Small point - Frazer is pronounced like the boxer, with the long A sound. I've always thought the styling of the Kaiser Darrin was stunning, just a personal taste thing. Agree on the Town Car motif, I'd call it that too. WYR: Kaiser Darrin (the only sports car my dad lusted after), Jaquar XK 120 all day long. Excellent coverage as always - thank you sir! ~ Chuck
@@What.its.like. Sir, I understand. It's just that I grew up in or near the towns where these were made. Knew many people who worked there and owned them. Only trying to help. Thanks for all you do. ~ Chuck
The pronunciation for 'Frazier' that you're looking for is "Fray-Zhyer"... Also speaking of the Woodhill Wildfire... I used to have a pal in Indiana who owned one. Anyhow... The Kaiser Darrin certainly was a beautiful little thing... I'm pretty sure that those sliding doors and the lack of a hotter OHV engine were what really did it in. Of all of the Sports Cars of the era though, I personally think that the Vette was the prettiest. Have you ever seen the Motorama prototype Corvettes? They built several and in all different configurations... The little Nomad-like station wagon was really cool... And the two door, fastback coupe called Corvair was KILLAH!
George Reeves ( Superman) owned one, talk about a tight fit! He didn't bother using the doors getting in or out, just stepped over and dropped in, put his hands on the rear fender and center rear then lifted himself out. Must have been something to watch.
Thank you for the great comments about the Gilmore Museum . I have seen the Darrin you featured, in person. I also believed the remaining cars were all in museums or private collections until one was driven to a car show in the little town of Quincy, Michigan, about 7 years ago. The Darrin was a very unique car.
WYR: 1. Nash Healey, 2. Jag! Love the Darrin as a novelty and historical piece, but not to own! The pedal car is very cool! Have you ever covered a Muntz Jet?
Another thorough video. Thanks. The pictured Nash Healey was made of steel in Italy... The earlier model used an aluminum body produced in England. The sliding doors on the Darrin are a fun idea. Of course, those with large shoes found it difficult to enter as they doors provided little room when pushed forward. Note, too, that they would only slide into the fenders as designed i.e. without side windows!
Thank you so much for that information I thought all Healeys were made of aluminum. I did not know that I know they had issues with the first year. They redesigned it and then kept the second styling design for the duration of the car.
Thank you so much for that information I thought all Healeys were made of aluminum. I did not know that I know they had issues with the first year. They redesigned it and then kept the second styling design for the duration of the car.
Hi Jay! Always admired Dutch Darrin's design for the Kaiser-Darrin. The sliding doors are a hoot, but as you mention, leave very little room for entering the car! If I remember rightly, the only one I have ever seen was at the Henry Ford. That was YEARS ago, though! I really like the 50's Sports Car showdown! I think I would pick the Nash-Healey. Yes it is the most expensive, it doesn't have the most horsepower, but the fact you could get a manual transmission would make me pick it. (I am quite the fan of the Corvettes, though!) For the second it would HAVE to be the XK120! What a car!!! For sure the fastest of all of them!!
Despite the low production numbers, these orphans are still surprisingly affordable. Might be because most people don't know what they are or who HJK was. I've seen them at shows, and would like to drive one, even though they are dreadfully slow. Thanks for all the great videos, I always look forward to them.
First pick the 54 Darrin and Nash Healy for the rarity, second the 54 Jaguar Xk120. first time I seen a picture of the Darrin I liked the seashell grill and matching park lights and the sliding doors even with the small opening and the top setup where it can be opened canopy style.
There was one of these on display at the NEC Classic Car Show here in the UK this year. The styling is challenging for me but interesting nevertheless, especially the side doors.
The local Kaiser/Frazer dealer was a gas station. I think K/F suffered from the same lack of dedicated dealers as all the other small guys. The dealers just couldn't sell enough cars to make a decent living without having other products to sell as well as cars. Also, the new OHV V8's that were being introduced made everyone have to offer a V8 or they would be left behind.
Kaiser was actually developing an OHV V8 when they went under. Two of the engineers who were working on it got jobs with American Motors, and it ended up being the Rambler V8 that was used from 1957-66.
@@tacoheadmakenzie9311 The AMC engine was of similar size as the experimental Kaiser engine and the engineer who had worked on the Kaiser (Potter) was employed by AMC after leaving Kaiser. The engines were, however, quite different.
Beautiful green! I noticed a Packard Hawk in the background at the museum. The only Kaiser Darrin I can recall seeing was a white one at a show in New England. Speaking of those final '58 Packards, which of course were facelifted Studes, the only one of THOSE I ever spotted in the wild was a red sedan. They were few and far between even when new, let alone now.
That Packard will definitely be on the channel eventually maybe next week next episode is a 1917 Metz I’m still writing the script for that I’m hoping tomorrow, but I’m not 100% sure.. I have a lot of good content in the pipeline so it’s hard to figure out what I want to come next, but try to spread it out at the same time
I'm in the UK, and there's one local to me. It's been at many local car meets and last year won heat three of Classic American magazine car of the year.
Nash Healy ❤️ fantastic car 👏👏👏 Jaguar 120 👏👏👏 incredible Engine is an F Head 🤔 Carb on one side exhaust on the other side ... Air Flows through the head 👍 Darren was an exercise in styling very impractical 🤷but beautiful 😍❤️.. Great Episode Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
American industrialist Mr. Frazer and Mr. Kaiser are one in the same to most people. l know each man had his own career and history, but these men are so unknown as compared to Mr. Alfred Sloan, Mr. Walter Chrysler or Mr. Henry Ford, which names were oft repeated in automotive lore. However, it is good to refresh our memories of these men. Curious that Frazer and Kaiser sold exactly the same car, but with different names and slight variations on outward and interior trim. l wonder if the prices were identical.
A close and long friend of my father’s (Ramchargers rail pilot) Datsu (Morry) Chung helped design the rear end of this quirky masterpiece. Morry owned several that he kept until his passing almost 30 years ago. He showed me several of his early renditions he had drawn of the trunk and taillights that are used in the final product. If you look closely at the early prototype, the headlights are positioned a little lower with a nice arc above. A better look IMO
A quick Internet search shows the Glasspar G2 as the first production fiberglass bodied car, starting in 1949. Your mystery song sounds like the Doors, Light my fire.
WYR1: I'll take the Darrin for its style and unique sliding door design. WYR2: All three are attractive, but the MGA would be my choice. When I was very young there was a young couple (about my parents' age) who lived two doors up the street on the corner. The gentleman bought a red MGA for his wife, but it wasn't long until she was in a family way and I just don't remember what they got to replace it. I remember riding in it one time, four miles each way with Mrs. Stephens and my Mom to the Presbyterian church for children's choir rehearsal because Mom's Studebaker was out of commission.
The Nash convertible is a genuine sports car, recognisable in the European tradition. A lot of the fly boys were bringing their M.G's et al. back from England, and by comparison the Nash's engine was a powerhouse. It really deserved a better shot at the title, I feel.
The biggest problem for the Nash Healey was it's price. Remember, you could buy a 53 Cadillac Series 62 for around $3,500.00. In the narrative you gave the convertible price as $4,000.00 +
@@chipieal I wouldn't argue that point, I feel that it was, however, the best sports car of the selection. The price differential would now be about 400:1 I am guessing?
Probably the rarest car that is at the same time easy to see. Feels like every one of them was saved (obviously an exaggeration but the survival rate is very high). Easy to find at museums, and they still come out to local shows. There's one of these yelow-green ones that appears near me. Sexy, especially the kiss me grille, but a slug. Kaiser went on to produce cars for many more years in Argentina. The middle roof position btw would I think be accurately described as a Coupe de Ville. Pontiac showed the Parisianne in 53 with a similar treatment, although it was a fixed roof. WYR: 1) the Nash-Healey to actually drive, 2) The Jaaag, what else?
I never thought much of these until I saw one in person. Then I thought it was very cool, particularly the interior. I'd choose the Darrin in both scenarios. I think Howard Johnson was the one who put 28 flavors of engines in these, but I could be wrong.
I have always liked the Darrin for its rarity and features which set it apart from anything else on the road, such as the sliding doors. I would choose it over any of the cars shown here. As for the MGA, I thought it came out in 1955 to replace the MG which had running boards and sculpted fenders.
wyr corvette wyr jag The power plant on the jag was next level. It is too bad they didn't have a better power plant for the Kaiser , but still had a good appearance and style. Cadillac V 8 must have been a blast. I wonder what happened to all the performance Kaisers Darrin made up ? Thx Jay
There is tons of conflicting information out there. I don’t know how many of the V8 car survived. I don’t know how many were made one source six V8 cars were made. Another source said 100 V8 cars were made.
For WYR, I’ll take the Corvette, and the Jaguar. I guess it’s safe to say, given your size, you probably couldn’t sit in this car. It is interesting to look at, and unique. But you probably need to be 5’6” or less to actually drive this car comfortably. Oh well. Thank you for a look at such a rare car.
I could’ve gotten in any car that I wanted to at the museum but I didn’t. I didn’t get in any single one except for the De Soto airflow… I didn’t get in this one, because something was wrong with the door on the driver side. I couldn’t open it, and I remembered what Paul told me. I didn’t want nothing to happen to it so.
"I'm still farting against the wind" You're killing me! I pick the Kaiser Darrin and the XK-120. I think the Lane Auto Museum has a Kaiser Darrin, if memory serves.
Cool video jay the wyr is no contest this time the corvette and the jaguar for sure. What happened to the period advertisement and events I always like that part for the context of the day back when
Maybe you are the doyen who can tell me what Laura's (Jean Tierney) car was in the 1944 movie. It just appears for seconds when she arrives at her country place. Some prints seem to have cut the scene, confusingly, for TV showings, i.e. for commercials.
William Stout's Scarab (Detroit Historical museum owns it and it's on display currently) late 1930's may be the first. Plus Henry Ford had a 1941 car made of plastic for experiment purposes but was rejected due to curing time issues and mass production needs. Richard Langworth, "last onslaught on Detroit" copywrite 1975.
That’s the car I was thinking of I will have to see if they’ll let me do a video on one. I know that there was only like eight or nine of them made first minivan. They are so cool. Ugly but cool.
The Darrin is an attractive car and the interior is stunning. I bet not having in interior door handle turned off a good number of buyers. A more conventional door probably would have helped sales and egress a good amount. Corvette and XK120
No one will believe this, but I was just thinking about the Darrins 2 or 3 days ago (triggered by watching another Kaiser video). When I was in high school (late '60's) there was a Darrin in the shop class. If I remember correctly, I think it was red.
I'd take the XK-120, there was a 120 coupe across the canal from my parents' house. Now if you had included a 300 SL Gullwing, that would be my choice, hands down.
One just came up for sale. Not too far from where I live they’re asking 64 grand for it. But they are a few and far between definitely want to cover some more Kaiser on this channel that is for sure I had the opportunity to do a Virginia while I was at the Gilmore. I ran out of time I’ve been looking for a Henry J or an Allstate those are really rare that are not molested in anyway . Before the UA-cam channel I had the opportunity to sit in a Mercedes gullwing talk about a really hard car to get in and out of because the sides of the car go up you literally go through a window to get in that car very hard to do if you’re tall it isn’t the hardest vehicle that I ever got in and out of that goes to 2007 Lotus Elise that’s a really hard to get out of once you’re in it it’s fine, but it sits really low to the ground Sweet choices, though
@@What.its.like. One of my classmates had a yellow Henry J. We used to sing "Sky of blue and sea of grey in our yellow Henry J" (a play on Yellow Submarine). Our valedictorian (a really cute petite girl) drove a restored MG-TF. Someone (I don't know who) drove a white '54 Vette to school. Every once in a while, I'd see a gray 300SL tooling around very near my neighborhood. While in college, a good friend had a yellow Saab Sonnet. I also got to sit in a 300SL that was on display at the local Mercedes dealer (for about 23 nanoseconds until they chased me out of it.)
There is so much conflicting information some sources say that, but the advertisement say 161.. because I originally had 226 because that was what one source said, but that was the only source that said it everywhere else said 161
Dear What it's Like Producer. Question have you or will you do RV's? There is one that is up your alley. It was only around for like three years and it was based on the Dodge Dakota truck with one or two rear axle.
One day, I would totally love to do some RVs and campers Pierce arrow made travel lodges. I saw one last week, but I couldn’t get into it. It was too close together. Pierce arrow made some really cool trailers as of last ditch effort to try to save the company.
The Kaiser Darrin design is beautiful but overall too basic of a car and look more as a concept and not a finished project - I "would rather" the Nash Healey. Maybe the Darrin version (Cadillac engine) will be the 1st choice but this isn't the original design
WYR1: Between the Darrin and the Nash, not fond of the Corvette (I know, I'm a Philistine). If the Nash-Healy has an open drive shaft It would be an easy choice. If it's torque tube the Darrin looks pretty good. WYR2: I would expect the Kaiser to be a lot less temperamental than the Brits, though that's an awfully small cooling air intake.
Great choices be 100% honest with you I'm not a huge Corvette fan I don't care what era I think they're overrated. The new ones are really cool I think but the ones from the 50s just have like a truck engine. It's a lot of money to spend on a car that leaks And they're super hard to push. I can speak from experience... they're also really hard to get in and out of
I'd probably go for the Nash-Healey. The big Healey's were great cars. Never heard of a Nash-Healey with an automatic transmission. Probably would be the HydraMatic, as that was what Nash was using at the time. I would have thought that the manual transmissions would have been Mowogs, which was common in British cars. In "The Adventures Of Superman", Clark Kent drove a Nash-Healey, which actually belonged to George Reeves. The Nash Ambassador 6cyl. was a very tough engine which served Nash well for many years. Although the Kaiser-Darrin was an odd looking car, the Corvette was downright ugly, in my book. I can't believe that Chevy chose the PowerGlide , making it mandatory, instead of offering a true sporting manual transmission. I have a friend who bought a 1956 Corvette, used, when he was in High School back in the '60's. Although it has a dual-quad 265 V8, it's got a PowerGlide too! lol
I totally agree. The Nash Healy is my favorite American sports car. They’re easy to get in and out of the seats are super plush and comfortable and they just look super stellar. I’m looking for a 51 I’ve covered a 53. I know a guy who has one I’m going to see if there’s anyway that we could do that this year he also has a cross country Country club I should say from the 50s
Nice Body Styling, BUT the Front Grill doesn't look like it belongs on that Car. A more traditional width/ size Grill, like the 54 Vette would have complimented it better.
It was reported that Dutch actually had Cadillac V8s installed in some of the cars he bought. Some of these saw race duty in SoCal…even by a female driver.
Is the museum Darrin sandwiched between a Chrysler Turbine and Edsel? Strange placement, but all three are historically worthy. My choices: the Darrin and the Jag. Styling drives most automobile sales.
Drat! My notifications are still not working 😖 The Kaiser-Darrin wasn't really intended to be an "everyman's" sports car but something which would appeal to the stylish 'avant garde' people of fame making a style statement for themselves. That was really a tiny market of mostly Hollywood acting types and it did make a splash there for awhile. I'm sure they hoped that would transfer to general popularity but that didn't happen. The doors were funky and not user-friendly, the engine underpowered for a sporty car, and fiberglass wasn't yet widely accepted as a good auto body material with very few car body shops able to execute crash repairs if needed. I'm no fan of the 'seashell' grille even though I like everything else about the styling. It ruins everything leaving only this car's rarity as an appeal. So my WYR's go to the iconic Nash-Healey and the more iconic Jag XK 120.
It seems to be a common problem. I don’t know why it’s not working. It’s kind of like the Facebook marketplace app isn’t showing me stuff that’s in my zone anymore. It’s showing me stuff that’s 6 1/2 hours outside of the bubble. Super frustrating. Specially, when you’re looking for something to purchase. Great choices. Glad you dig this episode.
I like it when you post your boo-boos at the end of the video. So, time for a couple of corrections: Woodill is pronounced Wood-ill. I used to say Woodwill. The 53-55 Corvette had 3 sidedraft Carter YH carbs, not downdraft. You can see the same carbs on the Nash Healey engine pic, and Chevy used a similar carb on the Turbo Corvairs. While I don't know the first fiberglass car, I do know Ford made a sedan (late 30s-early 40s) from a soybean based material. There is a photo showing Henry bashing the car with a sledgehammer to show that it was dent-proof
Awesome choices but I will say being in the jag it’s a lot tighter than you think I would compare the jag to almost the Packard Darren. They’re both very tight cars steering wheel is pretty much at your chest.
@@What.its.like. England laid the groundwork for fiberglass and kit sports cars as early as 1939. The MC-750. Why 750? The engine it used 750 cc. "Kit car"
Yeah, didn’t he build a car out of hemp I saw something where he built a car that he hit with a soft blow hammer much like how Tesla hit the cyber truck, but it didn’t do anything to the body of the car
@@danielulz1640 yea could be . i just remember him hitting it with the hammer ,they didnt say but i assume the resin was soy based but had to have a fiber to hold it together
I've seen a Kaiser-Darrin at a local car show. While an interesting piece of history, there is too much for me to dislike. No radio or space for one, no glove box, no sun visors. I can't abide that ugly grille, and it seems to me that the small grille might cause the car to overheat. The doors are unique but not practical. I do love the taillights though. My choices would be the Corvette and the Jag.
It is true that the US manufacturers did have a turn at sports cars, but why did they all have to be be so darned ugly critters? The Eurosporters were such elegant/ beautiful creatures.
There's no competition between Kaiser Darrin and others when it comes to attractiveness and look. However to own I would prefer a real car which is, of course, Chevrolet Corvette. The latter has stunning styling as well but is made of metal, has an engine providing better power. Then it's a Chevrolet, for which parts should be available. Any dings, rust could be fixed in the steel body of Corvette. I'm sorry, British design of cars were just for looks. They never felt particularly attractive to me - sorry, but no sorry, I wouldn't choose to own a British car.
@What.its.like. I have no information how many companies restore fiberglass classic car bodies. It might be a few survivors out there which if broken can never be repaired or replaced. Or I might be wrong about fiberglass. I imagine some companies might provide steel kits for certain models to replace fiberglass.
There's a reason they went bankrupt. Jeep's are crap... Yeah, I said it! Hate to say this, but none of the cars here did a thing for me. But, i'm a big car guy, not really into the pocket rockets... so it's just a "me" thang, and not to trash anyone else's opinions... I know big, American luxo-barge boulevard cruisers aren't everyone's cup of tea either 🙂
I’m not a jeep fan. I will be the first to admit that totally agree. They are making luxury jeeps now with the Wagoneer biggest pile of poo one could buy yes they are nice. They ride like Lincoln town cars but they have a lot of issues.
@@What.its.like. Did you ever see the videos about the fiberglass ranch?? Theres a guy whose bought up a ton of old fiberglass cars and is restoring them little by little to concours levels and I've seen these cars in his stash.
Break on through -doors
Bingo we have a winner.. on the album it says break on through.. so either was acceptable
Congratulations your the 1st
I knew it was the Doors, but I would have guessed Light My Fire.... and I would have been wrong.
I'd go for the Healey Light my fire Doors
Yeah, with those door handles it's easy to break on through!
Small point - Frazer is pronounced like the boxer, with the long A sound. I've always thought the styling of the Kaiser Darrin was stunning, just a personal taste thing. Agree on the Town Car motif, I'd call it that too. WYR: Kaiser Darrin (the only sports car my dad lusted after), Jaquar XK 120 all day long. Excellent coverage as always - thank you sir! ~ Chuck
I’ve gotten corrected both ways going back to fazer next time lol
@@What.its.like. Sir, I understand. It's just that I grew up in or near the towns where these were made. Knew many people who worked there and owned them. Only trying to help. Thanks for all you do. ~ Chuck
@@charlesdalton985 totally agree I didn’t take anything you said as an insult =) pronunciation is definitely something I need to work on
I saw one parked on the street in Los Angeles in 1980 when I moved a friend of mine there from Canada. it was the sliding doors that caught my eye.
Thank you so much for sharing that awesome memory
The pronunciation for 'Frazier' that you're looking for is "Fray-Zhyer"...
Also speaking of the Woodhill Wildfire... I used to have a pal in Indiana who owned one.
Anyhow... The Kaiser Darrin certainly was a beautiful little thing... I'm pretty sure that those sliding doors and the lack of a hotter OHV engine were what really did it in.
Of all of the Sports Cars of the era though, I personally think that the Vette was the prettiest.
Have you ever seen the Motorama prototype Corvettes? They built several and in all different configurations... The little Nomad-like station wagon was really cool... And the two door, fastback coupe called Corvair was KILLAH!
George Reeves ( Superman) owned one, talk about a tight fit! He didn't bother using the doors getting in or out, just stepped over and dropped in, put his hands on the rear fender and center rear then lifted himself out. Must have been something to watch.
They made a some prototypes in 53. A few have been found and I used to see one as a kid. It had the split windshield.
I always thought the Darrin was ahead of its time. Very cool car for the time.
Thank you for the great comments about the Gilmore Museum . I have seen the Darrin you featured, in person. I also believed the remaining cars were all in museums or private collections until one was driven to a car show in the little town of Quincy, Michigan, about 7 years ago. The Darrin was a very unique car.
You bet I absolutely love it up there. They’re all car people at the Gilmore Auto Museum. =)
WYR: 1. Nash Healey, 2. Jag! Love the Darrin as a novelty and historical piece, but not to own! The pedal car is very cool! Have you ever covered a Muntz Jet?
Another thorough video. Thanks.
The pictured Nash Healey was made of steel in Italy... The earlier model used an aluminum body produced in England.
The sliding doors on the Darrin are a fun idea. Of course, those with large shoes found it difficult to enter as they doors provided little room when pushed forward. Note, too, that they would only slide into the fenders as designed i.e. without side windows!
Thank you so much for that information I thought all Healeys were made of aluminum. I did not know that I know they had issues with the first year. They redesigned it and then kept the second styling design for the duration of the car.
Thank you so much for that information I thought all Healeys were made of aluminum. I did not know that I know they had issues with the first year. They redesigned it and then kept the second styling design for the duration of the car.
Hi Jay! Always admired Dutch Darrin's design for the Kaiser-Darrin. The sliding doors are a hoot, but as you mention, leave very little room for entering the car! If I remember rightly, the only one I have ever seen was at the Henry Ford. That was YEARS ago, though! I really like the 50's Sports Car showdown! I think I would pick the Nash-Healey. Yes it is the most expensive, it doesn't have the most horsepower, but the fact you could get a manual transmission would make me pick it. (I am quite the fan of the Corvettes, though!) For the second it would HAVE to be the XK120! What a car!!! For sure the fastest of all of them!!
Sweet choices =) I still have yet to go to the Henry ford I was there for green field but I spent my time there
Despite the low production numbers, these orphans are still surprisingly affordable. Might be because most people don't know what they are or who HJK was. I've seen them at shows, and would like to drive one, even though they are dreadfully slow. Thanks for all the great videos, I always look forward to them.
First pick the 54 Darrin and Nash Healy for the rarity, second the 54 Jaguar Xk120. first time I seen a picture of the Darrin I liked the seashell grill and matching park lights and the sliding doors even with the small opening and the top setup where it can be opened canopy style.
It is not a seashell grille, it is one of the "signatures" in designs by Dutch. It is his artistic image of a heart!!
There was one of these on display at the NEC Classic Car Show here in the UK this year.
The styling is challenging for me but interesting nevertheless, especially the side doors.
The local Kaiser/Frazer dealer was a gas station. I think K/F suffered from the same lack of dedicated dealers as all the other small guys. The dealers just couldn't sell enough cars to make a decent living without having other products to sell as well as cars. Also, the new OHV V8's that were being introduced made everyone have to offer a V8 or they would be left behind.
Kaiser was actually developing an OHV V8 when they went under. Two of the engineers who were working on it got jobs with American Motors, and it ended up being the Rambler V8 that was used from 1957-66.
@@tacoheadmakenzie9311 The AMC engine was of similar size as the experimental Kaiser engine and the engineer who had worked on the Kaiser (Potter) was employed by AMC after leaving Kaiser. The engines were, however, quite different.
Beautiful green! I noticed a Packard Hawk in the background at the museum. The only Kaiser Darrin I can recall seeing was a white one at a show in New England. Speaking of those final '58 Packards, which of course were facelifted Studes, the only one of THOSE I ever spotted in the wild was a red sedan. They were few and far between even when new, let alone now.
That Packard will definitely be on the channel eventually maybe next week next episode is a 1917 Metz I’m still writing the script for that I’m hoping tomorrow, but I’m not 100% sure.. I have a lot of good content in the pipeline so it’s hard to figure out what I want to come next, but try to spread it out at the same time
I'm in the UK, and there's one local to me. It's been at many local car meets and last year won heat three of Classic American magazine car of the year.
Awesome =)
Nash Healy ❤️ fantastic car 👏👏👏
Jaguar 120 👏👏👏 incredible
Engine is an F Head 🤔
Carb on one side exhaust on the other side ...
Air Flows through the head 👍
Darren was an exercise in styling very impractical 🤷but beautiful 😍❤️..
Great Episode
Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
Great choices glad you dig this episode
American industrialist Mr. Frazer and Mr. Kaiser are one in the same to most people. l know each man had his own career and history, but these men are so unknown as compared to Mr. Alfred Sloan, Mr. Walter Chrysler or Mr. Henry Ford, which names were oft repeated in automotive lore. However, it is good to refresh our memories of these men. Curious that Frazer and Kaiser sold exactly the same car, but with different names and slight variations on outward and interior trim. l wonder if the prices were identical.
A close and long friend of my father’s (Ramchargers rail pilot) Datsu (Morry) Chung helped design the rear end of this quirky masterpiece. Morry owned several that he kept until his passing almost 30 years ago. He showed me several of his early renditions he had drawn of the trunk and taillights that are used in the final product. If you look closely at the early prototype, the headlights are positioned a little lower with a nice arc above. A better look IMO
A quick Internet search shows the Glasspar G2 as the first production fiberglass bodied car, starting in 1949.
Your mystery song sounds like the Doors, Light my fire.
There was one before it they only made 8 cars mid 40s
@@What.its.like. Kurtis Craft.
The G2, and others, were "kit" cars, not production. In fact, Dutch started with a G2 and reclayed it into the Darrin.
WYR1: I'll take the Darrin for its style and unique sliding door design.
WYR2: All three are attractive, but the MGA would be my choice.
When I was very young there was a young couple (about my parents' age) who lived two doors up the street on the corner.
The gentleman bought a red MGA for his wife, but it wasn't long until she was in a family way and I just don't remember what they got to replace it.
I remember riding in it one time, four miles each way with Mrs. Stephens and my Mom to the Presbyterian church for children's choir rehearsal because Mom's Studebaker was out of commission.
Another great episode, Jay. And I'll take the Corvette and the MGA.
I never knew that Dutch bought and modified a bunch of Darrins.Have never seen any of those.Thanks for that info.
You bet =)
The Nash convertible is a genuine sports car, recognisable in the European tradition. A lot of the fly boys were bringing their M.G's et al. back from England, and by comparison the Nash's engine was a powerhouse. It really deserved a better shot at the title, I feel.
I totally agree the c1 corvettes are very eh they are hard to get in and out of the Healy is the easiest it’s even easier then thunderbird
The biggest problem for the Nash Healey was it's price. Remember, you could buy a 53 Cadillac Series 62 for around $3,500.00. In the narrative you gave the convertible price as $4,000.00 +
@@chipieal I wouldn't argue that point, I feel that it was, however, the best sports car of the selection. The price differential would now be about 400:1 I am guessing?
Probably the rarest car that is at the same time easy to see. Feels like every one of them was saved (obviously an exaggeration but the survival rate is very high). Easy to find at museums, and they still come out to local shows. There's one of these yelow-green ones that appears near me. Sexy, especially the kiss me grille, but a slug. Kaiser went on to produce cars for many more years in Argentina. The middle roof position btw would I think be accurately described as a Coupe de Ville. Pontiac showed the Parisianne in 53 with a similar treatment, although it was a fixed roof. WYR: 1) the Nash-Healey to actually drive, 2) The Jaaag, what else?
They missed a chance to integrate the side mirror base into the wing windows brace trim. @15:21
I never thought much of these until I saw one in person. Then I thought it was very cool, particularly the interior. I'd choose the Darrin in both scenarios. I think Howard Johnson was the one who put 28 flavors of engines in these, but I could be wrong.
Hahaha
The more I look at this American icon, the more I like it.The light weight should give it a distinct avantage over the other cars.
1:06 Love that long look at the Studebaker Coupe Express.
1937 studebaker coupe express is my favorite car based truck with Hudson big boy very close second
@@What.its.like. Hudson Terraplanes from the 30s are nice too. Apparently, Hudson Australia had it's own design variations as well.
So, what WAS the first fiberglass car?
1946 stout scarab of the first minivan
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stout_Scarab
@@What.its.like. Oh, cool! Yes, I do know about the Scarab! Thanks!
I have always liked the Darrin for its rarity and features which set it apart from anything else on the road, such as the sliding doors. I would choose it over any of the cars shown here. As for the MGA, I thought it came out in 1955 to replace the MG which had running boards and sculpted fenders.
I agree with the MGA coming out in 55. It replaced the MG T-series, which ended with the TF.
wyr corvette
wyr jag
The power plant on the jag was next level. It is too bad they didn't have a better power plant for the Kaiser , but still had a good appearance and style.
Cadillac V 8 must have been a blast. I wonder what happened to all the performance Kaisers Darrin made up ? Thx Jay
There is tons of conflicting information out there. I don’t know how many of the V8 car survived. I don’t know how many were made one source six V8 cars were made. Another source said 100 V8 cars were made.
The Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum also has a Darrin, in Ypsilanti Michigan.
Awesome information =)
For WYR, I’ll take the Corvette, and the Jaguar.
I guess it’s safe to say, given your size, you probably couldn’t sit in this car. It is interesting to look at, and unique. But you probably need to be 5’6” or less to actually drive this car comfortably. Oh well.
Thank you for a look at such a rare car.
I could’ve gotten in any car that I wanted to at the museum but I didn’t. I didn’t get in any single one except for the De Soto airflow… I didn’t get in this one, because something was wrong with the door on the driver side. I couldn’t open it, and I remembered what Paul told me. I didn’t want nothing to happen to it so.
"I'm still farting against the wind" You're killing me! I pick the Kaiser Darrin and the XK-120. I think the Lane Auto Museum has a Kaiser Darrin, if memory serves.
I threw that in there is something special for anybody that made it to the very end lol
The lines of this car remind me so much of the Mach 5 from the Speed Racer cartoons. Especially the front end.
My uncle had a kaiser for years. Reminds me of Studebaker cars.
Cool video jay the wyr is no contest this time the corvette and the jaguar for sure. What happened to the period advertisement and events I always like that part for the context of the day back when
I’ll put some in the next video
Maybe you are the doyen who can tell me what Laura's (Jean Tierney) car was in the 1944 movie. It just appears for seconds when she arrives at her country place. Some prints seem to have cut the scene, confusingly, for TV showings, i.e. for commercials.
There's a scene where Vincent Price arrives at the cabin in a 1941Ford Super Deluxe. Gene Tierney has no scenes at the cabin.
The "10" on the speedometer is also flipped.
You noticed that to, so was the zero,lol.
William Stout's Scarab (Detroit Historical museum owns it and it's on display currently) late 1930's may be the first. Plus Henry Ford had a 1941 car made of plastic for experiment purposes but was rejected due to curing time issues and mass production needs. Richard Langworth, "last onslaught on Detroit" copywrite 1975.
That’s the car I was thinking of I will have to see if they’ll let me do a video on one. I know that there was only like eight or nine of them made first minivan. They are so cool. Ugly but cool.
The Darrin is an attractive car and the interior is stunning. I bet not having in interior door handle turned off a good number of buyers. A more conventional door probably would have helped sales and egress a good amount. Corvette and XK120
Hey Jay, I have an IDEA for you.....when you do the "GUESS THE NAME OF THAT SONG", > put it with the "year , of that car". Just an IDEA?
and away we go
Jackie Gleason's line!
@@ernielaw from miami beach
They are all unique in their own way. Don't know.
For me it's the Nash Healy followed by the Jaguar 120. The KF was a cool looking car but I think I'd want a more established dealer network.
Great choices and totally agree
1954 Jaguar, please!
Interesting car, but I'd take the Nash and the MGA as first choice with Jag a very close second! 😎
Sweet choices
No one will believe this, but I was just thinking about the Darrins 2 or 3 days ago (triggered by watching another Kaiser video). When I was in high school (late '60's) there was a Darrin in the shop class. If I remember correctly, I think it was red.
I'd take the XK-120, there was a 120 coupe across the canal from my parents' house. Now if you had included a 300 SL Gullwing, that would be my choice, hands down.
One just came up for sale. Not too far from where I live they’re asking 64 grand for it.
But they are a few and far between definitely want to cover some more Kaiser on this channel that is for sure I had the opportunity to do a Virginia while I was at the Gilmore. I ran out of time I’ve been looking for a Henry J or an Allstate those are really rare that are not molested in anyway .
Before the UA-cam channel I had the opportunity to sit in a Mercedes gullwing talk about a really hard car to get in and out of because the sides of the car go up you literally go through a window to get in that car very hard to do if you’re tall it isn’t the hardest vehicle that I ever got in and out of that goes to 2007 Lotus Elise that’s a really hard to get out of once you’re in it it’s fine, but it sits really low to the ground
Sweet choices, though
@@What.its.like. One of my classmates had a yellow Henry J. We used to sing "Sky of blue and sea of grey in our yellow Henry J" (a play on Yellow Submarine). Our valedictorian (a really cute petite girl) drove a restored MG-TF. Someone (I don't know who) drove a white '54 Vette to school. Every once in a while, I'd see a gray 300SL tooling around very near my neighborhood. While in college, a good friend had a yellow Saab Sonnet.
I also got to sit in a 300SL that was on display at the local Mercedes dealer (for about 23 nanoseconds until they chased me out of it.)
Nash with an added supercharger.
Awesome =) Nash are super underrated just saying
Available with the only engine KF ever had, a 226 cubic inch side valve I-6. A brick.
There is so much conflicting information some sources say that, but the advertisement say 161.. because I originally had 226 because that was what one source said, but that was the only source that said it everywhere else said 161
Dear What it's Like Producer. Question have you or will you do RV's? There is one that is up your alley. It was only around for like three years and it was based on the Dodge Dakota truck with one or two rear axle.
One day, I would totally love to do some RVs and campers Pierce arrow made travel lodges. I saw one last week, but I couldn’t get into it. It was too close together. Pierce arrow made some really cool trailers as of last ditch effort to try to save the company.
@@What.its.like. Ford had one for their model T trucks.
The Kaiser Darrin design is beautiful but overall too basic of a car and look more as a concept and not a finished project - I "would rather" the Nash Healey.
Maybe the Darrin version (Cadillac engine) will be the 1st choice but this isn't the original design
Sweet choices
WYR1: Between the Darrin and the Nash, not fond of the Corvette (I know, I'm a Philistine). If the Nash-Healy has an open drive shaft It would be an easy choice. If it's torque tube the Darrin looks pretty good.
WYR2: I would expect the Kaiser to be a lot less temperamental than the Brits, though that's an awfully small cooling air intake.
Great choices be 100% honest with you I'm not a huge Corvette fan I don't care what era I think they're overrated. The new ones are really cool I think but the ones from the 50s just have like a truck engine. It's a lot of money to spend on a car that leaks And they're super hard to push. I can speak from experience... they're also really hard to get in and out of
I'd probably go for the Nash-Healey. The big Healey's were great cars. Never heard of a Nash-Healey with an automatic transmission. Probably would be the HydraMatic, as that was what Nash was using at the time. I would have thought that the manual transmissions would have been Mowogs, which was common in British cars. In "The Adventures Of Superman", Clark Kent drove a Nash-Healey, which actually belonged to George Reeves. The Nash Ambassador 6cyl. was a very tough engine which served Nash well for many years.
Although the Kaiser-Darrin was an odd looking car, the Corvette was downright ugly, in my book. I can't believe that Chevy chose the PowerGlide , making it mandatory, instead of offering a true sporting manual transmission. I have a friend who bought a 1956 Corvette, used, when he was in High School back in the '60's. Although it has a dual-quad 265 V8, it's got a PowerGlide too! lol
I totally agree. The Nash Healy is my favorite American sports car. They’re easy to get in and out of the seats are super plush and comfortable and they just look super stellar. I’m looking for a 51 I’ve covered a 53. I know a guy who has one I’m going to see if there’s anyway that we could do that this year he also has a cross country Country club I should say from the 50s
54 Kaiser Darren
54 XK120 Not fair...
yeah, that's what the song was...
Sweet choices
Break on through the doors
Nice Body Styling, BUT the Front Grill doesn't look like it belongs on that Car.
A more traditional width/ size Grill, like the 54 Vette would have complimented it better.
The grille is his artistic representation of a "heart", just like the turn signals.
grill caused overheating during summers in SoCal
It was reported that Dutch actually had Cadillac V8s installed in some of the cars he bought. Some of these saw race duty in SoCal…even by a female driver.
The bizarre tilt of the door shut lines and the smooching radiator shroud really kill the Darin for me. Ugly styling was America's loss.
Vena's car in Rocky Jones!?
Is the museum Darrin sandwiched between a Chrysler Turbine and Edsel? Strange placement, but all three are historically worthy. My choices: the Darrin and the Jag. Styling drives most automobile sales.
Haha yeah how about that
Drat! My notifications are still not working 😖 The Kaiser-Darrin wasn't really intended to be an "everyman's" sports car but something which would appeal to the stylish 'avant garde' people of fame making a style statement for themselves. That was really a tiny market of mostly Hollywood acting types and it did make a splash there for awhile. I'm sure they hoped that would transfer to general popularity but that didn't happen. The doors were funky and not user-friendly, the engine underpowered for a sporty car, and fiberglass wasn't yet widely accepted as a good auto body material with very few car body shops able to execute crash repairs if needed.
I'm no fan of the 'seashell' grille even though I like everything else about the styling. It ruins everything leaving only this car's rarity as an appeal. So my WYR's go to the iconic Nash-Healey and the more iconic Jag XK 120.
It seems to be a common problem. I don’t know why it’s not working. It’s kind of like the Facebook marketplace app isn’t showing me stuff that’s in my zone anymore. It’s showing me stuff that’s 6 1/2 hours outside of the bubble. Super frustrating. Specially, when you’re looking for something to purchase.
Great choices. Glad you dig this episode.
The front of this car: o 👄 o
I’ll take the Nash and the Jag thanks. 😉👍
Sweet choices
I like it when you post your boo-boos at the end of the video. So, time for a couple of corrections: Woodill is pronounced Wood-ill. I used to say Woodwill. The 53-55 Corvette had 3 sidedraft Carter YH carbs, not downdraft. You can see the same carbs on the Nash Healey engine pic, and Chevy used a similar carb on the Turbo Corvairs. While I don't know the first fiberglass car, I do know Ford made a sedan (late 30s-early 40s) from a soybean based material. There is a photo showing Henry bashing the car with a sledgehammer to show that it was dent-proof
Yeah that part made it because I said down draft and not side draft lol
That was a tongue twister of a name
Great insight and information
1954 Nash Healey = steel body with aluminum hood & trunk-lid.
First option- I'd go Corvette. Option 2, the Jag.
Awesome choices but I will say being in the jag it’s a lot tighter than you think I would compare the jag to almost the Packard Darren. They’re both very tight cars steering wheel is pretty much at your chest.
@@What.its.like. I'm also half your size so I'm good.
The 'Vette and the MGA...
"Break on through" to the other side --The Doors ?
christimmons389 just beat you im really late on responses tonight
WWR 1: Kaiser WWR 2: MG First fiberglass car? Glasspar G2 or Yankee Clipper, also early 40's the Kurtis Craft.
I was thinking the Stout scarab 1946 only 8 were made
@@What.its.like. England laid the groundwork for fiberglass and kit sports cars as early as 1939. The MC-750. Why 750? The engine it used 750 cc. "Kit car"
Awesome even one before the scarab
The distinction is "production', meaning down a production line.
@@terrystrasatti754 Hint? He didn't mention that.
doors love her madly
You’re on the right track. It is that band but it is not that song.
@@What.its.like. yea i rushed it .great episode jay, thanks
Nash
MG
The gages are same as 1949-51 Frazer
Sweet choices =)
I have yet to do a frazer
WYR: 1. Kaiser Darrin 2. Jag Xk120
Sweet choices
yesteryear have all the Lindsey miniatures. mb
WYR
Nash Healy
Jag 120
Cool choices =)
First would you rather I would take the Nash. The second would you rather I would take the MG.A.
Groovy choices
1. Nash 2. the Jag all day.
Sweet choices
Break on through to the other side doors and I will take the Vette and jag!
Awesome choices, christimmons389 just beat you im really late on responses tonight =)
Light My Fire - the Doors
You’re on the right track. It is that band but not that song.
Darrin and MGA
Cool choices
Corvette. Jaguar.
Keiser Darren for sure
Sweet choice =)
It's FrAzer, not FrYzer.
I struggle with his name I’m going to just go back to Saying Fraser
Weird little car not my cup of tea lol but interesting. Chevy - Kaiser.
Sweet choices
It's Frazer, not 'Frizer'.
Got corrected both ways
XK 120 is my choice.
Sweet choice
i know henry ford experimented with soy based fiberglass
Yeah, didn’t he build a car out of hemp I saw something where he built a car that he hit with a soft blow hammer much like how Tesla hit the cyber truck, but it didn’t do anything to the body of the car
Soy based plastic, not fiberglass.
Soy based plastic, not fiberglass
@@danielulz1640 yea could be . i just remember him hitting it with the hammer ,they didnt say but i assume the resin was soy based but had to have a fiber to hold it together
@@kenpruvit1037maybe that is where the hemp fiber came in. I remember something about all the material was agricultural.
I appreciate these cars but not my cup of tea.
Yea I’m with you I’m more of a Healy guy those are posh
I've seen a Kaiser-Darrin at a local car show. While an interesting piece of history, there is too much for me to dislike. No radio or space for one, no glove box, no sun visors. I can't abide that ugly grille, and it seems to me that the small grille might cause the car to overheat. The doors are unique but not practical. I do love the taillights though. My choices would be the Corvette and the Jag.
Sweet choices =)
The nash,
It is true that the US manufacturers did have a turn at sports cars, but why did they all have to be be so darned ugly critters? The Eurosporters were such elegant/ beautiful creatures.
I know right I do like the healey though
There's no competition between Kaiser Darrin and others when it comes to attractiveness and look. However to own I would prefer a real car which is, of course, Chevrolet Corvette. The latter has stunning styling as well but is made of metal, has an engine providing better power. Then it's a Chevrolet, for which parts should be available. Any dings, rust could be fixed in the steel body of Corvette.
I'm sorry, British design of cars were just for looks. They never felt particularly attractive to me - sorry, but no sorry, I wouldn't choose to own a British car.
The corvette is made of fiber glass
@What.its.like. I have no information how many companies restore fiberglass classic car bodies. It might be a few survivors out there which if broken can never be repaired or replaced. Or I might be wrong about fiberglass.
I imagine some companies might provide steel kits for certain models to replace fiberglass.
There's a reason they went bankrupt. Jeep's are crap... Yeah, I said it! Hate to say this, but none of the cars here did a thing for me. But, i'm a big car guy, not really into the pocket rockets... so it's just a "me" thang, and not to trash anyone else's opinions... I know big, American luxo-barge boulevard cruisers aren't everyone's cup of tea either 🙂
I’m not a jeep fan. I will be the first to admit that totally agree. They are making luxury jeeps now with the Wagoneer biggest pile of poo one could buy yes they are nice. They ride like Lincoln town cars but they have a lot of issues.
only 90 horsepower. Arf arf.
It’s not a very big hp figure
F RAY shur
.
An expensive sports car powered by anemic 161 CI Willys F Head 6. Not worth waiting for.
Making a financial comparison to today's money is incredibly misleading because today's dollar isn't worth shit!!!😮
Inflation sucks… more doesn’t always mean more, a lot of times it means you’ll have less
@@What.its.like. Did you ever see the videos about the fiberglass ranch?? Theres a guy whose bought up a ton of old fiberglass cars and is restoring them little by little to concours levels and I've seen these cars in his stash.
Never saw or even heard of it until now if you have a link I’ll check it out =)