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...and because it made sense for cost/model positioning. A 356-engined car with a semi-custome body (Darrin, LeBaron, Rollson)and top trim level was going to be a 180.

Hadn't considered that, now it all makes sense.

I've always wondered how Darrin made a 38-40 Coupe into a finished Darrin Victoria in 2 weeks an d today it takes a year to restore one??

Hi Fred

The answer to your question can be seen when looking into the inner structure of the body. Years ago, a '40 Darrin Victoria here in western New York had its trunk lid open. Much to my surprise, the inner wheelhouses had been crudely cut and overlapped in wedge-shaped sections, hammer-welded, as well as the trunk floor cut to allow the whole rear body to be rotated down around the rear wheels.

At the Centennial, the '40 Darrin Sport Sedan, which was a shell on its chassis then, provided a good look at the structural work. To say it was crude and slapdash would be kind, excellent craftsmanship was a far secondary consideration to just plain expediency. I may even have a photo or two that shows it. (Not great resolution but one can see the cuts in the inner wheelhouse)

Also at the Centennial, in the only conversation I ever had with Jim Hollingsworth, he coined the term that's stuck with me ever since, referring to Darrins as "cut-'n-paste customs".

Steve

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sorry but a re-stamped VIN plate on A Darrin asks more questions than it answers