Quiz Archive

Whatisit? # 63 (UPDATE: 1925 Flint)

UPDATE II by Jose A Gomez (unfortunately too late in wuith his answer): "This is a Flint model E 55, produced by the Flint Motor Co.a division of Durant Motors, the empire created by William Crapo "Billy" Durant in 1921. Durant, citizen from Flint, Michigan, began as a carriage maker, in fact his company Durant-Dort Carriages was the largest producer in the States in the beginning of the XX century; later he was Buick's president between 1904 and 1908, founder of the General Motors in that year, in 1911 he was forced to resign as president from GM, then Durant founded many companies included the Chevrolet Motor Company and regained control in GM in 1915, but in 1920 he was forced out again. Durant products was Star in the low price range, Durant in the middle range, upper the Flint, and the luxury market was covered with the Locomobile."Thank you so much Jose A. Gomez. Hope to have you in abit more early next time(next Saturday?)
UPDATE I by Rick Jorgensen: : The exact answer is 1925-26 FLINT Model 80. Made by Durant Motors. Billy Durant bought the old Willys-Overland plant in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1923. In one corner of the plant was an overlooked and forgotten prototype vehicle made by the trio of Zeder, Breer and Skelton for Walter P. Chrysler. Chrysler had used some features from this prototype as a step toward the much smaller first Chrysler cars in 1924. The prototype design was revamped by Durant and became the first Flint Six. The body styling was intentionally very similar to the Locomobile line which had also been purchased by Durant. The Flint became affectionately known as the “Junior Locomobile” by the newspapers of the time. However, the Flint only lasted from 1923 to 1927. Sadly, this particular car was later cut down into a farm truck and it finally ended it’s life as a rubber tired farm wagon."

Best answer was by Lars-Göran Lindgren with 1925 Flint. Congratulations Lars-Göran !!! Intersting is that both Sweden and Norway have a few Flint cars. There even is a Norwegian Flint register... Cars are going places... (click photo to enlarge ; from family album of Rick Jorgensen, vice president of the Golden Era Automobile Association) EARLIER TEXT: "The year is 1925 and the automobile is new. A North Dakota farmer, W.S. Reed of Willis Township, near the town of Sawyer, has his family all loaded up and is heading out to California on vacation. His stern attitude is probably due to worrying about the unknown roadways across the wild American mid-west and then through the Rocky Mountains down to the Golden State. He is also annoyed that he is getting a late start (6:00 AM) and he has to stop at the neighbor’s farm just to show them the families new car where this photo was taken. The girl in the center of the car, sitting on a suitcase facing the rear, between the front and rear seats, is my mother, Bessie Ann (Reed) Jorgensen She rode on that hard suitcase for the entire trip. Somewhere in the Rocky Mountains the chain driven generator loosened up and the big engine threw the timing chain. It took many hours of work to dismantle, repair, re-time, and reassemble the engine. And, can you imagine trying to keep track of all those kids during the long stop in the piney wild woods? Let’s see if you can guess the make. It was known as a “Junior Locomobile” and also as a “Modified Chrysler.” This big 65 horsepower six cylinder car sold for around $1595.00 and the California Top was an extra-cost accessory. There’s sure not very many of these vehicles still around.. Can you guess what it is?" Please send your answer before Monday 28 April to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in order to win the infamous PreWarCar T-shirt. Add # 63 to the subject line of your e-mail.

Friday, 25 April 2003