I agree Jack, a V8 might have extended Kaiser's life, but a hardtop would have also helped, only sedans were available. In any case Kaiser moved to Argentina and continued to build this car (it was renamed the Carabela) until 1962!...Bill H.
@gojoe283 Hey, Joe! I think you are correct...Kaiser lacked a diversity of body styles...a hardtop was pretty much becoming a necessity...and a convertible would have helped too.
Darrin's styling was great, but there was no money to really significantly freshen it ever couple years as was the custom of the time. I once saw a Carabela at a K-F show in Lakeland, FL! Thanks! :) Jack
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! The car now looks and performs much better than it would if it was presented as originally equipped! I'm all for change that makes cars better..and in effect, saves some from neglect or perhaps the scrap yard! Thanks! :) Jack
(1) There's an electronics store, here in the LA area, called Fry's. The front of the store looks like a UFO has crashed into it. And, in the back is a diner, where you sit inside a car to eat. One of them is a Kaiser. It is the only place I have seen one "in person". (2) because of this, my wife is not so sure we would want to get an originally equipped Kaiser, as would most likely be quite difficult to find parts. and (3) it sounded like that man asked you if you wanted to sh#t in his car!!!
@Taranau Now that's the kind of store and diner I like! Adds some color to the place! There's a bar/restaurant in Sharon, PA with an old car up on the hydraulic rack...another planted horizontally on the wall! That's what I call "atmosphere"! :D LOL I assure you it was "sit"! :D Thanks! :D Jack
@TheFred1952 Hey, Fred! I agree. it is very well styled! I do believe the attempt was to mimic the Cadillac tailights...it sure was a symbol of an upper class car! Even the Henry J had a Cadillac look alike tailight on some of its models. Thanks! :) Jack
That beauty would look so good in my garage!!! I noticed the hood ornament and as I understand it's unique to the 1955 as the only difference between the 1954/1955 model years.
@46619TAB Cool! I wasn't aware of that difference. I checked and official assembly ended in November 1954, but some were branded as 1955. It was literally chaos at the factory as Kaiser slid into oblivion. Thanks! :) Jack
@ncautoman57 I agree..in many respects it was ahead of its time..in styling and safety features. Its vulnerable point was the powerplant. Thanks! :) Jack
Pretty Cool, you don't see these often at all even in 4-door form, out of some 3,000+ cars at our annual big car show, you might see 1 maybe 2 Kaisers if that, I like the front end and its unique details, and the way the front windshield and rear window is shaped at the top, very Cool, this is sort of a "what if" car in some way with that Olds V8, as always Thanks for sharing Jack,
@BRENTHENRY1989 Hey, Brent! These are indeed scarce. That's the "Darrin Dip" you're referring to..and mirrored to in the side trim at the top of the rear quarter panel. I think when you look over automotive history, the prize goes to those who are flexible and adapt to changing economic times and fashion. Rigidity in management with lack of response to what the dealers at the front lines are saying probably has brought down many a car company! Thanks! :) Jack
@SuperJohnnychingas Hey, SuperJohnny! Yeah, the last I got was about Cantinflas, and I responded to that...but I checked my replies, and the reply wasn't there! I'll reply again!
Nice looking car. I love the colour. It would've been neat to see the original interior, with original seats, etc. But oh well. I don't know that much about what powertrain these cars came with, but it's a good thing this one had the V8 engine installed.
@Seattlecarnut Hey, Jason! As ever, the original is preferable to me to actually show how these cars appeared back in the day..how they drove, steered, stopped, accelerated! But in a way, this owner has done this car a favor, and bypassed the engine weakness it had with the six..even supercharged, they were no speedster! Thanks! :) Jack
I agree Jack, a V8 might have extended Kaiser's life, but a hardtop would have also helped, only sedans were available. In any case Kaiser moved to Argentina and continued to build this car (it was renamed the Carabela) until 1962!...Bill H.
gojoe283 1 month ago
@gojoe283 Hey, Joe! I think you are correct...Kaiser lacked a diversity of body styles...a hardtop was pretty much becoming a necessity...and a convertible would have helped too.
Darrin's styling was great, but there was no money to really significantly freshen it ever couple years as was the custom of the time. I once saw a Carabela at a K-F show in Lakeland, FL! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
This gorgeous Darren sedan never looked better. The gray Lincoln seats look great in this beauty.
cheddyrod 1 month ago
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! The car now looks and performs much better than it would if it was presented as originally equipped! I'm all for change that makes cars better..and in effect, saves some from neglect or perhaps the scrap yard! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
Looks good! :) Like the color too! Liked!
JesseAndMike 1 month ago
@JesseAndMike Hey, guys! This is one rare car here..glad you like! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
(1) There's an electronics store, here in the LA area, called Fry's. The front of the store looks like a UFO has crashed into it. And, in the back is a diner, where you sit inside a car to eat. One of them is a Kaiser. It is the only place I have seen one "in person". (2) because of this, my wife is not so sure we would want to get an originally equipped Kaiser, as would most likely be quite difficult to find parts. and (3) it sounded like that man asked you if you wanted to sh#t in his car!!!
Taranau 1 month ago
@Taranau Now that's the kind of store and diner I like! Adds some color to the place! There's a bar/restaurant in Sharon, PA with an old car up on the hydraulic rack...another planted horizontally on the wall! That's what I call "atmosphere"! :D LOL I assure you it was "sit"! :D Thanks! :D Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
the tail lights almost look like caddy lights
TheFred1952 1 month ago
@TheFred1952 Hey, Fred! I agree. it is very well styled! I do believe the attempt was to mimic the Cadillac tailights...it sure was a symbol of an upper class car! Even the Henry J had a Cadillac look alike tailight on some of its models. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
@raconter1 the headlight embelishments look lie they were from a Buick also
TheFred1952 1 month ago
very very nice
TheFred1952 1 month ago
That beauty would look so good in my garage!!! I noticed the hood ornament and as I understand it's unique to the 1955 as the only difference between the 1954/1955 model years.
46619TAB 1 month ago
@46619TAB Cool! I wasn't aware of that difference. I checked and official assembly ended in November 1954, but some were branded as 1955. It was literally chaos at the factory as Kaiser slid into oblivion. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
Love the color.
HoschtonBoy 1 month ago
@HoschtonBoy Hey, Charlie! I agree..I love this deep maroon color! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
A car that was way ahead of it's time. I love the old Kaisers..Thanks for sharing.
ncautoman57 1 month ago
@ncautoman57 I agree..in many respects it was ahead of its time..in styling and safety features. Its vulnerable point was the powerplant. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
Pretty Cool, you don't see these often at all even in 4-door form, out of some 3,000+ cars at our annual big car show, you might see 1 maybe 2 Kaisers if that, I like the front end and its unique details, and the way the front windshield and rear window is shaped at the top, very Cool, this is sort of a "what if" car in some way with that Olds V8, as always Thanks for sharing Jack,
BRENTHENRY1989 1 month ago
@BRENTHENRY1989 Hey, Brent! These are indeed scarce. That's the "Darrin Dip" you're referring to..and mirrored to in the side trim at the top of the rear quarter panel. I think when you look over automotive history, the prize goes to those who are flexible and adapt to changing economic times and fashion. Rigidity in management with lack of response to what the dealers at the front lines are saying probably has brought down many a car company! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
SO NICE.RACONTER1..DID YOU RECIVE MY MESSAGES?..
SuperJohnnychingas 1 month ago
@SuperJohnnychingas Hey, SuperJohnny! Yeah, the last I got was about Cantinflas, and I responded to that...but I checked my replies, and the reply wasn't there! I'll reply again!
Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
@raconter1 ok, no problem i saw you answer..thanks..
SuperJohnnychingas 1 month ago
Nice looking car. I love the colour. It would've been neat to see the original interior, with original seats, etc. But oh well. I don't know that much about what powertrain these cars came with, but it's a good thing this one had the V8 engine installed.
Seattlecarnut 1 month ago
@Seattlecarnut Hey, Jason! As ever, the original is preferable to me to actually show how these cars appeared back in the day..how they drove, steered, stopped, accelerated! But in a way, this owner has done this car a favor, and bypassed the engine weakness it had with the six..even supercharged, they were no speedster! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 month ago
@raconter1 I can't argue with you there. Why the car wasn't offered with a V8 engine, or a bigger six engine is beyond me.
Seattlecarnut 1 month ago