1927 Star Model R-6 Sedan, 4-door
Original price: $925.00
On loan from: Craig Kreiner, Davey, NE. Purchased in 1958 by Richard and Delores Kreiner, Davey, NE and stored for forty years. Richard had the motor completely overhauled 25 years ago. He and Charles Martin dismantled the body and had every part sandblasted and powder coated. A man in Lincoln did the body work and painting and a man in Fremont did the upholstery. The car was in good shape except for a dent in the rear section. The car was finished in 2004.
Engine, etc.: Continental 14 L-head; 6 cyl.; 169 cu. in., 40 hp; 107” wheelbase; 2,355 lbs.
A newspaper report of February 19, 1922 said a new 4-cylinder car would be shown in Washington, D.C. by the Durant Motor Company. The name of the new vehicle was not revealed until March 9th. The car turned out to be the new Star, Durant’s push to the low-priced market.
In June, 1922, mass production of the new Star Four (Model C) started. Only seven cars were produced in 1922. In the beginning, Durant set the price of the Star at an incredibly low amount so they could compete with Ford. Stars could be bought for as low as $348, although the base price was $100 more if demountable rims and a self-starter were ordered.
The 1923 Star was slightly longer than the Ford and many considered it better looking. Originally released only in black, Star cars later came in several colors including maroon and blue.
The model F was introduced in 1924 and called “The New Series”. It was produced until 1926 when it was replaced with the model M, a four-cylinder car. The six-cylinder model R was introduced in 1926. Both models were produced through 1927.
Durant sold the early Stars at a loss and as time went on, the price of the Star had to gradually rise in order to break even on the cars. The increase in price slowly moved the Stars out of the Ford price range to more of a Chevrolet range.
Although the Star was only in production from 1922 to 1928, it did manage to become a popular addition to the lower priced market. Durant decided to sell the six-cylinder cars under the Star name in 1928 and also used the Star name for the 4-cylinder models. Production of all Star cars ceased in April 1928 and the four-cylinder Star was renamed a Durant model M2. In 1929, a light Durant “four” (Model 4-40) replaced the Star.
Sources:
Information from the owner.
Cars of the Early Twenties by Tad Burness, 1968, Galahad Books, New York City, NY
https://durantcars.org/a-brief-history-of-durant-vehicles/ (Time line of Durant cars)
http://classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=1222&year=1927&model=21875
