1921 Stutz Series K Bearcat
360ci T-Head 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Carburetor
88bhp
3-Speed Manual Transaxle
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Drum Brakes
*Time warp example of an American icon
*Approximately 11,500 miles from new
*FIVA award winner 2015 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance
*Wayne Carini's greatest discovery
*Stunning original condition
THE STUTZ BEARCAT
In the world of antique cars, few names resonate like the Stutz Bearcat. Images of young gentlemen in raccoon coats racing around the countryside with a college pennant attached to the car often come to mind, and for the era, there were few cars as sought after and mythical in stature.
The Stutz Company and the Bearcat model were famous from day one. Soon after completion, Harry C. Stutz sent the prototype Bearcat racer to compete in the 1911 inaugural Indianapolis 500 race. The untested car did remarkably well, finishing the race and beating many established brands, earning the Stutz the slogan "The Car That Made Good in a Day".
First offered to the public in 1912, the Bearcat was essentially a road-worthy version of the highly successful Stutz racers that followed the original Indy car. A radically designed sports car through and through, the Bearcat had just two bucket seats and no convertible top or windshield. Like the Stutz racing cars, the Bearcat was constructed around a low-slung chassis, ensuring a lower center of gravity and good handling characteristics in addition to its lightweight design.
Initially powered by a Wisconsin T-head engine, it would be eventually replaced by a Stutz-built, sixteen-valve, four-cylinder unit that drew heavily on Stutz's racing experience. The Stutz "White Squadron" racers were powered by engines featuring four valves per cylinder; the potential increase in performance over a traditional two-valve motor was made clear!
The new, more advanced motor demanded an improved car. Stutz responded with a heavier chassis to cope with the power as well as attractive modern coachwork. Still built on a short and light 120" chassis, the new model would move the center of gravity even lower by placing the tank down low in the rear, with a rear deck fitted to hold a couple of raked spares in racing fashion. This redesign produced a menacing looking machine, and would bestow upon the Bearcat its second golden era. Challenged only by its fierce rival, the Mercer Raceabout, the Bearcat represented the ultimate in American sporting cars of the time.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Offered here is a truly exceptional, amazingly original example of one of the most iconic American cars of all time. This time-warp Bearcat is the car (and tale) every car enthusiast dreams of - laid up for 80 years without anyone knowing about it and having only covered approximately 10,000 miles since new!
This Bearcat was purchased new at the Boston, Massachusetts Stutz agency in 1921 by a high-ranking Army Officer of the Medical Corps. Upon a transfer to Silver Springs, Maryland, the officer drove his beloved Bearcat to his new commission. A map detailing driving routes to this location was amazingly found in the car. After his time in Maryland, he was relocated to Georgia in 1931, the Stutz was again his ride of choice to his new home.
Wayne Carini, noted car sleuth and host of television's Chasing Classic Cars was tipped off to the possibility of a mysterious Stutz Bearcat in Georgia. Without hesitation, he immediately went in search of this incredible prize. The car was ultimately discovered at the former estate of its original owner - it had been given to the caretaker and untouched for decades. While inspecting the car, the Bearcat was partly disassembled in an attempt to perform a routing de-carb job. However, it was ultimately decided to be kept in wonderfully preserved, original condition. Without hesitation, Mr. Carini negotiated purchase for the Bearcat, and the car was immediately transported to his shop in Connecticut.
Upon arrival, the Bearcat was carefully inspected and its contents inventoried. The car's condition and originality was staggering; nothing had been modified or changed on the car, and all original components appeared to be preserved in place. The car had every sign of being the 10,000-mile car the odometer claimed. The contents of the car proved even more fascinating - a bag from the Stutz agency in Boston, maps to Maryland, and most remarkably of all, the car's original handwritten build tag with all of the Bearcat's serial numbers was discovered tucked under the front seat - no other tags like this have ever been reported discovered!
Upon the car's arrival in Connecticut, the decision was ultimately made to attempt to get the Bearcat running. Mr. Carini decided to send the car to Bonhams Motoring Specialist and Stutz aficionado, Evan Ide. While at Evan's shop, the oil pan was removed and cleaned, its water pump rebuilt with a new shaft, a full valve job performed, and a new head gasket sourced and installed along with a revived ignition system. Upon further inspection, the cam follower guides were swollen and cracked, so a new set was produced from bearing bronze by Holman Engineering.
Further cleaning and careful stabilization of the cosmetics were also undertaken. Delicate areas of the upholstery were strengthened, having sourced original leather in order to carefully repair some rodent damage. The exterior paint was carefully cleaned and the original top was brushed to remove dirt and dust from years of storage. As the fuel tank was covered in well preserved original paint, a decision was made to fabricate a second tank that could be stored in the compartment behind the front seat. A tank of approximately three gallons was fabricated from aluminum, which allowed the original pressure delivery system to be employed and thus eliminating the need for a modern fuel pump.
It should be noted that every possible attempt was made to do the work without disturbing the originality and patina of this remarkable car. It would all pay off, and after several months of effort, the Stutz once again ran - and oh how it runs! With the Bearcat now running flawlessly, it was ready to be debuted to the world at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The Bearcat proved to be a hit. Not only were crowds flocking to see the car throughout the day, it was also awarded the FIVA prize for the most significant original pre-war car! For Mr. Carini, the "chase" and discovery of his career-defining motorcar was extraordinarily special, but the journey of the Stutz from purchase to Pebble Beach is equally impressive. These events were recently documented in a special one-hour season-premiere episode named, Hey There, Hot Stutz. The episode became one of the most watched in the program's history, and received wide acclaim.
As the Bearcat sits today, the big T-head engine will idle down to around 50rpm, but with the slightest crack of the throttle, it immediately barks to life. The music coming out of the large exhaust cutout is magical! On the road, the Stutz is remarkable - having no squeaks or rattles, practically tight and sharp in the way only an all-original, low mileage car can be. Since being recommissioned, the car has been enjoyed for roughly 1,500 miles, bringing the total mileage driven since new to just shy of 11,500.
Of all the cars Wayne Carini has discovered over the years, he considers this to be his ultimate find. The fact that a Stutz Bearcat - one of the greatest prizes in collecting since the hobby has existed and paired with its success in alluding discovery for 80 years and wonderfully preserved in such remarkable condition surely makes for a great story. One would be hard-pressed to score a better find today! As such, this should easily be considered the most original Bearcat in existence, and a truly exceptional example of one of the greatest icons of American motoring.
◊ Special formalities are required to bid on this lot. Contact Client Services at +1 (212) 644 9001 or [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance of the auction for registration and bidding options.
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360ci T-Head 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Carburetor
88bhp
3-Speed Manual Transaxle
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Drum Brakes
*Time warp example of an American icon
*Approximately 11,500 miles from new
*FIVA award winner 2015 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance
*Wayne Carini's greatest discovery
*Stunning original condition
THE STUTZ BEARCAT
In the world of antique cars, few names resonate like the Stutz Bearcat. Images of young gentlemen in raccoon coats racing around the countryside with a college pennant attached to the car often come to mind, and for the era, there were few cars as sought after and mythical in stature.
The Stutz Company and the Bearcat model were famous from day one. Soon after completion, Harry C. Stutz sent the prototype Bearcat racer to compete in the 1911 inaugural Indianapolis 500 race. The untested car did remarkably well, finishing the race and beating many established brands, earning the Stutz the slogan "The Car That Made Good in a Day".
First offered to the public in 1912, the Bearcat was essentially a road-worthy version of the highly successful Stutz racers that followed the original Indy car. A radically designed sports car through and through, the Bearcat had just two bucket seats and no convertible top or windshield. Like the Stutz racing cars, the Bearcat was constructed around a low-slung chassis, ensuring a lower center of gravity and good handling characteristics in addition to its lightweight design.
Initially powered by a Wisconsin T-head engine, it would be eventually replaced by a Stutz-built, sixteen-valve, four-cylinder unit that drew heavily on Stutz's racing experience. The Stutz "White Squadron" racers were powered by engines featuring four valves per cylinder; the potential increase in performance over a traditional two-valve motor was made clear!
The new, more advanced motor demanded an improved car. Stutz responded with a heavier chassis to cope with the power as well as attractive modern coachwork. Still built on a short and light 120" chassis, the new model would move the center of gravity even lower by placing the tank down low in the rear, with a rear deck fitted to hold a couple of raked spares in racing fashion. This redesign produced a menacing looking machine, and would bestow upon the Bearcat its second golden era. Challenged only by its fierce rival, the Mercer Raceabout, the Bearcat represented the ultimate in American sporting cars of the time.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Offered here is a truly exceptional, amazingly original example of one of the most iconic American cars of all time. This time-warp Bearcat is the car (and tale) every car enthusiast dreams of - laid up for 80 years without anyone knowing about it and having only covered approximately 10,000 miles since new!
This Bearcat was purchased new at the Boston, Massachusetts Stutz agency in 1921 by a high-ranking Army Officer of the Medical Corps. Upon a transfer to Silver Springs, Maryland, the officer drove his beloved Bearcat to his new commission. A map detailing driving routes to this location was amazingly found in the car. After his time in Maryland, he was relocated to Georgia in 1931, the Stutz was again his ride of choice to his new home.
Wayne Carini, noted car sleuth and host of television's Chasing Classic Cars was tipped off to the possibility of a mysterious Stutz Bearcat in Georgia. Without hesitation, he immediately went in search of this incredible prize. The car was ultimately discovered at the former estate of its original owner - it had been given to the caretaker and untouched for decades. While inspecting the car, the Bearcat was partly disassembled in an attempt to perform a routing de-carb job. However, it was ultimately decided to be kept in wonderfully preserved, original condition. Without hesitation, Mr. Carini negotiated purchase for the Bearcat, and the car was immediately transported to his shop in Connecticut.
Upon arrival, the Bearcat was carefully inspected and its contents inventoried. The car's condition and originality was staggering; nothing had been modified or changed on the car, and all original components appeared to be preserved in place. The car had every sign of being the 10,000-mile car the odometer claimed. The contents of the car proved even more fascinating - a bag from the Stutz agency in Boston, maps to Maryland, and most remarkably of all, the car's original handwritten build tag with all of the Bearcat's serial numbers was discovered tucked under the front seat - no other tags like this have ever been reported discovered!
Upon the car's arrival in Connecticut, the decision was ultimately made to attempt to get the Bearcat running. Mr. Carini decided to send the car to Bonhams Motoring Specialist and Stutz aficionado, Evan Ide. While at Evan's shop, the oil pan was removed and cleaned, its water pump rebuilt with a new shaft, a full valve job performed, and a new head gasket sourced and installed along with a revived ignition system. Upon further inspection, the cam follower guides were swollen and cracked, so a new set was produced from bearing bronze by Holman Engineering.
Further cleaning and careful stabilization of the cosmetics were also undertaken. Delicate areas of the upholstery were strengthened, having sourced original leather in order to carefully repair some rodent damage. The exterior paint was carefully cleaned and the original top was brushed to remove dirt and dust from years of storage. As the fuel tank was covered in well preserved original paint, a decision was made to fabricate a second tank that could be stored in the compartment behind the front seat. A tank of approximately three gallons was fabricated from aluminum, which allowed the original pressure delivery system to be employed and thus eliminating the need for a modern fuel pump.
It should be noted that every possible attempt was made to do the work without disturbing the originality and patina of this remarkable car. It would all pay off, and after several months of effort, the Stutz once again ran - and oh how it runs! With the Bearcat now running flawlessly, it was ready to be debuted to the world at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The Bearcat proved to be a hit. Not only were crowds flocking to see the car throughout the day, it was also awarded the FIVA prize for the most significant original pre-war car! For Mr. Carini, the "chase" and discovery of his career-defining motorcar was extraordinarily special, but the journey of the Stutz from purchase to Pebble Beach is equally impressive. These events were recently documented in a special one-hour season-premiere episode named, Hey There, Hot Stutz. The episode became one of the most watched in the program's history, and received wide acclaim.
As the Bearcat sits today, the big T-head engine will idle down to around 50rpm, but with the slightest crack of the throttle, it immediately barks to life. The music coming out of the large exhaust cutout is magical! On the road, the Stutz is remarkable - having no squeaks or rattles, practically tight and sharp in the way only an all-original, low mileage car can be. Since being recommissioned, the car has been enjoyed for roughly 1,500 miles, bringing the total mileage driven since new to just shy of 11,500.
Of all the cars Wayne Carini has discovered over the years, he considers this to be his ultimate find. The fact that a Stutz Bearcat - one of the greatest prizes in collecting since the hobby has existed and paired with its success in alluding discovery for 80 years and wonderfully preserved in such remarkable condition surely makes for a great story. One would be hard-pressed to score a better find today! As such, this should easily be considered the most original Bearcat in existence, and a truly exceptional example of one of the greatest icons of American motoring.
◊ Special formalities are required to bid on this lot. Contact Client Services at +1 (212) 644 9001 or [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance of the auction for registration and bidding options.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
