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Re: The Cars that Made America

I was a bit disappointed with the second half and, like Gord pointed out, they had Durant broke and belly up just after he left GM. Still seems centered on Ford. I didn't finish this episode but I may watch tomorrow for the third edition unless I have something better to do,,,,,,, like taking a nap,,,,,,,,,,

Where Are You From? Texarkana, TX

Do You own a car built by Durant? Several

Re: The Cars that Made America

Well haven't finished episode 2 yet, but very disappointed with it. Like you all have said, many things were brushed over and some inaccuracies for sure. Didn't mention Billy raising 6 million after leaving GM in about 24 hours to start his own car company, and the "industry historian" who is obviously not a Durant fan, brushed over 26 years of what happened to Durant. In a quick statement he said he declared personal bankruptcy and died a poor man. It also didn't mention that Sloan who was not an enemy but a friend to Durant saw that Durant got a 2,500 a month pension from GM until his death. The quality of casting and things have gone down in many programs. I occasionally watch the Mysteries at the Museum show and it drives me crazy that it looks like some high school clothing designers dress the actors in very inaccurate cloths and uniforms. You have WWII uniforms on WW1 soldiers, Police uniforms are all over the place. I guess they think the public just doesn't care. Another thing in the movie is that it showed a lot of cigarette smoking. The likes of Billy, and others wouldn't be caught dead smoking cigarettes. Gentleman smoked cigars in that time. I guess I'm just going to have to look at the cars and enjoy them.

Where Are You From? Oviedo, Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1928 Durant Model 65 4 door sedan from Elizabeth, NJ Plant

Re: The Cars that Made America

I guess they wanted to show how Durant got things going with the early auto industry,then not too interested on his "also ran" efforts after that. I think of Durant as like a Warren Buffett type. The scene where they showed him barely looking up from his ticker tape while Chrysler was talking to him showed how he was really focused on the casino (stock market) above all else.They are showing how badly Ford treated Edsel(which probably killed him), and how he was a "pacifist" prior to WWII or(anti-Semitic Nazi sympathizer).But Ford's attempt at union busting was the big auto related part of this section of the story. Ross

Where Are You From? Orygun

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1930 6-14

Re: The Cars that Made America

Like many others, I am very disappointed in this series. They really brushed Durant's accomplishments under the rug and made no mention of any of the Durant cars after he left GM. To me, what he accomplished after leaving GM was some of his most important work. And to say he dies a broken, and broke, man is to do him a dis-service.
Gene

Where Are You From? NE TN Mountains

Do You own a car built by Durant? Yes, a couple of them!

Re: The Cars that Made America

When I was contacted earlier this year by the archivist of the television production company I had high hopes for us finally getting some proper recognition for Billy Durant and Durant Motors. I sent them some pictures we had in the museum collection, provided some information and turned them on to Bob Smith our historian to pick his brains on Durant and Durant Motors. Well it doesn't seem that they used any of it and as I stated before, failed miserably in their portrayal of Durant. That's why I am 150% behind our museum effort so that we can highlight Durant and his history as well as the cars of Durant motors. He truly needs the proper recognition.

Where Are You From? Oviedo, Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1928 Durant Model 65 4 door sedan from Elizabeth, NJ Plant

Re: The Cars that Made America

Mike Where are we on the museum effort?

Where Are You From? Tucson

Do You own a car built by Durant? 3

Re: The Cars that Made America

Hi Bob;
Our Vice President Don has completed his interviews with the other individuals who were instrumental in establishing the Partner museums at Gilmore, I've finished the 1st draft of the DMAC by-laws revision that includes the museum and other structural changes to bring us more up to date for any foundation creation to run the museum. I have some more changes to do and then submit it to the BOD for their review. Once they approve, it gets published and then after 30 days it can be posted as our new by-laws. I am rather disappointed in membership donations to be honest and have had dribbles come in as far as donations, $5.00 here, $10.00 there, with the exception of a very generous donation at the first of the year of $5,000 from some great members for our museum. Major Donor is still with us and pledges his part. We're still moving, slowly but moving.

Where Are You From? Oviedo, Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1928 Durant Model 65 4 door sedan from Elizabeth, NJ Plant

 

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