“Dutch” Darrin built Cadillac-Powered 1954 Kaiser-Darrin 161

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve. 

“You’ve seen other new cars for ’54, but nothing as exciting as this.” Famed designer Howard “Dutch” Darrin created a striking fiberglass body sports car, with its small crescent grille and unique sliding doors, and Kaiser Motor Company agreed to build it when Henry Kaiser ‘s wife, Alyce, reportedly exclaimed, “Oh Henry, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” The folding top could be set in three positions, including a unique “Landau” setting. Below was a modified chassis from Kaiser’s Henry J compact car and a 161 cu-in L-head “Supersonic Six” engine, good for zero to 60 in 16.3 seconds. Only 435 Kaiser-Darrin KF-161s were built, with some sitting on lots for months as Kaiser Motor Company teetered on bankruptcy. 

There is a legend that “Dutch” Darrin bought 50 to 100 of the cars, installed Cadillac OHV V8s, and sold them for $4,350 to the Hollywood set at his Los Angeles showroom. In fact, some contend he only built one Cadillac-powered Darrin — this one.  Offered from The Karlock’s Collection, with a 331 cu-in Cadillac under that shapely body, this is the only Kaiser-Darrin 161 that was truly exciting! 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection 

• Verified by “Dutch” Darrin as the only Kaiser-Darrin Cadillac conversion  

• Number 368 of 435 Kaiser-Darrins produced 

• 331 cu-in Cadillac OHV V8 producing 230 horsepower 

• LaSalle three-speed manual transmission 

• Finished in Champagne Lacquer over Scarlet top and interior 

Features  

• “Aeron armor-clad" fiberglass body designed by Howard “Dutch” Darrin 

• Body produced by fiberglass pioneer Glaspar in Santa Ana, California 

• Unique sliding doors, first on a production automobile 

• Three-position “Deauville” top; up, down, and Landau positions 

• Lowest center of gravity of any 1953 American production automobile 

• BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires 

• Large tachometer and speedometer 

• Fuel gauge/Oil pressure gauge 

• Water temperature gauge/Ammeter 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

• Minor spotting on hood and fenders 

• Minor scratch on driver’s rear quarter panel 

• Chips on door latches 

• Headlight bezels are loose 

• No soft top cover clips 

• Driver seat is not mounted to the floor 

• Hood prop not installed 

• In need of mechanical sorting 

Included 

• Detailed restoration receipts and photographs 

• Spare tire and cover 

Ownership History 

Steven Karlock, a Kaiser-Fraser enthusiast, purchased this historic Kaiser-Darrin in the 1980s, restoring it to original condition. Concerning the legend of the 50 to 100 Kaiser-Darrins converted to Cadillac power, Lew E. Retzer, President of the Kaiser Fraser Owners Club International, wrote in June 2020, “This has been passed around for years in many publications including ‘The Last Onslaught on Detroit’ authored by Richard Langworth. However, the most convoluted legend is that Darrin installed Cadillac V8 engines in them as we have never located any of them except for one that a certain lady bought who wanted to race it. Darrin did modify that car to accept a 1954 Cadillac Eldorado V8 engine.  When it was being restored in California, Darrin himself visited the shop and confirmed its authenticity and advised that it was the only one he put a Cadillac engine in as another from his shop has never been seen or reported.” 

Additional Notes 

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment. 

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot. 

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.   

Contact: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com