The Bobby Darin Dream Car (1960 DiDia 150)
I spotted Bobby Darin's startling 1960 DiDia 150 at The Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri. It was just one of several surprises in the Earl C. Lindberg Automobile Center (no relation to Charles A. Lindbergh of the Spirit of St. Louis fame). We weren't sure what to expect, but we were greeted by a very nice couple that owned and were keeping watch over the place. They had every answer ready, and were rightfully proud of their compact but fascinating automotive collection.
I was startled when I saw the Darin car. It took me back to The Simpsons episode where Homer designed a car called ... The Homer. Stuck somewhere between a 1950s show car and the Batmobile, here sat something that Elvis and Liberace would have probably ran away from. Brash metallic red paint (originally 30 coats with real ground diamonds for sparkle), tail fins befitting a Boeing 747, and a glass cockpit that no air conditioning system could ever cool, the boldness of the design is totally unique.
The original owner of the car, Bobby Darin (Walden Robert Cassotto), was born in The Bronx on May 14, 1936, and at age eight he heard a doctor tell his mother that he might not live past 16 due to heart damage caused by rheumatic fever. Darin went on to record such hits as "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," and "Mack The Knife," which won him a Grammy in 1960.
Darin was nominated for an Academy Award in 1963 for his portrayal of a shell-shocked soldier in Captain Newman, M.D. His record company, TM Music/Trio, launched Wayne Newton and others. Darin was with Robert Kennedy in 1968 when he was killed at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Bobby went into seclusion for about a year after that event. In 1972, he had a TV variety show called The Bobby Darin Amusement Company that he hosted until his sudden death in 1973. Darin's death came after surgery to correct heart problems brought on by blood poisoning. He was 37.
Darin's car was built by Detroit native and clothing designer Andy DiDia; the car took seven years, from 1953 to 1960, to finish. Two engines are listed as powerplants; I assume the present 427 came later. Originally the car cost $153,647.29 to create; today it's worth $1.5 million.
The car rides on a 125-inch wheelbase, about twice the length of the Smart Car's wheelbase. The car was so long, I had to tilt it in the crop box to try to get it to properly fit in the frame. Maybe the tilt gives the car somewhat of a "Batman"-esque feel, relative to the time period in which Darin drove the car to the Academy Awards. The car was also used in several movies.
The DiDia 150 is hand-fashioned from soft aluminum, has thermostatically controlled air conditioning, hidden headlights, tail lights that swivel as the car turns a corner, glass windows on hinges, and rust-colored seats, each with an ash tray, cigarette lighter, and radio speaker. No word on cup holders.
As best I can tell, the oversize levers on the dash control the heater, defrost, and air conditioning systems. It's also nice to see the flat-bottomed steering wheel, many years ahead of the time when VW GTIs and others made them almost commonplace.
In 1970, Darin donated the DiDia 150 to the Museum of Transportation. There is a special glass case beside the car with his photo, autograph, and other memorabilia. The car was restored by Manns Auto Body in Festus, Missouri, just previous to display.
The only other car in the Museum that literally made me gasp was their working Chrysler Turbine Car, the only running Turbine Car on public display. Jay Leno has offered to buy the Chrysler, but he hasn't been able to close the deal. The owners start it every two weeks, but my hints that I'd love to hear the car run fell flat.
Thanks to Amazon.com for the Bobby Darin album cover.
--That Car Guy
Jim Cox on June 17, 2009 at 08:05 PM
I worked for Andy DiDia when I was 19 years old, traveling with The Bobby Darin Dream Car to many auto shows. I'am now 65 years old. Wow how time flys. My job was to help set up the display. I spent many hours while working for Andy polishing the car. My job during the show was to answer questions people would ask. No I didn't have a chance to drive it. I can't rember what engine was in it but it was not a turbine. The car cost $93,647.29 to build not $153,647.29 and was valued at $150,000. That is why it was refered to as The Bobby Darin $150,000 Dream Car. I had a chance to go to Vegas and help Andy do a promo with Bobby Darin, but I didn't. To this day I could kick myself for not going. I had a lot of fun doing this job. Thank You Andy for this great opportunity.
Catherine P on February 01, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Just this weekend I was in a restuarant in metro Detroit with four family friends who range in age from 14-20 when a nicely dressed older gentleman came to our table and introduced himself as Andy. At first we thought he was the owner, but our waitress let us know that he was famous for designing a car - it was Andy DiDia!Throughout the evening he stopped by a few more times always with a big smile and a great story - include a couple about Bobby Darin. My young friends enjoyed his attention and stories, and were excited to receive one of his business cards which features this Dream Car. It was a fun evening and he was a delight to meet!
glphil on February 27, 2010 at 04:00 PM
That car guy!
Thank you for your fine piece on the Bobby Darin's DiDia and the COOL pictures! From what little info I could glean from the Internet, I believe it is a total ground-up original for the frame and body. No doubt the engine is based on something from Detroit. I can vaguely remember that the frame was unique back then, made out of aluminum, when all the domestic cars had steel frames. I also remember it being stated that the frame was way ahead of its time and the process became standard in Detroit decades later. Now of course, the cars are unibody, however larger vehicles still use body on frame designs.
Thanks for an interesting article and great pics! phil near seattle
Attn Trolls: This article here, as well as most of this type on the web, are DONE WITHOUT RENUMERATION (not paid-for the poorly educated). If you keep bitchin', whining and carping, many of these people are going to stop contributing, since you scum aren't worth putting up with!!!! Since you think you're so f*%&ing smart, why not write something others could enjoy instead of wasting your "talents" criticizing ?? YOU WILL get more satisfaction and maybe you might get some purpose in life and feel better about yourself!!
glphil on February 27, 2010 at 04:02 PM
That Car Guy
It's really great people like you contribute articles like this, strictly for the love of the subject, that so many of us can enjoy! That enjoyment seems to take different forms however... I love the content and pictures!! The grammar Nazis (Gosh maybe a new troll title... but I'm sure someone else must have thought of this before) can play school marm (doubt I have used that anachronism before... probably last time too!) and fool themselves into thinking that their totally pointless life has significance! Could you imagine having Not Here, No There as a neighbor/relative/co-worker?? Could murdering a boor be considered a crime of passion??? Think of all the people that would love you!!!
I, for one, appreciate the work that people like you contribute. (I also do a little on a couple of paranormal subjects. You can't believe some of the hostility I have encountered !!) These infantile cowards seem to feel empowered by the anonymity behind their keyboards, and exhibit a bravado they'd never dream of in a face to face encounter! I'm sure many of them use this as an outlet for all the hostilities that accrue from being a coward with an insignificant life!
Thanks for an interesting article and great pics! phil near seattle
glphil on July 08, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Gosh, I hope my observations didn't emasculate the little grammarians and render them powerless by holding them up to a mirror and letting them see themselves (finally) for what they are!
Naw!! Not a chance! (I love writing! I wish my speaking was as clever... guess the old brain isn't "quick on its feet" as it would be if I hadn't used it for a toxic substance processing center in the 60s, 70s, 80s, ...) But life goes on ... with or without us!
Peace, Blessings & Health!! old hippie near seattle
glphil on July 08, 2010 at 03:01 PM
Some burned out hippie above, switched a couple of letters in the word REMUNERATION, and comically wrote RENUMERATION, which probably would be correct for instances such as when libraries switched to the Library of Congress indexing system, but wrong in the given instance. Nothing more fun than finding errors in a post when someone acts like a know-it-all!
steve teixeira on December 28, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Just picked up a Rod and Custom magazine. 1961 December the Darin car is on the cover.
Pete Walls on March 29, 2011 at 06:41 AM
I just read the other day that Chrysler had made 50 of those turbine cars, and that Jay Leno does indeed own one, but i dont' know where he got his.
Would be interesting to know exactly what the "dream car" specs. are, like who produced the engine/transmission (Cadillac?)