1925 Durant Model A-22 Four-Door Sedan

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

* * * 

William Crapo Durant was the founder of General Motors. A super salesman first, industrialist second. Having founded General Motors and lost it twice, he set about creating his second empire. Durant Motors, Inc., was formed on January 12, 1921; not surprisingly, conceived along GM lines. His prestige car was Locomobile. The Star, his Model T; the Flint, his Buick; the Durant planned as an upmarket automobile in the Oakland mode. Just 47 days after the January announcement, the first Durant prototypes were on the road.  

Durant delivered 22,615 cars in 1922; he sold his 50,000th car the following year. 1925 Models like this Model A-22 used a 109-inch wheelbase with power from a 37 hp four-cylinder engine. In addition to several U.S. production facilities, Durant purchased Mason truck, and a production facility in Ontario, Canada. Much like his days at GM, he was overextended and busy with other ventures. During 1926 and 1927, Durant produced no cars.   

Production resumed in 1928, but only that of the Durant automobile. After 5 years and losing $90 million of his own money, Durant succumbed to the post-Depression market and his company was liquidated in 1933. Durant declared personal bankruptcy in February 1936. He passed on March 18, 1947.   

Highlights  

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection  

• Fully-restored  

• Nicely restored interior with broadcloth door panels and headliner 

• Wool tweed seats and wool carpeting 

• One of 4,204 cars produced for 1925 

 Features  

• Rear window privacy shades 

• Nickel- and chrome-plated hardware and trim 

• Rear STOP lamp 

• Disc wheels 

• Moto meter 

• Fold-out windshield 

• Wool tweed and broadcloth seat upholstery 

• Proper and correct vinyl roof 

• Restored running boards and trim 

• Commander tires 

• Solid body 

• Vacuum-operated windshield wiper motor 

 Known Imperfections  

• Small nicks and chips   

Ownership History  

Lewis Jenkins, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina (Purchased from dealer Helen Boring Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, McCann Motors Inc. Tazewell, Virginia) (2002).  

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “I am going to take a page out of the Durant Motors Company slogan: 'Just a Real Good Car.' Which is exactly what it is!” 

Additional Notes  

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Donnie Gould    Phone: 954.647.0779     email: dgould@hagerty.com