Mystery Machine #518 - Duro Metal Products Company Bus (Further detail welcome)

[pnegyesi]

was it used by a city in Illionis?

[Otto Puzzell]

Could this thing have been operated by a Department of a City?

Not a municipality or government.

[4popoid]

Gale Products, Division of OMMC?

[Otto Puzzell]

Gale Products, Division of OMMC?

No

[pnegyesi]

a school of some kind?

[pguillem]

A band bus ?

This puzzle is getting me nuts.  I was thinking of woodwind an brass instruments, strings and percussions, and Jack Conrad's band bus.

[4popoid]

A manufacturer of engines?

[Otto Puzzell]

a school of some kind?

No

[Otto Puzzell]

A band bus ?

This puzzle is getting me nuts.  I was thinking of woodwind an brass instruments, strings and percussions, and Jack Conrad's band bus.

Not a bus for musicians.

[Otto Puzzell]

A manufacturer of engines?

No

[pguillem]

Western Electric ?

[Otto Puzzell]

Nope.

Let's try something a little different, as guesing every non-services company that existed in or near Illinois during the 20th century could take weeks, months, or more.

On the side of this bus are four words. Part of one of those words has been stated before. Here's the clue:

_   _   _   _       _   _   _   _   _       P   r   o   d   u   c   _   _       _   _   _   _   _   _   _

[Tom_I]

I've been trying to work out what the words are. On the CSI television programmes they have pictures consisting of three pixels, click the "enhance" button, and everything comes into crystal clear focus, but it doesn't seem to be working for me...

However, I think that the last three words could be "Metal Products Company", but I can't work out the first one at all.

[Otto Puzzell]

I've been trying to work out what the words are. On the CSI television programmes they have pictures consisting of three pixels, click the "enhance" button, and everything comes into crystal clear focus, but it doesn't seem to be working for me...

However, I think that the last three words could be "Metal Products Company", but I can't work out the first one at all.

Those three words are correct. Locked for you!

_   _   _   _       M    e   t   a   l       P   r   o   d   u   c   t   s       C   o   m   p   a   n   y

[Tom_I]

Is it the Duro Metal Products Company in Chicago?

[Otto Puzzell]

It is!

[Bill Murray]

My hat is certainly off to Tom.  Duro was #4 on my list of 4 letter words to try to find the company.

My question, though, is now what?

Chassis, coachbuilder, year etc. and is there a clear photo of the bus with the complete logo??

I have about 4 hours research into this puzzle and I am so happy it is getting solved, I didn't care who solved it, but I would like the whole story if we can get it.

Bill

[Otto Puzzell]

I consider it done.

I'll post the picture with the logo visible tomorrow morning (my time zone). Since pguillem did much of the up-front work, I think he's earned a point as well.  If somebody can provide credible proof of the mechanical base or builder, another point may be awarded.

Well done, all.

[pguillem]

Is it the Duro Metal Products Company in Chicago?

Congrats Tom !  Your lateral seeing is a lot better than mine 

And thank you Otto !

[Otto Puzzell]

Here's the un-retouched version of the puzzle pic, and a closer look at the wording. Still not super clear, but the best I can do with the resources at hand.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[Otto Puzzell]

Duro Metal Products Co.
Chicago, IL., U.S.A.
Manufacturer Class: Wood Working Machinery & Metal Working Machinery

This maker of woodworking and metal-working machinery was established in 1917, but really started to pick up steam in the early 1930s with the decrease in cost of small motors that enabled "portable" (i.e., not driven by line-shaft) machinery. Duro machines were aimed at the light industrial and high-end home users.

Duro's lathe was sold by Montgomery Ward. In 1968 Rockwell Manufacturing Co. purchased the overarm router-shaper and a belt sander from Duro; the belt sander was never made by Rockwell.

The company survived to at least 1981, and probably into the late 1980s. By that time they were facing strong competition from Taiwan. A company named JAF, Inc. of Ashland, WI, owned the rights to the name from 1989 though 1996. The Duro name no longer exists, and parts and service are not available. If you need parts, your best option is to buy a parts-donor machine.

Address (1949 Popular Mechanics): 2651 N. Kildare Ave, Chicago 39, Illinois.