Tuesday 19 January 2010

Beauty, but not a Star


The 16hp Durant was intended to be a rival to the Model T Ford and sold in the USA as a Star. However, when the car was introduced into Britain there already was a flourishing Star company so the interloper reverted to being badged a Durant. In 1959 this one owned by John McMurtrie of Balbithan Castle broke down outside the local Odeon and was towed back to the Castle and stored in a shed. Recently the nearby Grampian Transport Museum appealed for an unrestored car for a display they were planning. John McMurtrie heard about this and offered to give them the Durant which had been gathering dust and rubbish over the intervening 50 year period. The car is now on show in its unrestored state in the Grampian Transport Museum. Words by Michael E Ware, courtesy of The Lost & Found section of Classic & Sports Car Magazine


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