Star (automobile)
Star was an American car brand. These cars were built by Durant Motors in Elizabeth (New Jersey) in the years 1922-1928. They were also called Star Car. These cars were intended as a competitor to the Ford Model T. In Britain and the Commonwealth, the cars had to be offered as a rugby because of the brand name Star was there protected by the Star Motor Company in Wolverhampton (England ) for both passenger carriages as well as commercial vehicles.
Production
Like other products of Durant Motors was also the star of a pre-fabricated automobile that was made from parts of different suppliers. First of all Star were powered by four-cylinder engines, starting in 1926 there was a six-cylinder in-line engine to do so. The engines were supplied by Continental ( W4 series for four-cylinder and six-cylinder for 14L ).
The production of Star automobiles is confirmed for the following Durant Factories:
- Elizabeth (New Jersey) ( Star and Rugby)
- Lansing (Michigan ) ( Star and Rugby)
- Long Iceland City (New York) (Star )
- Oakland ( California ) (Star )
- Leaside, Toronto, Canada ( Star and Rugby)
1923 Star the first car brand to offer a factory-made suit and not only supplied chassis to Stellmacher farms, which then built up a "Woody" by the customer. With an introductory price of U.S. $ 610, it was in addition to a favorable offer.
Beginning of the model year 1928 the Star was sold as Durant Star and was only available with four-cylinder engine. In the second half of this year, the model Durant replaced the 4 star.
Models
Commercial Vehicles
Derived from the cars offered at Star light commercial vehicles. ( Closed van van) out without front doors as well as a station wagon, the first in the regular program of a U.S. supplier to the chassis of the Model C with the same type Continental W4 1922 were a "Delivery". Such suits were considered at the time as commercial vehicles. In 1923, the Van "Closed Delivery" was called to distinguish him from the new "Open Delivery". "Open", referring to the lack of side walls behind the side window. The roof was like out at the Van to stern. The value in use was about equivalent to that of a pickup truck with tarp for bad weather, a textile weather protection was probably carried. The structure also was easy to extend, for example, to a market vehicle. The chassis of the Model C was now also available individually. In the price range of the Star it was probably only of interest as a basis for commercial vehicles. Unfortunately there is no information for 1924. Size and price made the car ideal for deliveries in urban areas.
From 1924 to 1926 there was a version of "CC" for heavier loads. Again, lack of detailed information. However, it can be regarded as probable that the same engine were installed in a reinforced and probably extended chassis and that vehicles with more than one tonne payload incurred.
From the " New Star " model F no data available on a commercial vehicle program are available but it was a " commercial chassis " offered.
The small truck model L was the commercial vehicle variant of the model R.
A few Durant light trucks were sold in 1928 as rugby in the USA.