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Re: Doctor's Coupe

Yes it would be interesting to see and get the info on this one. Billy didn't have a Doc Coupe. Registries only have two A22 businessman's coupes. 1922 N-12933 and 1923 E-6340. Also the sedans were 4 door 1922 and 23. Coach wasn't added until 1924 models.

Perhaps with the vin info on this one we can verify year and pic's give us a better idea what it is.

I agree with Mike it sounds like a coach. With Billys model years and vin's being Aug 1 from one year to July 31 of next year, this could be produced Aug 1 - Dec 31 1923 and registered in 1923 but is 1924 model year.

Not ever seeing a coupe it appears room behind the driver for a bench seat

25-A22-Coupe

25-A22-Business-Mans-Coupe

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ontario Canada

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

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Norm - Do you know what defined a doctor's coupe? Someone (I have forgotten who) once told me that my 1927 Star Six Model R Coupe was used by doctors making house calls. But I do not see any difference in applicability for my car between a doctor or a salesman. Many decades ago I owned a 1926 Star Six coupe which had been originally purchased by a locomotive mechanic for commuting to work.

Where Are You From? Orange, New Jersey 07050

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1927 Star Six Model R Coupe

Re: Doctor's Coupe

As far as I know the only cars I've seen called doctors coupes were Model T Fords, and Ford didn't have such a model. I've seen many cars with flattering names put on them by the public which were not factory models. One example of this is the "Cord convertible coupe" which somehow picked up the name "Sportsman". Curt

Where Are You From? Denver

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1926 Star m 4dr sedan

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Few items on Google search as to that phasing. There is no difference a coupe is a coupe.

Here's one

Actually the term dates back to 1674, when a physician with a penchant for cabinetry sought a cure for smallpox after a local epidemic. The good doctor was anguished by the hundreds of deaths from the pox and set about finding a cure. His hunch was that the antidote would be found in the taking of simple precautions, such as keeping warm and dry. Dr. Koop was convinced that traveling about in open carriages was the major cause of the disease, since the air encountered by travelers allowed them to pass through wooded or swampy areas infected by strange humours that were a detriment to health.

He was a remarkably tall man for his day, and his appearance was made all the more remarkable by his spare frame and high black turban, which he customarily wore to hide his persistently bald scalp (a condition exacerbated by his constant head scratching as he considered and discarded many possibilities as to a cure for the pox). Also of a superstitious turn of minda not uncommon condition among early Sawbones--Dr. Koop was convinced that, once worn, if his turban was ever removed, he would be instantly stricken with amnesia.

One evening, in a inspired vision, he pictured the solution to both problems: an unusually tall and narrow enclosed carriage or coach in which he would be protected from "humours" and also be able to keep his turban in place. He set to work the following morning and soon had built the coach as he had sketched it out. Soon, the unusual carriage became a familiar sight in the countryside as Dr. Koop made his ponderous way around. Since the vehicle proved to be quite top-heavy, the dignified pace at which he drove didn't lend itself well to the succoring of patients in dire medical straits, and the poor doctor was soon forced to leave the area after losing most of the sick, who tended to expire as they waited long for Dr. Koop's arrival. However, he left in remarkably good health, and the surviving remnant of patients deduced that it must have been due to his odd coach. The design was soon copied, and dozens of doctor koops were seen all over the region. Since French culture, at that time, defined high fashion, it was only a short time before an enterprising carriage builder with a taste for elegance as well as business renamed the coach a Doctor's Coupe.


and yet another

A coupe (from the French verb couper, to cut) or coupe is a car body style, the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time. Coupes are often sporty variants of sedan (or saloon see American and British English spelling differences) body styles, reduced from 4 doors to 2, with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or 2+2 seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Before the days of motorized vehicles, the word referred to the front or after compartment of a Continental stagecoach.

A derivitive of the term coupe, "Doctor's Coupe" was conceived by a Marshall Daut of the Model T Ford Club. Marshall was instrumental in researching the term and first coining it referring to his Model T. A search of the Model T archives will show the frustration in bringing this term to light. The Model T world owes him a huge Thank You for his continued effort in researching the term and occasionally reintroducing it's definition.


Where Are You From? Ottawa Ontario Canada

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

Re: Doctor's Coupe

https://ibb.co/album/hXr1bM

Y’all let me know if this doesn’t work. First time trying to post pics on here. Thank you for the information! I’m interested in the feedback from these pics

Where Are You From? Dothan AL

Do You own a car built by Durant? Not yet

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Very nice! And, it's a slightly modified 2 door sedan.

Do You own a car built by Durant? Several

Re: Doctor's Coupe



https://ibb.co/album/hXr1bM

Here is a live link to those pictures.

Where Are You From? Fremont, CA

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1931 Model 619 and 1929 model 60 Roadster

Re: Doctor's Coupe


Very nice car.

Where Are You From? Fremont, CA

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1931 Model 619 and 1929 model 60 Roadster

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Thank you for posting the live link. Would the modifications affect the overall value? If so, what would y’all think would be too much to pay for this? This is my first go at purchasing a classic car and don’t want to overpay

Where Are You From? Dothan AL

Do You own a car built by Durant? Not yet

Re: Doctor's Coupe

This Durant is gorgeous. Question for my Durant experts: Did Billy sell cars painted red?

Where Are You From? Orange, New Jersey 07050

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1927 Star Six Model R Coupe

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Thank you Rick. This car is a Coupe not modified 2 door sedan. It's in both Registry's NE-6340 with engine serial 124600. It was orig green with black fenders, owned by Rev Willard Hurlburt of Union Springs Al.
It's a 1923 Model Year A22 built between Dec 23 1922 to July 31 1923. vins E-1 to E-8462

As you can see in this A22 brochure on eBay it was four or two passenger for professional or business use.

s-l1600

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ontario Canada

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

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Thank you for the info sir! So it is a post production modified model than of the coupe? Also what would value this car at if you don’t mind me asking

Where Are You From? Dothan AL

Do You own a car built by Durant? Not yet

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Hemp
A very nice car and would be a great addition to anyone's collection. Looks like it's in great shape and taken car of. Does it run? Have you driven it? After reviewing the pictures I agree with Norm that it is not modified. It is a coupe. What is he asking for it? As past President along with Rick, you get many emails from people inheriting these Durant products from relatives and always want a value on it. I and others usually posted a response that "It's worth what ever anyone is willing to pay for it". The market for our cars is limited to those that are fascinated and love the 1920's and early 30's. Most people today prefer the era of cars they grew up in. So you have the 50's, 60's and 70's and most of the people prefer the "muscle car" era since that is the age group that is baby boomers are today. The car in all probability a 4 cylinder which limits it's speed on modern highways but that doesn't mean these cars are not a lot of fun to drive and show off. If you take the plunge and purchase this car the first thing you have to do is join the Durant club. It's a great club and more of a family than a car club. There are a number of meets in the U.S. and hopefully Canada again soon. Tours are conducted in these cars and you won't have more fun anywhere than we all do when we get together. The DMAC publishes an excellent magazine quarterly too with a wealth of historical stories, restoration tips and parts for sale.

Where Are You From? Oviedo, Florida

Do You own a car built by Durant? YES, 1928 Durant Model 65 four door sedan

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Thank you Mike for the reply. Yes it does run. My cousin is being paid for ongoing maintenance on this ladies collection. Her husband passed and she is moving most of their collection. Until last week, I didn’t know what a Durant was but I have an interest for sure purchasing this Durant. She’s asking 17,500 for it. I have no knowledge on these but with my cousins help, and the internet, I can learn for ongoing maintenance.

Where Are You From? Dothan AL

Do You own a car built by Durant? Not yet

Re: Doctor's Coupe


I am sure this is a 1923 "4 passenger coupe", I have always called them an opera coupe rather than a doctors coupe....Their is just enough room to squeak 4 passengers inside.....The driver left front and perhaps a child on the jump seat right front and in the back a 3/4 bench seat for perhaps two adult....In the "oprea coupe" mode when off to the opera you would have the shuffer driving with the lady in the back with her big opera dress and the jump seat would be let down for more room, there should be a hat box just behind the drivers seat...Anyway, there was no leg room behind the drivers seat was the reason for the built in hat box with the three quarter bench seat in the back....I own a 1923 Hupmobile Opera coupe which I restored a few years back...I even added them there fancy flower vases in the back.

Take care

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

Do You own a car built by Durant? several

Re: Doctor's Coupe

Checking online I see under history of PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH UNION SPRINGS, ALABAMA, Rev. Willard B. Hurlburt served there 1975-1984. Alway nice to have the history of a car if you can find it.

Where Are You From? Ottawa Ontario Canada

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

Re: Doctor's Coupe - Price OK?

Hamp,

I don't think $17,500 is out of range. If you went with $15K in cash she would probably accept it. Figure it this way. You apparently like the car. You could go on a two week exotic vacation in Europe for the same money and get two weeks of memories. Or you could purchase this Coupe, touch it, Drive it, Go to car shows, and keep it for a lifetime of memories!

It will probably not go up in value in the coming years so don't buy it for investment. Life is too short so have the memories instead!

Good Luck!

Bill

Where Are You From? Indiana

Re: Doctor's Coupe

After doing some more research, it appears that the term "coupe" can refer to any body style and, number of doors, the manufacturer cares to apply.

Do You own a car built by Durant? Several

Re: Doctor's Coupe

The reverend Hurlburt was at the first Durant meet in Dearborn Michigan in 1981. I seem to remember him as being colorful in the best Southern preacher tradition. Nice car, price does not seem out of line.

Where Are You From? Orygun

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

 

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