It’s a Star! No, not that kind of Star but a “Star Car”. What’s a Star Car you ask? Well, it was a coupe designed to compete with the likes of the Model T Ford back in the late ’20s. And while seldomly seen anymore, here’s a 1928 coupe example, located in Montrose, Colorado and available here on craigslist for $3,500. Thanks to Ikey H. for this most interesting tip!
Star was a motor company created by Durant Motors. Durant Motors, in turn, was formed by the notable, or notorious, depending on your perspective, William Durant, the procreator of General Motors Corporation. Sometime after GM ‘s board of directors gave Durant the 23 Skidoo, Durant formed Durant Motors in 1921. Within ten years Durant Motors was finito but one of the curiously interesting cars created by Durant was the Star Car coupe which was produced between 1923 and 1928. While a supposedly Model T competitor, this 1928 edition looks more like a Model A competitive surrogate.
It’s funny how something buried deep in the recesses of your memory suddenly comes to life, based on something as simple as a momentary glimpse of a picture. When I first saw the initial image of this Star Car coupe, it immediately triggered a recall of a long seemingly forgotten episode of The Lloyd Bridges Show entitled, “Just Married”. There is some detail on the episode here. The car in the show was a Model A Ford but the images of this Star are so similar to the Model A featured in the show that the synapses immediately made the connection to that 1962 TV episode.
So, what do we have here? Elegantly decrepit is probably the best description. The seller tells us that there is rust present though the images reveal it as mostly surface rust in nature. The sheet metal is rated as being in only “fair” condition. Things like the running boards, however, are pretty well shot as is the fabric top cover. That said, it appears to be mostly all there (99% according to the seller).
The head-scratcher is what resides in the engine room. There are no accompanying images so I can only show you the controls but not the engine. Research tells us that a Star Car coupe usually came equipped with a 152 CI in-line four-cylinder engine that squeezed out about 24 HP. The seller claims that this Star has a six-cylinder flat-head “Continental ” engine which was manufactured by the independent engine manufacturer, Continental Motors. Continental was an OEM supplier to various domestic manufacturers back in the day including Star. From what could be surfaced, a six-cylinder Continental engine displaced 199 CI and was rated at 71 HP. An engine of that size in a car as diminutive as this Star coupe should make for interesting driving dynamics. Very unfortunate that there is not more detail included in the listing. One bright spot, the seller claims that the engine at least turns over.
The interior of this coupe is spent. There is a seat frame, remnants of a wooden steering wheel and trashed door cards, not much else. Floorboards, which are literally boards, need some attention too. There is no visible instrument panel but it is hard to tell if that is by design or the result of happenstance.
The skinny on this Star coupe is that it was parked in 1957 in a barn that collapsed. Now, 63 years later it has surfaced for sale. Yes, this Star Car coupe is rare but as a limited production commodity car and not in the sense of limited production, high-dollar premium cars of the era like Stutz, Auburn and Ruxton. So the question is, how do you turn this Star into an ALL-STAR? Would you try to restore it, hot-rod it or resto-mod it? The market for such an interesting, obscure old car is pretty limited; is this Star Car coupe a project that you would consider?
Who knew Pinto ,Mustang and many others thought a gas tank made to assist the pre 5 mph bumper with safety factor protection was a great idea 💡 😉😎
Its a very cool car other than the gas tank bang factor 👀 (to be fair back in the day distractions like cell phones, many cars on road and speeding were not a factor)
Wow, how many of these things can still exist? It looks very original and complete, so I hope someone restores it.
If this really has 71 hp, once everything is gone through of course, this car should theoretically be able to keep up with most speed limits–and potentially get you into some situations that the tires and brakes can’t get you out of! I like the kind-of-Packardy-Buicky grille too. For the right price, it honestly doesn’t look that hard to bring back, although you wouldn’t be selling for a profit even if you do all the work yourself. BTW, the dash is clearly visible in the shot through the passenger door. Looks similar to a Model A dash.
You stood a better chance of getting rear ended by a horse and buggy lmao..@ classic..but where would you find parts for it possibly make your own..I’m sure you would have the only star car at the show
My Father’s first car was a 1923 Star and I had never seen one until today. He was born in 1908 and worked for U.S. Rubber Co. in Detroit. He drove his Star until he bought a new 1928 Model A. The name was changed to Uniroyal and he worked there almost 40 years. I miss him and all his stories about his cars and his job everyday. Thanks for the Memories.
I want a vehicle of this vintage one day that isn’t the oh-so-common T or A. This would exactly fit the bill. Lots of work. Everywhere. Vehicles have come do far since these rolled off the line. Yes, fuel tank placement is pretty dumb. I do believe there is one large gauge tucked under the center of the dash. I am completely unfamiliar with the Star. Does anyone know what that is?
Probably a radio speaker or a heater. Hard to tell.
It’s a heater. I had a 1928 Durant. Aftermarket, not a factory accessory to my knowledge.
One issue is doing research and finding parts. This is suitable for one with resources like Jay Leno, not the average collector. now I have to find my auto history books and look up the star.
This would be a good project to take on. I would think that if the wood body frame is in good shape the job shouldn’t be too much of a burden. But that wood can be a PITA. One thing for sure: you’re not likely to find another one at a show’n’shine. I saw a pickup version of this at a show a couple of years back. According to the Standard Catalog or Amercian Trucks, Durant cranked out a few of them under the Star moniker. Something different too…
I prefer the restore option most of the time, but on a seldom seen vehicle, it should be the only option.
Don’t agree. This is a candidate to be left in HPOF (Historic Preservation of Original Features) status. Just make it run & drive again and it’ll draw eyeballs like a magnet at local shows.
Just did a little research. This might be a ’27 model R. These had a factory 6 cyl in ’26 and ’27. After Jan ’28 all 6 ‘ s were rebadged as Durants, and in April, Star was a memory.
Of course, anyone could have swapped that motor out. 92 years is a long time.
This is a 27 not a 28 as I have a 28. The radiator shell is different and easily recognized.
I like that custom steering wheel.
Didn’t you take your drivers test in a blue one?
You’re a mind reader. Yes I did but it was a special right hand drive model with factory A/C and cruise control.
I hope everyone knows that I’m kidding.
This is a blue one!
Kind of sad it wasn’t saved a few decades ago when lots more people were interested in cars built in the 20’s.
This car is actually in Montrose Colorado if that matters to anyone lol
Fixed! Thank you Aamodel.
This car didn’t survive 92 years to be destroyed by turning it into a hot rod- that would be absolutely criminal.
That’s what I would do with it. Hot rods that are different are the absolute best.
There’s a special place in hell for someone who would hot rod such a rare car.
“There’s a special place in hell for someone who would hot rod such a rare car………….”
Hell, yeah………..
Not many 41 New Yorker coupes around, but I sleep at night after cutting it up.
Interesting find! I never heard of a star, at first glance I thought it was a model a
If
I had the space and health I would love to have this project to restore.
That being its rarely…..not considering the dollar it would bring as a rat rod ..hot
Rod…..etc.
Rarely is such a find for sure.
Insane place for the gas tank. I’d spend all my time checking the rearview mirror.
Had a ‘26 Star back in the early 60’s, that my Mom sold for $500 to get it out of the side yard! Still ran.
Have a Moon – a Star would round out the galaxy if there was a 59 Ford in the background.
Probably the only way to save it, is to Rod it.
Cannot see anyone restoring it.
No parts for a resto
This is pretty solid, and it’s all there. I”m assuming it has a wood substructure– and if that’s in usable condition, this is an easy restoration. Aside from the running boards, which might be tough to source or reproduce, this would be a pretty straighforward and not terribly difficult restoration for someone who can do bodywork and upholstery.
That’s a very sharp looking car for 1928! Love the fenders and the bustle-back/gas tank area. Slightly more sculpted than a Model A, not to mention a Model T!!!
Use Model A parts to restore (??) As far as gas tank placement, is it no different than Fords all the way through 1934??
My father was born in 1913. On Sunday a family friend visited and drove a Star. My fathers brother was older and could drive, not of age of course. They borrowed the car and drove around and my father was 10 or 12 years old said he got to drive and learned that day. Both made it safely back. I remember this my dad told the story.
I grew up in NE Pennsylvania and in high school worked for a veterinarian who collected odd things and had them in the basement of the clinic. One of those items was a late 1920’s Durant Star. I have pictures of it. In the 1990’s I got involved in carriage driving and collecting antique carriages- one restored carriage that I acquired was an 1896 Durant-Dort Sporting Phaeton. The only other Durant-Dort carriage I have found is a 2 wheel cart in the Ford Transportation Museum, but it is nothing special. Durant and his partner Josiah Dallas Dort first built carriages in Flint, Michigan and were very successful, so Durant took his money and wound up buying Buick, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet and then formed General Motors. Ousted by the Board he started Durant Motors which operated from 1922-1928. Interesting that I would have 2 connections to Durant, one of his carriages and one of his cars. About a year ago the Vet died and his estate was being auctioned off, and I spotted the Durant Star for sale. While it was intriguing, I also knew the car was under water for 5 days during the Agnes Flood in 1972, so you can imagine what that might have done to the wooden frame, motor and everything else. Anyway, William Crapo Durant was an interesting piece of carriage and car history. Good thing they didn’t name it the Crapo Car Company.
General Motors just restored one. Are you the carriage collector they got this one from?
https://socrates.gm.com/socratessites/usa/en/gm/home/company/news.detail.html/socratescontent/news/usa/en/gm/shared/gmstory/2020/feb/02062020_gm-design-teams-restore-historic-rare-two-seat-carriage-to-its-former-glory.html