College Cars: 1954 Kaiser Darrin

This is College Cars, another look into the automobile collection of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Today we're looking at a 1954 Kaiser Darrin roadster.

I have long had a soft spot for the Kaiser Darrin, a fiberglass roadster that was built in small numbers for only one year and primarily because Henry Kaiser's wife liked the concept. Its claim to fame is the way its doors slide into the front fenders rather than hinge outward. The convertible roof is adjustable to have only its front section slide back like a targa top to let the sun in, or be lowered completely. It's no performance car, a Henry J chassis offering only 90 horsepower from a Willys-built six. But you have to admit it's interesting to look at. Cool fact: the last 100 or so Darrins got Cadillac V8s good for 300-plus horses. Now there's your sports car. Shame it was too little, too late.
Near as I can find, this car was purchased at the RM Auctions 2011 Amelia Island event, for $170,500. If this is in fact that vehicle, it was the 20th car built in a series of 435.

College Cars: 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Berlinetta Aerodinamica

This is College Cars, another look into the automobile collection of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Today we're looking at a 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Berlinetta Aerodinamica.

This magnificent machine was developed to race at Le Mans. Well, it appears that this exact one wasn't, but it's a rebody to match the one or two original Aerodinamica coupes built on the 6C 2500 chassis - the latter of which was rare enough in the first place at only 33 examples built. All were created for the purpose of racing, and the original Aerodynamica(s) appear to have been vanished after 1940. This is one of a precious few cars of this type left, and it is really one of a kind. The only other vehicle like it that I know of is an almost identical grey 1942 car that participated in the 2013 California Mille road rally. My few photos do not really do this beast justice.
This rare Alfa was purchased by AAU at the 2010 Gooding & Company Amelia Island auction for $748,000.

College Cars: 1933 Lincoln KB Custom Dietrich Convertible Sedan

This is College Cars, a recurring feature about the vehicles of the Academy of Art University car collection. Today we look at this 1933 Lincoln KB, a factory special-order convertible sedan bodied by Dietrich. Fifteen of these cars were built in 1933; only six survive today.

In the 1930s, Lincoln had a catalog that allowed its wealthy clientele to select custom bodies from a variety of coachbuilders. Among these was Dietrich. The KB featured a complex L-head V12 engine displacing 448 cubic inches, good for 150 horsepower.

College Cars: 1947 Cisitalia 202 Cabriolet

This is College Cars, a recurring feature about the Academy of Art University auto collection. Today we're looking at a 1947 Cisitalia 202 that is believed to have once belonged to Argentinian president Juan Peron and his wife Evita.

The Cisitalia cabriolet is an extremely rare car, with only 34 surviving examples in the world today. It's powered by a tiny 1.1 liter four cylinder engine producing just 55 horsepower. It was styled by Battista 'Pinin' Farina. Considering this car was created in 1947, it's a very modern design.

College Cars: 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

This is College Cars, a recurring feature on the vehicles of the Academy of Art University car collection. Today we look at this Cortez Silver 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.

The Eldorado was Cadillac's halo car in 1959. This was about as opulent and ostentatious as you were going to find in the late 1950s - and the Caddy's iconic tailfins were as high as anyone ever got. Power to move the 5000-lb car came from a 390 cubic inch V8 making 345 horsepower. Only 1,320 of these striking '59 Eldorado convertibles were built.

College Cars: 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina

This is College Cars, a recurring feature on the vehicles of the Academy of Art University collection. Today is April Fool's Day, so let's look at something that's silly and tiny like a clown car. This is a 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile semi-convertible.

Autobianchi was a joint effort by bicycle manufacturer Bianchi, carmaker Fiat and tire company Pirelli to build small cars based on Fiat architecture. Bianchi actually made cars before World War II, but was hindered badly when their old factory was destroyed by wartime bombing and company founder Edoardo Bianchi was killed in a car accident. This partnership allowed the company to return to carmaking on a limited basis. The Bianchina was Autobianchi's first model, based on the Fiat 500 but kitted up with a stylish new body and more luxurious features. Among these were a semi-convertible canvas roof insert that slid back on a track to let the sunshine in. This model, called the Transformabile, was the only way customers could have a Bianchina until 1960 when the line was expanded to include other models.
This car was purchased by the Academy of Art University in 2011 and fetched a surprising $82,500.

College Cars: 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C Speciale

This is College Cars, a recurring feature on the auto collection of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. Today we look at this 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C Speciale, a best-in-class Pebble Beach Concours winner.

This is the only long-wheelbase T150 'Lago Speciale' believed to have been built out of 16 cars in this series bodied by Figoni & Falaschi. It has an interesting history - originally commissioned by a French banker, a later owner raced the car at the 1948 24 Hours of Spa. He won first in class. The car received a restoration many years later and in 2011 won First in Class and was nominated for Best in Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This is a truly amazing car, and is valued accordingly. The Academy of Art University picked it up in 2010 for a mere $4,620,000.

College Cars: 1937 Delage D8-120 Drop Head Coupe

This is College Cars, a recurring feature about the Academy of Art University car collection. Today we look at this 1937 Delage D8-120.

This Delage is one of only 12 D8-120 Drop Head Coupes built by Henri Chapron. It's powered by a 115-horsepower overhead valve straight-8 engine turning the wheels through a Cotal 4-speed pre-selective transmission. This car was purchased by the Academy of Art University at the Gooding & Co. auction in Arizona in 2010 for the princely sum of $605,000.