Mike, I'm reminded of that 1927 Star the lad was looking for info on. Rad shell / crest was Star, nothing else was. Steering wheel and column was 1915 Ford T. Front axle was Ford T but cut where perches are and welded so semi springs could be bolted in the axle. Front wheels were Ford T clincher, rear wheels no one could determine what they were, green touring body off some 1910 - 12 car, bale handled brass headlights even earlier, brass taillight same idea. Engine some German industrial one around 1920. He was unhappy it wasn't a real car but enjoyed it for what it was chugging where he lived and people waving as he passed.
One thing in favor of this one is being in a film and still around to be played with and enjoyed.
Where Are You From? Ottawa Ontario Canada
Do You own a car built by Durant? 1932 614 sedan made by Dominion Motors
In those days people had to make do with whatever they had to work with. It was relatively easy and resulted with a lot of unique vehicles. I don't think it could be done with the cars made today!
Didn't realize it was that long ago (Dec 3 2010 Rugby 1920 since located in Cyprus in forum) and haven't a pic of front of the car. Engine was Fivet motor reading the string of postings ... Grin Don you said back then ... After poking around the internet for the last couple of days I have come to the conclusion that Fivet Engine Company was completely destroyed in WWI and no indication they ever resumed production afterwards. This info dates the engine to pre 1915 of so.
With this and Norm's findings, I think this is an "assembled car" in the truest sense.
Here's two from Photobucket showing back and steering.
Harris the owner of the vehicle said ... Acetylene lamps made by French Besnard are very ok, bezels are nicely hinged and glass is very clear to see in the photos, originally were fitted with a thick lenses to amplify the light, I have one but I was not able to trace a second to much the original. Tail oil lamp, is English made in 1904.
Yes Don .. like the Bennett Buggy's Canada or Hoover Buggy's USA. ha ha. Neat thing back then is most parts fit other cars. My bro wanted a cart like thing to move bedding plants on behind his tractor at his nursery. I found a 1929 Chevy frame with front axle / wheels in a gravel pit, so brought axle / springs home. Ford A drums / bearings fit exactly on the Chevy spindles. So cart was Chevy axle / springs and Ford A 21 inch wires for wheels, he built the metal deck / frame. Had that for years. The 1916 490 Chevy pre GM and Ford T had clincher non demountable wheels made by same wheel co. Wheels / bearings fit both makes. Now deceased fellow restored a 1916 490 and I found 4 T wheels in a barn he kept as spares.
Where Are You From? Ottawa Ontario Canada
Do You own a car built by Durant? 1932 614 sedan made by Dominion Motors
True it's not strictly original, but when you are thousands of miles away from the nearest Durant spare parts shop, that's only expected. The majority of surviving vintage cars here are Ford Model As and frankly I find the Durant vastly more interesting, most car enthusiasts don't even know this marque existed!
No attempt will be made to bring it back to original, it is what it is and that's the result of this particular car's history.
Regarding the front wheel with a very short valve stem, no you cannot put air in it! Nobody mentioned it, but the rear tyres are oversize 600-19 and the spare is a tractor front tyre. All 5 will be replaced by the correct 475/500-19, I only need to order long valve stem tubes. I managed to source and acquire on eBay the split rim collapsing tool so changing tyres should be OK. I guess I am 1 of not many people in Kenya who know how to do this!