Hello all,
Looking at one that came out of Canada. Can't find a data plate and only number seller has is W5517030. Does not seem to match the chart.

Interior wood and fabric is in bad shape. Are patterns available?
Thanks!
Photos here:

https://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/5611353283.html

Creighton

Where Are You From? Washington

Do You own a car built by Durant? Not yet

Creighton, you have a 1928 or '29 Durant D40. Wood patterns or kits are not available so you will have to copy the various pieces from somebody with the same car. Upholstery can be redone using the same techniques as days of old. Rewooding any old car requires a large degree of skills not to mention the proper woodworking tools.
The data plate should be on the right upper firewall attached by 4 rivets.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, TX

Do You own a car built by Durant? Several

Interesting Don. Engine serial seems to put it as an M2 with 517030 looking at Registry cars M4 around 52 -540,000 and 40 seems to be 560,000. Crest is 1928 but headlights have the 40 / 60 plain lense.
Can't see a vin plate on the firewall even enlarging the picture but there does seem something white edged The cowl welting is covering part of that area.

I was hoping that engine serial might have been in Terry's or Steve's to tell us what its vin and model was. Guess this is yet another unknown car.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

The steering wheel with aluminum spokes I believe makes it an M-2...The M-4 and D-40 has a bakalite spider and different spark/throttle controls....Black dash guages would make it either an M-2 or an M-4, the D-40 were white.

Where Are You From? Leavenworth, WA / Yuma, AZ

Do You own a car built by Durant? yes

So its looking April 1st to Sept 4 1928 M2, production wise or a 1928 April 1 to July 31 1928 Model year or perhaps a 1929 Model year Aug 1 to Sept 4 1928.

Nice to have the vin to pin it down better and plant to see what side of the border it was made on.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

Wow! Thanks all for the help.
Thought that should be where the VIN plate was located. If it was ever there removed long ago. Paint color same. No rust from the rivets etc...

Needs the water pump assembly from the generator back. Findable?

Not a problem replacing the wood and fabric just hoped to save some time. Understand the words of caution though. Mistakes get spendy fast.

Go Mon. to see about getting a new title issued. Will advise.

One more, what is a safe top speed given all parts are in working order? Reason asking is not much for shows in Spokane and would want to go to Portland, etc...

Creighton

Where Are You From? Washington

Do You own a car built by Durant? Not yet

Any Star or Durant W5 pump will work. Contact Phil Peters for rebuild parts.

Where Are You From? Texarkana, TX

Do You own a car built by Durant? Several

Just asking as not sure what the plate actually says. Isn't there an engine plate drivers side of the W5 that says Durant made for Durant Motors of Canada or Durant Motors of xxxx

This is what I mean and of course I use Dominion Motors plate off a 32A on the 1932 633 Durant.

Creighton .. just for your info, we continued the Durant in Canada 1931 / 32 under Dominion Motors an all Canadian owned and operated Co. Only US plant left 1931 was Lansing which stopped Aug 1931. Our Frontenac is sort of a continuation of the US 619 Durant and was billed here as the 1931 1/2 619 in ads. We didn't make 619's but we did sell them. My take on that is at Lansing's closing unsold 619's got shipped to Leaside to get rid of them. Kind of makes sense as the 619 ad here announcing the 619 was Aug 24 1931.




If the engine plate is still there it will identify the plant. Next thought is buy a vin plate off Frank for $20 that matches that plant and stamp M2 where it shows Model. Then ask Steve to provide a vin for an M2 that is not in the Registry. Stamp that vin on the plate. T for Leaside, E for Elizabeth, C for Oakland. Not sure if Lancing issued M2's as vin books say E, C, or T and we have C, E, and T in the Registry. Then use this info to register / title the car. One could assume the ownership papers got lost if the vin wasn't even on the auction papers in 1972, but you didn't hear / read this from me .. if you catch my drift.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

No ID. plates at all. Not sure where the W55xx... is. Engine block I assume. Yep get your drift, wink and a nod :-). WA. is better than most on these problems. Fingers crossed. Thanks on the carb. Top speed?

Very glad for the quick help on questions I'm sure you guys have typed answers a thousand times.
Creighton

Where Are You From? Washington

Do You own a car built by Durant? Not yet

Creighton,

Just to let you know, I was not able to obtain a Washington title from a Canadian paper trail on the M-2 that I just finished restoring, we even made a trip to Olympia with bill of sale in hand and no luck....I did however get a new Washington title in a fairly timely manor by going another route....Let us know how you make out Monday at the DOL.

Speed: The W-5 engine doesn't have a great deal of power so about 35 to 40 mph is a good average speed, any faster and then 45 and I am getting uncomfortable, it also depends on the road that you are driving, hills you might be in second gear and down to 10 or 15 mph.

Car Shows: There is usually 2 or 3 car shows here in Wenatchee, but not too many oldies..All you need to do is to go to one car show and you will get flyers from every car show in the area that are promoting their show...I think that If wanted, you could do a car show every weekend all summer long.

Where Are You From? Leavenworth, WA / Yuma, AZ

Do You own a car built by Durant? yes

there are a few shows here in Spokane and have been to a couple. the model T club really wants these at there shows as well. shows at millwood park and elsewere from time to time. plus in outlying areas. most time cant make it because of work. have driven mine from the valley to felts field for shows but not much further than that. I only take mine up to around 30 I think. steerings a little loose after that. always take the scenic route to go slow. also pick up an inland northwest car club counsel calendar or go to inccc website for cruise nights.

Where Are You From? spokane wa

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1926 star model m touring

Thanks!

Will advise on the results of DOL visit.

Same problem out of town for most of the Spokane shows. The ones have made it to seem to have a few very nice 20's/30's. Is the Felt Field event same as the vintage plane fly-in or another show?

Creighton

Where Are You From? Spokane Valley, WA.

Do You own a car built by Durant? Not yet

the only reason I took the star to felts was breakfast with the family. however I think at the fly in there is cars also. but at zips on fancher and timbercreek on Argonne is a show from time to time. I think napa has the INCCC calendars for the local shows.

Where Are You From? spokane wa

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1926 star model m touring

My car is a 1929 M4 (Elizabeth). It is as you say. Also it has a grid in front of the radiator and the hood sides have a gap in the middle of the louvres. Mine also has opposite colors in the ornament. And mine has a screw-on radiator cap with fine threads.

This car is still in it's correct factory colors for a 1929 Four Door. (It could have had contrasting colors on the moldings, etc.) I'm
afraid mine has been repainted with incorrect colors. However, it still has the original cloth interior.

The engine on this one has round frost plugs. Mine does too. Other engines I have use rectangular plates to cover the core holes.

I have several bodies, and I know one came from Winnipeg, but I don't remember if the tag is still there.

Where Are You From? MN

Do You own a car built by Durant? Yes

Appears someone removed the grill it should have on the rad shell. The 1929 63, 66, 70 have a different shell with or without the shutters as indicated in photos and aftermarkets.

Another design change the 55 and M2 with full louvers and M4, 40, 60 with gap in the louvers, same idea as the 407.

Dennis McBride of Ont in DMAC photos with a Leaside 1928 M2 coach has same design bumpers as the rear of this car. He also has the fluted reflectors so plain glass lense.

Could be other differences to indicate Can or US such as Robertson screws invented 1908 and used on our cars, US the slotted screws.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

Thanks all! Agree the grill may have been replaced. Fit was ok at the top but looked off at the bottom. Back story on this car is long gone. Suspect it has had a storied past.

Bit too many issues for me to deal with. Seller wants it gone but if someone on the board has a use could always store it here for awhile. I won't part it out. Hanging offense in my book :-)

Creighton

Where Are You From? Spokane Valley, WA.

Do You own a car built by Durant? No

saw the add for it and there is a lot of work to be done on that one. hope it finds a home though. well you could always buy the 1930 Durant 614 for 20,000 listed.

Where Are You From? spokane wa

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1926 star model m touring

That the kijiji 614 formerly owned by the late DMACer Gord Taylor who passed summer of 2009 ? Been on kijiji a few times since Gord's death by the purchaser in 2010. 5 bolt wire wheels on the ground and 6 bolt side mounts. Water stains in the back. Club members estimated perhaps $10,000 at best back then when asked for a value for sale, by the sister in law.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/city-of-halifax/rare-durant-614-deluxe/1122525688

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

That's not a 63-66-70 radiator shell...... It's a 28-9 that has had the bars cut off.

Dave

Where Are You From? Iowa

Do You own a car built by Durant? Yes

The car appears to be either an 1928 M2 or M4.
Too bad someone cut the bats off, those were a good looking feature of the grill.

By engine serial plus the hood not having the flat center in the louvers its an M2. Bill has given other reasons its an M2.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

Car is now on eBay for parts. 191893692626

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

Interesting, Sent three emails about the car, Letting him know of the discussion here... No response but must have read them seeing how it is now a 1928 M2.

Thanks all for the help and offer stands. Want it and need a place to store in Spokane until pick-up. Let me know.

Creighton

Where Are You From? Spokane Valley, WA.

Do You own a car built by Durant? No

This car is a 1928 "Durant" M-2....There is also a 1928 "Durant Star" M-2....The only differences between the two is that the engine on the "Durant" M-2 has two round soft plugs on the right side of the engine block and the "Durant Star" has two plates fastened with 6 studs to expose the cooling cavity, also the W-5 engine ID plate on the lower left front will say "Durant Star" rather than just "Durant"...

If anyone is interested in making a restoration project with this Durant, I have a few bits and pieces I could donate for the cause including a radiator shell.

Where Are You From? Leavenworth, WA / Yuma, AZ

Do You own a car built by Durant? yes

Very kind of you Bill. Forgot to add I'm the bidder.
Creighton

Where Are You From? Spokane Valley, WA.

Do You own a car built by Durant? No

Outbid. Gonna let it go. Hope to a good home. Thanks all !!
Creighton

Where Are You From? Spokane Valley, WA.

Do You own a car built by Durant? No

Bill .. did they go back and forth on the frost plugs ? This appears to be a W4 in a home made racing car, with what seems to be a F rad shell shape. I note the distributor has a very wide cap. Car has no title, vin or engine plate. Phil is trying to id it as lad is looking for cap and rotor to get it running.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

On the core plugs vs. plates, my observation agrees with Bill Hoaglan.

The distributer could be adapted from something else, such as VW Beetle
or a Wisconsin V4.

Where Are You From? MN

Do You own a car built by Durant? Yes

Sold at $1825. Hope someone here got it!
Creighton

Where Are You From? Spokane Valley, WA.

Do You own a car built by Durant? No

Finally answered the question and the green engine pictured with round plugs is a W4 but checking further the W5 in a 1927 M also had round plugs. The six bolt plate must be a short lived W5.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan

Norm.....There seams to be plenty of confusion on how the Star line progressed until it was phased out in April of '28....If you go into Photographs and look at the 1928 Durant M-2 "Texas Museum" This M-2 has a "Star ID plate" and has the two 6 stud plates on Right side of block...This car would have been produced before April of '28, after April of '28 the M-2 would have became the Durant M-2 and the W-5 engine would have had the two round soft plugs like you have pictured on the W-4 above...(I think)

Some history from Durantcars: "In January 1928, Durant announced a new strategy of selling six-cylinder cars under the Durant name and four-cylinder cars under the Star name. So the Star model R was rebadged as a Durant model 55. Production of four-cylinder Star vehicles continued in 1928. Here the history gets a little muddy. In 1928 there are three models of four-cylinder cars attributed to Star, the model M, model M2 and the "Four".

In April of 1928 production of all Star cars ceased and the four-cylinder Star car was rebadged the Durant model M2"...

The M-2 that I am restoring was manufactured in Canada, The engine brass data plate has a "Star emblem" with wording Durant Motors Ltd Toronto Ontario(it does not say Star), It does have the two block side plates....When I got this car it was a mixed bag or parts, M-2, M-4, D-40 with a mix of both Coupe and Sedan body parts ...The VIN plate was from a D-40...What was interesting is that one of the previous owner had pieced this Coupe together, he had sedan doors which are 5 1/2" shorter than Coupe doors then he had to add an additional 5 1/2" to the rear coupe quarters so rear wheels were centered properly in the wheel wells, he then used the back of a sedan for the coupe back that extended through the turtle to the floor and then made an attempt at manufacturing a trunk deck to fit....Gord stopped by and helped me figure out what I had....Luckly I later found an M-4 parts car with a good restorable coupe body.

Rick....What is your thoughts on moving the photo of the 1928 M-2 Texas Museum car from the Durant Photos and move it to the Star Photos? I think it would really help in identifying the M-2 Star.

Where Are You From? Leavenworth, WA / Yuma, AZ

Do You own a car built by Durant? yes

Yes Billy did that as we see in the new Registry and it wasn't the first time to say Star 4 or Durant 6, which seems to confuse people. However using vin books there was no Star 4 model, just C, F, M, M2. Look in durantcars under Star lit and Terry has a 1926 "Star 4". I saw same thing in newspaper ads pre 1928 where the Star was just called the Star 4. Look under Durant lit 1928 and Terry has "Durant 4", 1929 he has three brochures saying "Durant 4".

Billy continued the nonsense by changing the trucks to Rugby in April 1928 except the M2 Durant which wasn't changed until the spilt to M4 Durant car and S4 Rugby truck.

All the way through this empire nothing was straight forward and vehicles came from the plants with current or past parts. They just kept using up old parts to shove vehicles out the door. Its that old saying about no two cars the same, should have been the motto. Then add Leaside had its parts supplier so we did our own thing like Robertson screws and other things we have been told our cars are not correct. One small thing is the beehive taillight was used 65 and 1931 in the US but we used it on a few pre 30 models and all Durant / Rugby 1930 - 32 and Frontenac 31 / 32. We've been told rear wire mount spare was incorrect and should be side mount. Not here the 31 614 here is rear mount as is my 32 and we destroyed a 30 614 in the 60's for parts with rear mount.

Not surprised the car has a Star emblem only on your M2. We ran into a 32A engine that has Durant named engine plate in a Frontenac. They must have just grabbed engines assembling vehicles and stuck them in frame not paying attention if it should have Durant or Frontenac on the plates. Again with the using up of parts, my 32 is the newest of the 614's so you would assume the engine serial would be higher than the others. In fact its the reverse with serials higher on the older cars. Must be the way they stacked engines at the plant they got used in reverse order ??

Yes that M2 Star is in the wrong place in photo's and should be in the Star photos.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? Dominion built 1932 614 Sedan