Re: Unknown Packard Photo

Posted by packardsix1939 On 2022/4/26 8:57:36

I think I've solved the mystery of the car in this photo. It is a 1927 or 1928 Star, produced by Durant Motors. Durant Motors was the automotive conglomerate cobbled together by GM founder and former chairman William C. Durant after he was ejected by GM's board in 1921 for nearly bankrupting the company. The Star was the low-priced line meant to compete with Ford and Chevrolet. Other Durant Motors car lines included the Flint, Durant, Locomobile and Mason trucks. Also, the Star car was exported to Europe under the Rugby brand name. Although initially successful, sales eventually faltered, and Durant Motors was out of business by 1932. William Durant passed away in 1947, broke, nearly destitute and virtually forgotten by the industry he had done so much to create.

I am identifying the photo car as a Star of this vintage based on several key design elements which I have matched to photos of actual Star cars I found on the Internet:

Bullet shaped headlights painted black
Row of 18 stamped hood louvers
Three external door hinges
Unusually wide belt line extending down the rear of the car
Embossed areas on running board apron
Cowl lamps
Apparent similarity to the Packard radiator design

The Star car was produced from 1922 through 1928, becoming the Durant-Star for 1928 before being folded into the Durant line for 1929-1932, after which, production ceased. Star cars utilized either four (158 CI, 30 HP) or six (169.2 CI, 40 HP) cylinder engines produced by Continental. The six was new for 1927. I believed the photo car is a six. Please examine the attached photos and let me know what you think.

Attach file:

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  1927 Durant Star 6.jpg (39.52 KB)


  1928-durant-star-coupe-2.jpg (42.26 KB)


  1928-durant-star-coupe-1.jpg (43.30 KB)