I researched Kaiser-Frazer and the Kaiser Darrin a bit this morning, still jazzed a bit after seeing a Darrin at the Perrysburg car show last night. I figured it would be featured in this book I have about the history of industrial design in Toledo.

Nope! It’s not even mentioned in a footnote. Hard to believe, considering the unique appearance and features of the car, and its history and tight connection to other key aspects of Toledo history (Willys, Jeep, etc.).

I guess the bottom line is the Darrin was a failure (an epic one, apparently). I guess the phrase “history is written by the victors” applies to more than just war. That’s a shame, of course, because, as the Darrin shows us, there’s fascinating history in the tales of those who lost.

This just came to me as I sat on the back patio resting between cutting the front and back yards — Beautiful Loser by Bob Seger is the perfect song for today, as a tribute to the Kaiser Darrin. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, to me, the Darrin is a beautiful car. And it’s a loser.

Seger’s Detroit roots don’t hurt, either.

A Saturday with nice weather…which means I’m cutting grass and working on the pool all day.