1926 Star Landau Model R

I currently own a 1926 Star Six that I greatly enjoy. When I discovered that Star had produced a limited number of high-end luxury cars called the "Landau" I started looking for images of them. As soon as I saw one I fell in love with it. To me, this was the perfect car plus, it was a project car owned by a man who was into tractors. I negotiatedwith him for a couple of monthsand, based solely on the pictures I've included in this ad, was able to buy it. My dream was to spend about 4 or 5 years in doing a complete, frame-up restoration. I started buying tools and researching wood and learning how to shape the wood as it was originally shaped. I even found a man who is supposed to have some patterns that may fit. Then disaster hit and I became ill with one illness after another. I grew depressed and that has hampered my recovery. As it now stands, I rarely drive even to the nearest decent-sized town (35 miles or about 45 minutes away across the mountain from me). My wife does most of the driving for a man who, at one time would never allow anyone to drive him. I completely realize that none of this is interesting to you but I felt it important for you to understand why I have decided to sell the car at this time. I actually made the decision and notified the man whose land it is setting on about a month ago but I have had a hard time committingto the actual sale. If the car was close to me I still would not sell it but I am in Tennessee and the car is in Arizona (just East of Phoenix a bit). It is breaking my heart but I'd rather see the car go to someone who will actually do the restoration it deserves that to have it set there waiting to see if I finally become able to make the drive. Now, you are probably asking why I do not have it shipped to me, right? Basically, it is because the car is not completely put together. As the pictures show, part of it is placed into the interior through the open rear of the car. At this point I will repeat the previous description if you missed it.
"The cloth interior is mostly there for patterns but is unusable as it is. The gauges are still in the dash. The glass will all need to be replaced but the frames are there. The wood steering wheel is OK but needs refinishing. The rear top portion of the car has suffered damage (see pictures). The wooden frame of the car is inside the car in pieces. As far as I can tell, the pieces are enough to allow someone to rebuild the rear one board at a time. That was my original plan. Illness has forced me to revise my plans. All tires hold air. The wooden spokes of the wheels need to be varnished. The entire car needs stripped, primed, and painted. The 6 cylinder engine is complete and intact even including the spark plug wires and glass fuel filter. The radiator cap does appear to be missing but it may be inside the car in a box or just laying on the floor. I do not live at the property where it is located. This car was a long time dream of mine and I bought it sight unseen after I found it."
In my conversation with the previous owner I've determined that probably 90-95% plus of the car is with it now. The only major item that is missing is the curved "S-looking" emblemfrom the right side of the car. The left side is with it I think (based on my conversation). I've talked to my machine shop friend and he did not think it would be too difficult to duplicate that piece. The little things that are common to get lost like the robe bar and hold holds in the rear luxurycompartment are still there. All of the handles and trim pieces appear to still be with the car. On another note, the gentleman who own's the land where the car is currently setting under a tarp will be available to help load the car. As I mentioned earlier, the tires still hold air so the car is a roller. That will make loading it much easier. I would also strongly urge whoever decides to adopt this car to move it in an enclosed trailer if at all possible. If you have far to go, as I would have had, that would prevent theftin the night if you had to stop for the night someplace. Through my experience with old cars in general, I certain the engine will start if you go about it properly and do a full cleaning and fluids change before even trying. Of course you will need new plugs, etc., as well as new gas in a treated gas tank or a spare tank.
NOW, to give you some final details about the car. It was produced at he Lansing, MI plant in Oct. of 1925. It original sold at the luxury car price of a staggering $975.00. This is a Model "R" with serial number of L-5953 and is formally known as a 1926 Star Landau Sedan. This is an extremely rare car today. I've searched both Canada and the USA and they are very limited. In fact, there are only 5 others listed in the Star Registry. To date, I have discovered none that are not in the Registry except for this one. I was waiting until I got it home to put it in the Registry. There are a couple of things I need to get straight here. I am required to give a millage. In a car this old it is possible that it was rolled back at some time. There were people who used to do that (don't ask) which is one reason the odometer is tamper proof now. I am also required to give the condition of the title. Unless I am mistaken, there is only a bill of sale with this car and that will be given to you when you pick it up. I had to make something and the closest option was "Clear". It is clear to the point that there is no "Lien" on the car (and no title either). Finally, the last picture is a 1926 Star Landau that has been restored already. This is what your new car can look like when you finish it. This is not the car that is being sold! The car being sold is represented in all of the other pictures. I just thought you needed to be able to see what the final result of your labor can look like.
Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. Happy holidays and happy New Year to you! If I can answer any additional question feel free to e-mail me (although I've included about all I can think of here). I require a $1000 deposit through PayPal within two business days of the end of the auction. The rest you can give to the gentleman when you pick the car up. This MUST be in cash only!
Gene