Description
William C Durant, founder of the General Motors Company, founded Durant Motors in 1921.
Durant Motors produced cars under the name Durant, Star, Flint and Rugby. The ’Star’ Model C was the most popular motor, being a light and inexpensive competitor to the Model T Ford. The Star, however, was somewhat more refined than the Ford, having a normal 'crash' gearbox, conventional controls and brakes operating on drums on the rear axle.
This car, the Star Model C5 is a four door, four seat tourer.
The 2500cc, 4 cyl., Continental engine develops 36 BHP at 2400 RPM. It has water pump assisted cooling and coil ignition system fitted as standard.
The foot brake has external contracting bands operating on the outside of the rear brake drums. The hand brake has internal expanding shoes operating on the inside of the brake drums. They work as designed but of course the technology is over 100 years old.
I bought the car from Classic & Sportscar Centre in 2019. They have since re-lined the brakes and carried out repairs to the rear axle.
The engine has recently been ‘de-coked’, four exhaust valves replaced, manifold gasket replaced and of course all valve grinding and tappet adjustments were carried out. The engine is very lively, pulls well and runs at an oil pressure of 20psi when hot. It ticks over at about 10psi when hot. The car has been fitted with an additional 12 volt battery which operates on the starter only. It is not charged by the cars charging system. This has never caused a problem and just needs to be externally charged very occasionally.
The gearbox has three speeds and reverse. It is a separate unit and therefore easy to remove. It is easy to use and along with the rear axle is quiet in operation. The flywheel and clutch assembly is exposed making replacements or adjustments very simple.
The Autovac has recently been serviced, with seals and fuel tap replaced and a fuel filter fitted. The carburettor float and fuel valve were also replaced.
A new 6 volt battery was fitted in 2024. The 6 volt charging system is working normally.
The bodywork is sound and the paint finish remains in 'show' condition.
The varnished hickory, wooden wheels are in great condition. The spokes and felloes are tight. The wheels have detachable rims, all of which have been replaced. All tyres, including spare, are in good condition.
Front and rear seats have all been re-upholstered and are in good condition.
The car comes with separate front and rear tonneau covers which appear to be in new condition. The side screens are in good condition and have been used. I have never had occasion to use any of these items as I do not take the car out in the rain. I cannot figure out how the hood folds down and am no longer strong enough to do it alone, so it stays up. Anyway I prefer it that way anyway.
Included in the sale is a huge history file containing receipts for thousands of pounds spent since 2011, original handbook/ repair manual, various other hand books and old correspondence. A part made wheel puller with hub threads already cut, a used but serviceable head gasket, some serviceable valves, a new ignition coil, new ignition contacts, a set of new plugs, a wheel rim, a new Firestone 30 x 3½ tyre and anything else that comes to light.
The history file also has a CD containing fifty photographs of work carried out during restoration by The Classic Car Workshop Ltd., up to 24/ 11/ 2011. They also constructed a luggage carrier and box, possibly in preparation for the ensuing holiday in France.
I have since removed this as it was not to my taste.
The Covid pandemic and my own health and hospitalisation from time to time have resulted in the car being relatively little used during my ownership. I estimate the car to have covered less than 1000 miles since I purchased it. I still potter about to the doctor, the hairdresser, the supermarket and the occasional classic car show but now, regrettably, I must part with my lovely Star as my age and health are affecting my driving ability.
The car is a real 'head turner' and both I and the previous owner have received awards in shows we have attended. At show a while ago I was awarded ‘Best in Show’ and at a local event and just last week (14/ 9/ 2024) the car was awarded ‘Best in Class’.
All photographs have been taken in September 2024, so the car is in exactly the condition shown. William C Durant (fonder of the General Motors Company) started a car manufacturing company in his own name in 1921. The ‘Star Model C5’ was the most popular vehicle and was aimed as a competitor to the Model T Ford.
The Star was constructed with bought in components from other manufacturers, for instance the tried and tested engine was made by ‘Continental’. However, its base price was $348 and whilst it was a more technically advanced vehicle than the Ford T, it did not quite match the price affordability of the Ford T.
This car was imported from the USA in 1992 and is believed to have been used in Tennessee, Virginia and Kansas. The car was imported to North Wales where apparently the car was extensively refurbished. Some details can be found in the history file. Nothing is known about what happened afterwards until the car eventually came into the ownership of the Classic and Sportscar Centre. They sub-sequentially sold it on to the previous owner to me in approximately 2011. That owner spent thousands of pounds on a full restoration as can be seen in the huge history file. He enjoyed he car for some years and even took it on holiday touring France.
In, or around 2019 the car came back into the ownership of the Classic and Sportscar Company. It is difficult to say with certainty what work they performed before offering it for sale again but I should think they did any mechanical issues it may have had. The paint finish was so good it makes me believe they may have also re-spayed the whole car. This is my own opinion and I have no proof of any work they may have carried out.
Further history can be found on the following link.
- details above
It was this advertisement that first attracted me to the car.
