Introduced in 1929, the four-cylinder model 40 was the Durant entry in the four-cylinder market for 1929. It replaced the short-lived,Durant M4. The 107 inch wheelbase model 40 featured a 36 horsepower, Continental Red Seal engine and was available in five body styles in both standard and de luxe trim.
1929 Durant 40 Two-Door Sedan, factory illustration
1929 Durant 40 Four-Door Sedan, factory illustration
1929 Durant 40 Coupe, factory illustration
1929 Durant 40 Roadster, factory illustration
1929 Durant 40 De-Luxe Four-Door Sedan, factory illustration
1929 Durant 40 De-Luxe Sport Roadster, factory illustration
Special features
- Quiet bodies — exclusive Durant construction.
- New advanced body lines.
- New brilliant colors.
- More roomy body interiors.
- Chromium plating on all fittings formerly nickel plated.
- The famous Million-Dollar four-cylinder Continental Red Seal Motor of special Durant design, completely rubber mounted.
- Morse Silent Timing Chain
- Bendix quiet positive four-wheel brakes.
- Exceptional gear shifting and steering wheel.
- Perfect balance — for unrivalled comfort and performance — always identified with Durant products.
Body styles and prices
| Body style | Price |
|---|---|
| Two-Door Sedan 1 | $595.00 |
| Four-Door Sedan 1 | $695.00 |
| Coupe 1 | $595.00 |
| Roadster 1 | $595.00 |
| De-Luxe Four-Door Sedan 1,2 | $775.00 |
| De-Luxe Roadster 1,2 | $675.00 |
| De Luxe Sport Roadster 1 | $715.00 |
| De Luxe Coupe 1,2 | $715.00 |
| De Luxe Two Door Sedan 1,2 | $745.00 |
| Chassis 1 | $495.00 |
Notes: 1 1929 prices, US dollars, f.o.b. Lansing 2 De Luxe models equipped with: Front Bumper, Rear Straight Bumper, Baggage Rack, Cowl lights and Band, Six wire wheels with two spare wheels mounted in front fender wells and equipped with two spare tires and tubes, and tire covers.
Serial number range
- C-1001 to C-12000
- E-1001 to E-3145
- L-1001 to L-3145
- T-2273 to T-12000
The serial number prefix shows the factory. See Durant Serial Numbers for every year and plant.
Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | Four-cylinder, L-head type, detachable head; Nelson Bohnalite pistons with invar steel struts; 3-3/8" bore by 4-1/4" stroke; piston displacement, 152 cubic inches; N.A.C.C. rating, 18.2; brake horsepower 36 at 2,400 r.p.m. Engine mounted in rubber. |
| Cylinders | Cast en-bloc with upper half of crankcase; detachable head. |
| Valves | 1-1/2" diameter; 5/16" lift. |
| Crankshaft Bearings | Front, 1-1/2" by 1-25/32"; center, 1-1/2" by 1-9/16"; rear, 1-1/2" by 2-3/4". |
| Camshaft Bearings | Front, 1-3/4" by 1-3/8"; center, 1-5/8" by 1"; rear, 1-1/2" by 1-33/64". |
| Engine Lubrication | Force feed to silent timing chain and all main, connecting-rod and camshaft bearings. |
| Cooling System | Cellular ribbon radiator; capacity, 8 quarts; 16" fan, 4 blades; pump. |
| Gasoline Supply | Capacity of tank, 11-1/2 gallons; placed at rear. Vacuum feed. Gasoline gauge on tank. |
| Carburetor | One-inch, plain tube, air and fuel adjustment. Exhaust and intake manifold with hot spot, mounted on left side of engine. |
| Clutch | Single-plate, dry-disc, enclosed in flywheel; seperately removable. |
| Transmission | Standard, selective sliding-gear type; three speeds forward and one reverse; seperately removable. |
| Front Axle | Standard drop-forged "I" beam section with reverse Elliott type steering mechanism. Timken tapered roller wheel bearings. Ball thrust bearings on knuckles. |
| Rear Axle | Semi-floating, simple design, with spiral-bevel ring gear and pinion. |
| Steering Gear | Semi-irreversible, worm-and-gear type. Fore-and-aft steering. Ball thrust bearings. 17" wheel, flush type controls. Horn button in center of wheel. |
| Brakes | Four-wheel Bendix mechanical, internal expanding, self-energizing, 3-shoe type; 11" brake drums. Easy adjustment. |
| Chassis Lubrication | Alemite pressure system. |
| Springs | Semi-elliptic; front, 36" by 1-3/4"; rear, 54" by 1-3/4". Tryon adjustable shackles. |
| Wheels | Wood artillery on standard models; wire on De Luxe models. |
| Tires | Balloon, 28 x 4.75. |
| Wheelbase | 107 inches. |
| Controls | Gear shift and parking brake levers in center; accelerator pedal mounted on toe board. Spark and throttle levers in center of steering wheel. Semi-automatic spark control. Speedometer, ammeter and oil gauge clustered in indirectly lighted instrument panel. Ignition and lighting switch and choke mounted on instrument board. |
| Starting, Lighting, Ignition | Generator; starting motor; igniter and coil. Combination stop and tail lamp; resistance dimmer on head lamps; large cowl lamps for parking. |
| Standard Equipment | Rear-vision mirror, automatic windshield wiper; electric motor-driven horn; combination stop and tail light; chromium-plated radiator, lamps and other fittings; tool kit. Tire carrier and extra rim. |
| De Luxe Equipment | Six wire wheels with two spares mounted in fender wells, bumpers, front and rear, trunk rack and chromium-plated cowl band. |
Related pages
- All Durant models, 1921 to 1932
- Other 1929 models: 1929 Durant Model 60, 1929 Durant Model 63, 1929 Durant Model 66, 1929 Durant Model 70, 1929 Durant Model M2, 1929 Durant Model M4
- Photos of member cars: 1929 Durant
- 1929 Durant sales literature
- Known Durant cars
Sources: Original Durant literature: A-29-102-6; Durant Family Registry, Durant’s Standard, vol. 13 no. 1, vol. 20 no. 4.