forward, which makes getting in and out not exactly easy. The upholstered dashboard is a safety feature that was still uncommon in the 1950s. The Kaiser-Darrin is also (after the Nash) the second American car to be equipped with seat belts. The Kaiser-Darrin was designed by Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, a designer working for the American car manufacturer Kaiser-Frazer. He was very enthusiastic about the design and production possibilities offered by the then new fiberglass and decided to use this material to build a sports car on the chassis of a Kaiser-Frazer 'Henry J'. He did this in secret and built the car at his own expense. He then confronted his boss, Henry J. Kaiser, with the design. The latter was not immediately enthusiastic, but his wife was. That proved decisive. The car was produced for only one year, however, because the factory, by then called Kaiser-Willys, stopped making passenger cars. Only 435 Kaiser-Darrins were built.