Old Durant in my barn

[manikmekanik]

Hi, guys!

I have an old Durant in my tractor bay, which my bride, Panikmekanik, wants to put out in the front yard, for display. I told her NO, it'll never last out in the weather.

I've looked all over the web, and have'nt found another like it, nor any mention of a pre-GM Durant, except here, at AACA.

It's not in the best condition, not even close, but still wears the brass tag from the Durant-Dort carriage works in Flint, MI.

I put a photo of part of it on the "What is it?" forum, and got a reply, identifying it as an early "Cutter", or one-horse open sleigh. Since then, I've tried to get more info, but to no avail. I'll need some ammo to battle the wife over it's next location, here on the farm, and a general value, or info on it's rarity may help.

I bought her a used fiberglass sleigh, the type pulled by a snowmobile, and painted it up, to keep her at bay last year.

But now she wants the Durant out there, because it looks older. She says she'll paint it up to look better, and protect it, but I told her not to touch it, especially with any kind of paintbrush!

Can y'all help? I'd rather see it get sold to a restorer, or carriage builder than let her mess it up with modern paint, the scroll work, (pinstriping), is the most beautiful I've seen!

[Durant Mike]

GO to the Durant Motors Automobile Site located on the web at www.durantmotors.org and post a message on that forum. Durant people will always like to obtain parts etc. They are a friendly bunch and a picture would help.

[manikmekanik]

Thanx, durant28!

I'll go there today!

[Robert's Cars]

Randy, You can also go to www.graydortmotors.com where they do have pictures of some Gray-Dort sleighs. These were the Canadian versions of the Durant-Dort sleighs and carriages.

[manikmekanik]

Very good site with historical info about Durant, and, mostly his cars. No Cutters.

Thanx 4 the link, durant28!

[manikmekanik]

Thanx 4 the link, Robert's cars!

This site has info on Gray and Dort sleighs, but no mention of the Durant-Dort carriage co. , nor the model of cutter I have.

I appreciate all the help, gentlemen!

Gotta keep lookin'

[Guest John W. Cina]

Hi Randy - saw the discussion on what sounds like your cutter.

I tried to find where your picture of it was - with NO luck.

I have 3 - 1921 Dort Touring cars -- but have been involved with driving horses and also have a collection of horse drawn vehicles.

We have a club ( I was a founding member ) the Saint Croix Horse and Carriage Society which is putting on a Sleigh Rally/Show in the Twin Cities the end of January.

We've called our event a Sleigh & Cutter Parade --- which is sort of a redunant term ----- SLEIGH being a vehicle with runners drag on the ground ----- and a CUTTER - a type of SLEIGH ...

Our event had been connected with the St.Paul Winter Carnvial ------ but like many know -- many of these big doings don't give much or any support for events we try to put on ----- so we separted from them....

I have a cutter which I bought from a fellow who also had ideas of putting it out for a yard display ----------DON'T DO IT !!!!

I used to keep one of them in the family room at Christmas time -- but not outside.

It would be nice to see a picture of it.

I check here every once in a while regarding DORT (s) .

Having fun (I think) in MN. John

[manikmekanik]

Thanx 4 'yer reply, John!

Here's a photo of the tag, along with some of the pinstriping. The cutter is covered-up out in the barn, not out in the yard.