Back to back: Darrin or Jag?

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With European cars coming in hundreds of thousands over to the US after the War, the Americans were eagerly looking for something of their own design. A sports car to compete all these British and Italian roadsters and sports cars imported, which by now flew by. There is no doubt that the Kaiser-Darrin 161 by Kaiser Motors was one of these. While Kaiser’s Henry J model supplied the base, the body was made in fibreglass and the remarkable styling came from the hand of industrial designer Howard ‘Dutch’ Darrin. The pocket doors, disappearing into the front wings on sliding tracks were a cool feature.

But perhaps it was a bit too eccentric? Just 435 were made, with this fully restored example in a lovely (original) Pine Tint colour. It will be sold by Bonhams during their Simeone sale this weekend. The seller states: “With its fiberglass coachwork and numerous difficult to find parts, Kaiser Darrins are sadly neglected due to the cost and challenges involved in restoring them. It is a rare find to come upon an example as nicely presented as this one. While the earliest history of the vehicle is shrouded in mystery, it is known that the car bought by a Mr. Will Markey in the early 2000's.”

Now, what to compare it with? How about an XK120 Jaguar of 1953? Bonhams happens to have one in the same auction and it’s a lovely example with – wait for it – ‘less than 5,900 original miles at the time of cataloguing’! we’re not going to tell you about the birth of the XK120 since we’re positive you’ll know all about that. This particular roadster was delivered to Charles H. Hornburg of Los Angeles, California, sold at least one more time only to re-appear in the 1990s when it was acquired by a Jaguar dealer. By this point, the car had an indicted 5,750 miles, and a production trace certificate was issued. By now it supposedly starts on the button with the original wheels with their original tires taken off to be preserved.

It’s certainly not as rare as the Darrin. But it has its advantages, too. Lines loved by everyone in the first place. And more power, too (the Jag’s 3.4-litre inline-six gives some 160bhp while the Kaiser’s 2,638 inline-six stops at 90 bhp). It is estimated to sell at $ 90- to 115,000 with no reserve, while the Kaiser-Darrin should meet the $ 140- to 180,000-line. So… What’s the one to go for..?

(Words editor, pictures Bonhams auctioneers)

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