Image of 1930 Durant Model 614, Note: These illustrations use artistic license and may differ from actual historical models.

Engine Specifications
Engine Options:	Inline 6
Displacement Range:	3.2L
Horsepower Range:	Estimated 70-80 HP
Torque:	Not available
Compression Ratio:	Not available
Ignition System:	Distributor and coil
Cooling System:	Water-cooled
Performance Specifications
0-60 Time:	Not available
1/4 Mile Time:	Not available
Top Speed:	60-70 mph
Transmission and Drive
Drive Type:	Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type:	3-speed manual
Fuel and Efficiency
Fuel System Type:	Carburetor
MPG:	Not available
Dimensions and Brakes
Brakes:	Mechanical drum brakes
Wheelbase:	114 inches
Weight:	Estimated 2800-3000 lbs

1930 Durant Model 614: A Six-Cylinder Survivor from an Independent Automaker

The 1930 Durant Model 614 was built for motorists who wanted the comfort and presence of a six-cylinder car without paying luxury-car prices. Its name is commonly understood to point to a six-cylinder model on a 114-inch wheelbase, a useful clue to its basic formula: a roomy, conventional American automobile from a company trying to compete with much larger manufacturers.

Durant was the namesake company of William C. Durant, the influential founder of General Motors. After losing control of GM, Durant set out to build another automotive empire. Durant Motors, established in 1921, sold cars under several names, including Durant and Star. The Model 614 arrived during a difficult period for the company. The Great Depression had begun, competition was intense, and Durant Motors was struggling to keep its broad lineup and factories financially healthy.

That context gives the 614 its appeal today. It is not remembered as a revolutionary machine or a sales champion. Instead, it represents the ambitions of an independent automaker trying to offer a well-equipped, stylish six at a competitive price just as the American car market was entering a major downturn.

Art Deco Lines and Six-Cylinder Comfort

The 614’s exterior followed the established proportions of a late-1920s American car: a long hood, upright radiator, separate fenders, running boards, and a passenger compartment set well back from the engine. By 1930, styling was becoming more streamlined, but the car still had the formal, upright look of the period. Its brightwork, radiator ornament, wire or pressed-steel wheels depending on specification, and carefully shaped fenders gave it a more imposing appearance than its practical price positioning might suggest.

Available body styles and exact equipment could vary by market and catalog listing. Durant’s period offerings included familiar enclosed and open-car formats, such as sedans and coupes, with some configurations changing between model years. A closed sedan is the most recognizable choice for collectors today, thanks to its weather protection and family-car practicality. Buyers should check the particular car’s body tag and period documentation rather than assume every surviving 614 was built to the same specification.

Inside, the emphasis was on useful comfort rather than lavish luxury. A typical car of this class could feature a broad bench seat, a painted or wood-trimmed instrument panel, a large steering wheel, and durable cloth upholstery. Trim materials and colors varied with body style and equipment. These were substantial cars for ordinary motoring, but they were not fitted out like top-tier luxury models.

Paint choices were also dependent on body style, production details, and dealer ordering. Period Durant cars were offered in more than one color scheme, often with contrasting fenders or trim, but a single definitive “most popular” color for the 614 is not well established. Today, deep dark colors and tasteful two-tone treatments suit its formal silhouette particularly well, though originality is more important to many collectors than a modern favorite shade.

Period Engineering, Not Modern Technology

The Model 614’s principal appeal was its six-cylinder powerplant and conventional, serviceable mechanical layout. Published specifications associated with the 614 commonly point to a Continental-built six of roughly 175 cubic inches, producing around 55 to 60 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Exact figures can differ among references and individual cars, so surviving engine numbers and original literature are the best guides to a particular example.

For its time, the six-cylinder engine was a meaningful selling point. It promised smoother running than many four-cylinder cars and made the Durant feel better suited to open-road touring. The car did not introduce a breakthrough technology, however. It relied on the familiar recipe of a front-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and mechanical braking. Its strengths were accessibility and conventional engineering, not technical novelty.

Why the Durant 614 Matters

The 614’s historical importance lies less in changing automotive design than in showing how competitive the American market had become. Independent manufacturers had to offer buyers a compelling mix of style, equipment, performance, and price while competing with the enormous production capacity of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Durant’s strategy was to serve several price points through a network of related marques and models.

That broad strategy could give customers plenty of choice, but it also brought complexity. Multiple brands, models, and facilities were expensive to manage, especially as the Depression sharply reduced demand. Durant Motors ceased ordinary automobile production in the early 1930s. The 614 therefore belongs to the final, fragile chapter of the company’s effort to remain a major independent manufacturer.

It did not establish a lasting engineering trend or become a high-volume icon. Its distinction is more personal and historical: it carries the Durant name, reflects the company’s attempt to offer an affordable six, and survives as evidence of the many independent American automakers that competed during the period.

Road Manners and Performance

With around 55 to 60 horsepower, a healthy Model 614 was capable of ordinary touring speeds for its era. A reasonable modern estimate for top speed is approximately 60 to 65 mph, though condition, gearing, body style, tire choice, and engine specification all matter. Reliable factory 0-to-60 mph figures are not readily available. Given the car’s modest power and substantial curb weight by today’s standards, acceleration would have been leisurely, and a rough estimate of 25 seconds or more is more credible than a brisk modern-car comparison.

On a smooth road, the six should feel more relaxed and even than a small four-cylinder engine of the same period. The ride is typically soft and upright, with the suspension designed to absorb rough surfaces rather than deliver sharp cornering control. Over bumps, the car’s tall tires and generous suspension movement help, but the body can bounce or sway more than a modern vehicle.

On winding roads, the 614 calls for an unhurried approach. Its steering is likely to feel heavy at low speeds, and its narrow tires, high seating position, and period chassis do not encourage aggressive cornering. Mechanical brakes require more anticipation and effort than modern hydraulic systems. The driving experience is best described as deliberate: listen to the engine, plan braking early, shift with care, and let the car settle into its pace.

From behind the wheel, the engine’s sound is a steady vintage six-cylinder murmur rather than a modern, high-revving note. The large steering wheel and upright driving position make the driver an active participant. A 614 is most enjoyable when treated as a touring car, not pushed to keep up with contemporary traffic.

Living with a 1930 Durant

Today, the Model 614 is primarily a show car, touring car, or preservation project. Some owners may take a well-maintained example on local drives and vintage-car events, but it is not a practical daily driver by modern standards. Its speed, braking, lighting, and crash protection are all products of another era.

The basic mechanical layout is familiar to experienced prewar-car specialists, and many routine jobs do not require advanced equipment. That does not mean parts are as easy to find as they are for a Ford Model A or Chevrolet of the same period. Durant-specific trim, body pieces, instruments, and drivetrain parts can take patience to locate. A prospective owner should inspect the engine, transmission, brakes, cooling system, wood structure where applicable, and the availability of correct parts before buying.

Reliability depends heavily on restoration quality and ongoing care. A properly sorted car can be dependable for occasional use, but age alone brings challenges: dried seals, deteriorated wiring, worn bearings, and fuel-system problems are common concerns in prewar automobiles. The average owner can handle basic maintenance with the right manuals and tools, but specialist help may be needed for engine rebuilding, body restoration, or sourcing rare components.

Durant 614 Facts and Myths

The most notable fact about the 614 is its place in William C. Durant’s second automotive venture. Durant had already played a major role in building General Motors, and his later company attempted to repeat that success through a family of brands. The 614 is a modest but tangible part of that ambitious story.

No widely documented speed record, endurance record, or major historical event is specifically associated with the Model 614. Nor is a famous celebrity ownership story central to its identity. Its rarity, rather than a racing pedigree, is what makes it intriguing to enthusiasts.

A common criticism of the car is that it can be difficult to support compared with more popular contemporaries. Another is that its performance and handling are unremarkable by modern expectations. Those are fair points, but they also reflect the 614’s intended role: an affordable, conventional six-cylinder automobile, not a sports car or engineering showpiece.

Collector Value and Availability

There is no dependable production total for the Model 614 that is widely accepted by collectors, so any precise figure should be treated cautiously. Durant’s overall company output was modest beside that of the industry leaders, and the 614 is rarely encountered today. A sensible estimate is that production was in the low thousands rather than tens of thousands, but that is a best guess, not a confirmed model-by-model tally. The number of surviving, complete examples is smaller still.

As a broad current-market estimate, a project car might sell for roughly $5,000 to $12,000, while a running but older restoration could fall around $12,000 to $25,000. A high-quality, correct restoration or an unusually complete example could reach approximately $25,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on body style, provenance, condition, and buyer interest. These are general estimates, not a formal appraisal; uncommon parts and the limited pool of Durant specialists can affect prices substantially.

Values tend to be driven by condition and completeness more than by a strong upward trend. The 614’s scarcity can attract marque enthusiasts, but its relatively low name recognition limits demand compared with better-known prewar cars. Excellent examples may hold their value and occasionally command a premium, while restoration projects can be challenging to resell because the cost of specialist work may exceed the finished car’s market value.

A Small Car with a Big Backstory

The 1930 Durant Model 614 combined a period-style body, a smoother six-cylinder engine, and conventional, owner-friendly engineering. It was built during a demanding moment for American carmakers and represents William C. Durant’s effort to establish a second automotive empire. Its performance is modest, its parts support can be a challenge, and its influence was limited, but its historical character is unmistakable.

For collectors, the 614 offers something different from the familiar prewar favorites: a rare survivor from an ambitious independent manufacturer. It is not simply a car from 1930. It is a rolling reminder that the American automobile story was shaped not only by the companies that endured, but also by the bold ventures that tried to challenge them.