Lance ... for your thoughts. Reading the piece in the Ottawa Citizen July 3 by Bill Vance on Mercier's he comments the Mercier was bought by a Wall Street syndicate after 1918 and Emlen Hares a former Packard VP was put in charge of the Co. Name was changed to Hare's Motor's. He set about acquiring Locomobile Co of America and Simplex Auto Co to add to Mercier. The combination of these acquisions and recession took their toll on Hare's Motors and the end came 1925.
I thought Loco was bought by Billy 1922 and production continued to 1929.
Bill Vance got his wires crossed or leaving out part of the story ? Both my own source and Terry's site says Billy got Loco 1922 and continued to 1929.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1932 614 sedan

Norm,
You are quite right, Locomobile was in trouble in Dec 1919, control was bought by and then became part of the Hare's Motors (group) with Mercer and Simplex in 1920. In 1921 Loco was independent but bust again, and Hare's Mtrs folded in Aug 1921. Billy talked badly about Loco in the press, but then he was the only (?) bidder in the bankruptcy takeover and in July 1922 scooped it up for cheap!!

The rest of the old Hare's group limped on; Mercer production finally stopped in 1925, revived again, but no real production after, then closed permanently in Nov 1929. Simplex was rebought but production actually ended in late 1919. Billy built Locomobile up to a high production mark of 2586 listed units in 1925 (from 221 units in 1922, 116 in 1923), but then slumped and ceased production in March 1929 (poss 329 or less? units).

Check out the Loco "L" Radiator cap on E-bay right now (280379407763) correct for a 1927 8-70, or 1928 8-80 model, but Also fits a 1925/ 26 JR-8 model. A bit pricey at $504 with an Hour left to go!! Final price was $820 plus S&H; OUCH!

Hoping to get back into the car-stuff after several months absence! Lance C.

Where Are You From? Niceville Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? 30 Durant, 25 Loco JR-8 Brougham,26 Loco JR-8 sedan, 26 JR-8 Roadster

Hi Lance .. Almost looks like the British pound sign. Of course you got the winning bid at $820 US ha ha.

I usually don't read Bill Vance or Bill Sherks car write ups as info isn't always correct or factual. General public would have no idea and makes for interesting reading. Its the few of us that catch the errors that own or know, that car history. It was Loco that caught my eye and I thought that's not right or he's left out a chunk of the story. Left you thinking Loco was still part of Hare's and vanished 1925 with the rest of it. Pity Vance didn't comment about Billy (the only bidder) getting Loco in 1922 and continuing it to 1929.

Sherk was to see me about Dorothy but never showed up. He later said he would send me a pile of info about the 1932 614 but I got some info on the 618 and zip 614. At that it was copied pages from a book from the 60's on Canadian Cars by a now deceased member of the Montreal Club we were associated with, until breaking away and forming our own club 1965. I knew the authors name from back then, being a member. It was mainly assumption info in the book, not factual, and of course we didn't have the resources in the 60's, we have now to dig into it. Goodness we knew nothing about Durant Motors or why a VIN showed Dominion Motors, on a Durant. We had the car but history of the non existant Co('s) and where to ask ?? Steve can attest to that with his digging through the Toronto Star online and finding all sorts new and correcting info on our Canadian Durant / Dominion Motors.

Even today with our resources and DMAC we are constantly finding new info and unknown car models. One wonders if there is final chapter to these cars.

Still not sure when we are going back up to the trailor park again, until Oct. Hopefully next week. I knew they were strapped for help and spent all day Wed cutting grass there from 7:45 am to 5 pm none stop. Normally takes me two full days on the riding mower to get it all done. 1st few hrs you could have had a shower from the mist out the side of the mower ,after the storm from Tuesday. With all our rain this year we can't wait for a sunny dry day, it don't happen. Grass grows too fast and normally by now has stopped and brown from heat. Not this year.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ont

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1932 614 sedan

Norm,
No I got out of the bidding for that Loco Rad Cap on E-bay (280379407763)earlier. It was much too rich for me, especially for a Fair-Cond part that needed work! My work buddy urged me to buy it and then cast copies for others?

But I don't think the half-dozen or so I would sell, would cover $$$$ costs. Another prospective Locomobile club-member has one in Iowa that maybe we might copy for the club to sell? That's an idea for all of our RARE parts. The Franklin club does that for many of their Needed parts, to share for all, at cost-plus to club members!

Glad to see that you are keeping the grass under control up there, STAY dry my friend!!

Lance C.

Where Are You From? Niceville Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? 30 Durant, 25 Loco JR-8 Brougham,26 Loco JR-8 sedan, 26 JR-8 Roadster