Kaiser Darrin
The Kaiser Darrin is an exceptionally rare American sports car, notable as one of the first to feature a fiberglass body. It's prized by collectors for its unique sliding pocket doors and a single production run of just 435 cars in 1954.
Kaiser Darrin sold for a median of $48,171 over the last 12 months, based on 6 auction sales; the middle 50% sold between $43,725 and $58,286. 9 currently for sale.
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52 listed in the past year. The last was 6 days ago.
Kaiser Darrin prices by year
| Year | Median (3 yrs) | Middle 50% | Sales (3 yrs) | For sale now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | $79k | $69k–$88k | 20 | 9 |
Auction sales in the last 3 years; prices leave out salvage and other branded titles.
Listings
The Kaiser Darrin was a bold attempt by an independent American automaker to capture the burgeoning post-war sports car market. Based on the Henry J platform, its fiberglass body was designed by Howard "Dutch" Darrin and featured unique sliding "pocket" doors. Only 435 were produced in 1954 before Kaiser-Frazer's automotive operations ceased, making it exceptionally rare.
Collectors prize the Darrin for its unique styling and extreme rarity. As one of America's first fiberglass sports cars, it holds a special place in automotive history. Its distinctive grille, which Darrin famously said looked like it wanted to 'kiss you,' and the novel door mechanism make it a guaranteed standout at any show.
Buying Tips
- The sliding doors are the car's signature feature; ensure they operate smoothly and don't bind. The complex cable and pulley mechanism can be difficult to repair.
- Inspect the fiberglass body carefully for stress cracks, particularly around the door openings and wheel arches. Poorly executed past repairs can hide significant issues.
- Verify the originality of the 90 hp Willys F-head inline-6 engine and its components. While parts are available, a numbers-matching car carries a premium.
- Check for the correct 3-position Landau top and its mechanism, as these are very difficult to source. The same applies to unique trim pieces and interior hardware.
168 Kaiser Darrin vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 9 currently live.
Data sourced from auction results and dealer and private listings, including Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, Mecum, RM Sotheby’s and eBay Motors. Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Kaiser Darrin cost?
Over the last 12 months, Kaiser Darrin sold for a median of $48,171 across 6 auction sales tracked on Hypercars; the middle 50% sold between $43,725 and $58,286. There are 9 currently for sale.
How many Kaiser Darrin listings are for sale right now?
There are 9 Kaiser Darrin listings currently live across auctions, dealers, and marketplaces tracked by Hypercars.