Most people have never heard of Billy Durant. His influence in the automobile industry, however, is still with us today. Durant was the man who founded General Motors, and designed the brand system that the company uses today. Unfortunately, Durant overextended himself and lost control of his company two separate times. He pressed on regardless, and started a new company named after himself when he was driven from General Motors for the last time. Founded in 1920, Durant Motors, like GM, soon offered a brand for every step up the financial ladder. The dusty car we see above is a 1927 Durant Star, the most economical car the company offered. Resting for almost 50 years, this reminder of a bygone era is currently for sale on craigslist for $5,000 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Many thanks to faithful reader Roger for spotting this unique warehouse find.
The seller of this Star states that the car has sat in this warehouse since purchased in 1969. It has a set of 1945 license plates that come with it, alluding to that being the last time the car was registered and used. A car like this from a defunct manufacturer would be pretty low on anyone’s want list by that time. The manual that the seller photographed for the ad states that it is a six cylinder car. However, in the craigslist ad it says that the car has just 18.15 horsepower. This seems low for a six cylinder, so maybe it is a typo. In addition, the seller states that the car needs some roof repair and the interior will need replacement.
Still, what we can see in the pictures looks solid enough to restore. If the original upholstery is still there, then a pattern can be determined by an upholsterer. The floors are likely wooden, as they were in nearly all cars of the time. While there is surface rust on the body panels, it doesn’t look like anything some high build primer and some sanding time couldn’t remedy. Most glaring of the concerns would be the status of the engine and the wood framework of the body. Being stored inside for nearly five decades helps tremendously in both areas.
Given that Stars were supposed to compete with Model T Fords in the marketplace, this car looks to be rather advanced in comparison to the T. In 1928, that would change. The Model A Ford would have been stiff competition for the Star. The popularity of Henry’s Lady from 1928 through 1931 and the introduction of the V-8 Ford in 1932 was probably one of the reasons that the company went bankrupt in 1933. The Depression and stiff competition made sure that Billy Durant wasn’t able to succeed in building a new company based on his revolutionary marketing ideas. He himself went bankrupt in 1936, and lived out the last years of his life managing a bowling alley and selling hamburgers in Flint, Michigan.
While this car would be a challenge to restore, I hope someone makes the effort. Obviously there are not many Durants rolling down America’s streets anymore. Durant may have failed to recreate his success at General Motors, but he kept trying. That has to count for something. Whoever ends up buying this Star will likely have a tough time bringing the car back to its former glory, but they will have an interesting story to tell at car shows. Perseverance has its rewards.
Super cool car would win trophies 🏆 restored 👍
I hope they keep original as possible!
It’s possibly lil high as here is one restored
It has the front pictures and interior to see what this seller failed to post
https://www.oldcaronline.com/1927-Durant-Star-Staunton-Illinois-for-sale-ID715075.htm
Wonder what one of those chicken wire/leatherette roofs would cost to do? Anyone here ever replace one? Is it difficult?
I’m sure you could Google it or maybe even check YouTube. Couldn’t be that difficult being that type of roof was the norm for a LOT of cars back in the day. Don’t think they would have done them like that to spend MORE time during the build process.
I am sure I could google it as well. I was hoping to hear from the gang here on personal experience. And I do know they built them like that due to sheet metal stamping limitations, not because of how long it took.
Up until the mid to late 30’s all cars that weren’t convertibles and were metal tops had a hole in the top. I always heard was due to the limitations of die stamping technology but an article in the Old Motor states differently(http://theoldmotor.com/?p=165855). Look at old movies a lot of them have overhead shots of cars, which look like they have a piece of canvas over the top in the middle. The new all one piece metal top was called a turret top.
I’ve done several – not terribly difficult to do.
I repaired one of those leatherette roofs on a car,it was on a 1936 Hillman Minx, it was difficult but I managed it in the end, just strong glue on the seals where it opened and riveted aluminium strips around the sides, it looked very good in the end.
They had a Canadian assembly plant in East end Toronto. They were popular cars. There was a truck version too. Part of the plant is incorporated into a shopping complex.
What shopping complex are you referring to? Bill Durant and Sam McLaughlin were friends, and were founding members of both GM and GM of Canada.Mr Durant was President of GM, and I believe Mr Mclaughlin was a VP of GM and President of GM Canada. I don’t know if they worked together at Durant Motors, because Mr. Mclaughlin was still at GM until he was 95. I’m curious as to where the Durant plant was in east Toronto.
The former Durant building is on Laird Drive in Leaside.
Thanks RoKo.
the plant was on the left side of laird drive south of eglington ave canada wire and cable had the building after durant went broke! my dad sold durant cars as well as whippit cars, and star, he sold brisco cars too and out of his garage business he sold deforest-chrosley radios and rodgers- majestic fridges he also built buck rakes for farmers to haul in hay
Definitely deserves to be restored. I agree on the price though. Little more money and you can get a running/driving one.
I’d like to own it and restore it but,…not particularly fond of going deeper into my pockets than a car would be worth in the process. Only way I’ve ever done that was when a particular car held a sentimental value to me.
There was a restored Durant for sale a couple years ago for under $15k, and the guy had a hard time to find a buyer. Nobody is looking for a Durant, the only buyer you’ll find is someone stumble upon it and fall in love with it.
I really like it,and If I was 25 years younger,I would
love to restore it, Maybe it would be worth more
as a mild street rod…*cringe*..?.?,a lot of vehicles are
worth more customized/updated than stock…?
These great names/companys from long ago should
really be worth a lot more,and much more collectable..,
I sure hope this gets the love it deserves…I luv it…really cool..!!
It’s a sad state of affairs, but the days when there was a lot of interest in taking a 20’s car in this state and doing a full restore are waning. It’s a sure way to lose money. And it’s twice the problem with the “orphans”. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see every one of them redone.
I had a ‘26 Star two door coupe. Went away to college and my mom sold it for $500! Said it was an eyesore. Ran, and had spare Continental Red-Seal motor.
Breaks my heart man. I have a ‘25 Star 2-door coach (or sedan depending on who you ask) I wouldn’t sell it if someone offered a million dollars for it.
WOW. Have not seen a Star Car for years. Their use to be a Star car grave yard in Philipsiburg, PA. (That was around 1969 when I was restoring my 37 Packard). Never went back. I would love this car, but asking price is high. Roof’s are easy. My 37 was same way. Believe it or not, got supplies to restore roof from J.C. Whitney.
What a wonderfull old gem . I would love to have it.
Can’t tell much from the pictures. I emailed the ad as I’m near the car in Pennsylvania on a trip. The letter E in the serial number designates it was built in Elizabeth, N.J. From the size of the hood it does not seem to be a 6 cylinder car. They all had Continental engines, 4 and 6 cylinder Gold Seal series. I will pass on any further info I get if the owner responds to my email. I know a little about these cars as I have a 1928 Durant model M-2 which is almost identical. Mine runs and drives and is the same color called Persian Blue. There is an active Club, check it out it’s called DMAC, Durant motors automobile club, they are great folks and parts are available for some cars you can see mine pictured under 1928 M2s. Many were built also in Canada at Leaside. Many were also exported to South America and Australia called a “Rugby” more to follow hopefully if anyone is interested in this marque contact me and I can direct you. I also have a collection of original sales literature and an original two sided dealer sign.
I just bought this 1927 Star Model “M” (4-cyl.) Sport Touring off Craigslist out of upstate NY, and am awaiting delivery to the Philad. area late this month. VG cond. Been sitting inside on a homemade trailer since about 1992. Would be interested in your literature and any avail. manuals. Thanks!
Robert, contact me at my email: durant28@yahoo.com. I’ll then give you my phone number.
Calling this car a “Durant” is like calling a Chevrolet an Oldsmobile. Billy Durant structured Durant Motors just like he did GM, when he was with them, … assembling a series of makes from low priced to high. The Star was the company’s low price line, with Flint, Durant, and Locomobile as the ladder steps to the top. The Continental engine makes this car an easy one to rebuild and maintain, without being yet another Model A owner. Neat car. I hope someone preserves it in nice, but unrestored condition.
OMG…I KNOW THIS CAR. In 1968-1969 I was in high school and worked for a veterinarian in Forty-Fort, PA (across the river from Wilkes-Barre) and he collected odd things and this car was in the basement- looks like it still is. I always remembered it because it was an odd name, and in the 1990’s we got into carriage driving and acquired a Durant-Dort sporting phaeton carriage. William Crapo Durant and Josiah Dallas Dort in Flint Michigan built 2 and four wheel carriages (their carriage factory is a registered landmark now). They made a lot of money in carriages and Durant went on to acquire Oldsmobile, Chevrolet and Buick and formed General Motors. He was later ousted from the company and he then formed Durant Motor Company. It was interesting that I would have two connections to Durant, owning one of his carriages and knowing where a Durant Star was located. In the late 1990 I was back in the area and stopped by at the animal hospital to show the vet pictures of the carriages that were the precursors to the Star he had in the basement. He was always a strange person, and 30 years after I worked for him while in high school, he was even stranger. I asked if I could go see the car in the basement to get some pictures of it, but he declined to let me. I’m pretty sure these pictures show it’s still in the basement. He died about 12-18 months ago so whoever owns the building now probably wants to clean out the basement. Now…(you can thank me later…) if you are thinking about buying this, the car was in the basement during the Agnes flood of 1972 so it would have been totally underwater for weeks. Knowing the doctor and from the pictures, I would guess that nothing was done to it after the waters receded nearly 50 years ago, so no telling what kind of moisture damage took place over that time. Attaching a pic of the 1896 Durant-Dort sporting phaeton with our Morgan stallion.
Great story Jon, thanks, Mike.
Cool story Jon. I tried to contact the seller about more pictures and the cowl I.D. tag which would show a lot. He responded saying that before he would make the effort of more info and sending pictures he wanted to be assured I was interested in the car at $5000. I told him my interest was in the proper identification of said car and passing on pertinent information to potential buyers on the BF site………If the car was indeed under water for an extended period of time the wood frame structure of the body would be jeopardized and countless parts would be in need of replacement. On close inspection of the photos water damage is possible but interior pictures would tell more. I will pass on any further info I receive.
I spoke with him as well, he is with the company hired to liquidate the estate, so he is not familiar with restoration or collecting. He mentioned there is also a carriage in the basement, so he is going to send me more pictures of the car and carriage. Would be happy to share any additional car pictures with the group, or carriage if anyone is interested in those as well. This is indeed the car I knew when I worked at the vet clinic, funny how it comes around nearly 50 years later. In our conversation, he said there is also a 1967 Mustang in the basement and an International Scout. I actually drove the International to the airport to pick up puppies, how weird is that? I’m having flashbacks here!
Thanks again Jon. By researching I found original ads for the car from last year that showed more and better pictures. It is indeed a six cylinder. Car looks worse, and in the other pictures I believe you can see the water stains on the cement block wall. Yikes. Wood framing looks to be shot.
Ok, got some more pictures of the Durant Star to share with the group.
Hmmm, uploaded these twice and still don’t see the additional pictures. Will try it again.
Another-
Guess you can’t post more than one at a time….
Plate- tried to enhance this photo a little for more clarity.
And another…
And another- The top.
back Seat…
Front Seat…
Last One. Enjoy. If someone does take this one, would love to see the finished product some day. This brings back a lot of memories.
I’m presently performing a 100% restoration on a 1924 Star Touring. This sedan should cost around 40,000 to properly restore. If you’re looking for something to make money on,,,,, go buy a Model T!
Great photos Jon. Thanks. Mike.
Thanks Mike- I hope someone gives this a home. It’s a sliver of unusual automotive history that should be preserved. It’s one of the few carriage makers that transitioned into horseless carriages (Durant-Dort, Studebaker, John Deere). Had the depression not killed of a number of car manufacturers, we might be driving some of these pioneers in automotive history.