1954 Kaiser-Frazer Darrin with Cadillac V-8 conversion

161-001023roadUnited States

Engine: 1954 Cadillac V-8 with four-barrel carburetor and custom headers, paired to a five-speed manual gearbox
Colour: Pine Tint Green

The 23rd Kaiser-Darrin produced, this 1954 roadster is notable as a high-quality Cadillac V-8 conversion carried out well beyond the standards achievable in the original era. Former owner and engineer Phil Bray oversaw a thorough disassembly and rebuild, incorporating a stiffened boxed frame, uprated rear suspension, a period-correct 1954 Cadillac V-8, and a five-speed Getrag gearbox. Finished in factory Pine Tint Green with custom Dayton knock-off wire wheels, the car represents an elevated realisation of the original Dutch Darrin Cadillac conversion concept.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$128,800
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Phil Bray
partial documentation
Deceased enthusiast and engineer who performed an extensive professional-grade Cadillac V-8 conversion and full restoration, upgrading the frame, drivetrain, electrical system, and bodywork to a standard beyond what was feasible in the 1950s.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

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Restoration
Complete disassembly and high-specification rebuild including addition of a crossmember to the factory frame for increased rigidity, uprated rear springs, installation of a correct 1954 Cadillac V-8 with four-barrel carburetor and custom exhaust headers mated to a Getrag T-5 five-speed via a custom cast-aluminium adapter, upgrade to a 12-volt electrical system, custom Dayton knock-off wire wheels, factory-colour bodywork in Pine Tint Green, period-correct upholstery sourced through the Kaiser-Frazer Owners Club, and correct-colour hood material supplied by Haartz.
Work attributed to former owner Phil Bray; engineered to standards beyond what was possible in the original production era. Original chassis and body tags retained.

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