The 1929 Durant 6-66 Coupe was built by Durant Motors, the automobile company established by William C. “Billy” Durant after he lost control of General Motors. Durant had founded GM in 1908 and helped establish Chevrolet before launching another automotive company under his own name in 1921.
The 6-66 was introduced in 1929 as a six-cylinder automobile aimed at the popular middle-price market. It combined a Continental engine, four-speed transmission and mechanical four-wheel brakes with the styling and comfort buyers expected from a well-equipped American automobile.
The example in the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum's collection was manufactured in Lansing, Michigan, and features a two-door enclosed body with a rear rumble seat.
Billy Durant and the Creation of Durant Motors
Billy Durant began his career manufacturing horse-drawn carriages in Flint, Michigan. In 1886, he partnered with Josiah Dallas Dort to establish what became one of America's largest carriage manufacturers.
After taking control of Buick in 1904, Durant founded General Motors in 1908 and brought several automobile manufacturers together, including Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac.
Financial difficulties forced him out of General Motors in 1910. He subsequently helped establish Chevrolet and used his success with that company to regain control of GM in 1916.
Durant lost control again in 1920.
In 1921, he founded Durant Motors, hoping to build another successful automotive company. The business produced vehicles under several names, including Star, Flint, Locomobile and Durant.
Engineering the Durant 6-66
The Durant 6-66 was powered by a Continental 15L inline-six engine with a displacement of 185 cubic inches. The engine developed 47 horsepower at 2,800 rpm.
Its engineering included full-pressure lubrication, an oil filter, lightweight Bohnalite alloy pistons and rubber engine mounting to reduce vibration.
The car rode on a 112-inch wheelbase and featured Bendix mechanical four-wheel brakes and semi-elliptic leaf springs.
One of the model's principal features was its four-speed manual transmission. At a time when three-speed transmissions were common, Durant promoted its four forward speeds as an advantage in driving comfort, fuel economy and reduced engine wear.
Original newspaper advertisements emphasized the transmission's silent third gear and double-high gearing.
Manufactured in Lansing, Michigan
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum's Durant 6-66 carries chassis number L-2690 and engine number 15L-16580.
The chassis number's L-prefix identifies Lansing, Michigan, as its assembly location.
A June 4, 1929 Lansing State Journal article reported that Durant factories shipped 10,094 vehicles during May, with more than half produced at the Lansing facility.
The report also noted that production of the new Six-Sixty-Six and Six-Seventy models was increasing.
The End of Durant Motors
The Durant 6-66 entered production during a difficult period for the American automobile industry.
In October 1929, the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. Automobile sales declined sharply and smaller manufacturers struggled to compete.
Durant Motors was unable to overcome its financial difficulties, and automobile production ended in the early 1930s.
Billy Durant continued pursuing business opportunities after his automotive company failed. He died in 1947.
The Museum's 1929 Durant 6-66 Coupe
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum's Durant retains the characteristic styling of the late 1920s, including its burgundy body, black fenders, wood-spoke wheels, whitewall tires and rear-mounted spare.
Its interior features a woodgrain dashboard, large steering wheel and upholstered bench seat. The rumble seat provides an example of the additional passenger accommodations offered on coupes of the period.
The automobile remains part of the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum's collection, preserving the history of Durant Motors and the final automotive venture of one of the industry's most influential founders.
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