Re: A genuine Darrin restored with a Viper engine?

Posted by Tim Cole On 2012/10/21 14:25:14

I agree that this thing is not a genuine Darrin. The door line (Darrin Dip) is wrong and the tacking rail looks an inch too low. And the windshield doesn't look right.

Once you get used to the seating, it isn't all that bad. I think maybe Darrin did it that way because he felt the look was better. That is, he styled the seatback to make the driver look better.

If I had my choice I would take the 120 Darrin over the 180. The 120's were built in the Hollywood shop and handle much better. When you point the 180 models into a turn they understeer as much as a Chris Craft. Truly a land yacht. The 120 with overdrive is a much more balanced car.

None of them is fit to be driven at high speeds. I remember Ken Hines had to use a seat belt to keep the doors from flying open on his car. That was another Darrin that was "improved" after it changed hands.