322ci SOHC Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
113bhp at 3,300rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Exceptionally well-preserved and highly original Stutz Cabriolet
*Winner of the FIVA Preservation Cup at the 2011 UNIQUES Concours d'Elegance in Florence
*Winner of the preservation and restoration class at the 2011 Castello di Miramare Concours d'Elegance in Triest/Italy
*Frame-Off Restoration, conserving the originality of the body
*Featuring desirable 4-speed gearbox and aluminium rear body

The Stutz Eight

Born in Indianapolis, it didn't take long for Stutz to prove they had racing in their DNA. At the inaugural Indy 500 Harry C. Stutz's first car, the Bearcat prototype, scored 11th place, well earning their slogan: "the car that made good in a day."

The Stutz Company went through many ups and downs and Harry C. Stutz eventually lost control of his company. Fortunately for the company, however, an equally visionary and brilliant man would come in to fill his shoes: Fred Moskovics. Moscovics had made a good reputation for himself in the auto industry, his period at Marmon had lead to their most charismatic and high performance products to date. Moskovics surrounded himself with a team of talented engineers, most notably Charles "Pop" Greuter. Greuter was an engine-man fascinated with the potential of over-head cam valve trains. His design for Excelsior of an over-head cam straight eight would prove the basis for the new Stutz Eight. This Eight was a marvel of sophistication: chain driven overhead cam, ten main bearings, dual ignition, dual-throat carburetion and cross flow porting.

The new 8-cylinder "Safety Stutz" proved to be a breakthrough. The 1928 model won every American Stock Car race entered and was declared World Champion. Two custom Blackhawk Speedster bodies were penned by Le Baron to take full advantage of the performance. The four-passenger speedster body was designed and built so Stutz would have a car eligible for racing that required four seats.

The most famous race requiring passenger cars with four seats and a top was the 24hrs of Le Mans. This now ubiquitous event was relatively unknown at the time in America but was considered the Super Bowl for road going cars. A French Stutz agent entered the Stock Stutz Blackhawk Four-Passenger Speedster in the 1928 event. It was the only Stutz entered, and it held the lead for much of the race, holding off an entire team of Works Bentleys. Unfortunately a loss of high gear late in the race forced the Stutz to finish second.


The Motorcar Offered

The Stutz on offer was purchased by the vendor, a lifelong enthusiast and collector of vintage American and Italian cars in Europe, at an auction in 2007. This stunning convertible, which boasts elegant LeBaron coachwork, was in remarkable original condition at the time of purchase, and thus it was decided that the car would embark on a sympathetic restoration that would preserve the outstanding originality of the car wherever possible.

The work was entrusted to Italian specialist restorers DIMAR in Tuscany, a company whose expertise is in conservative rather than radical restorations. During the course of the work the car was completely disassembled (the body was also removed from the chassis), every part was cleaned and polished by hand. The chrome parts were either just cleaned or where necessary re-chromed and subjected to an ageing process, so that they would blend in with the rest of the car.

The mechanical parts were comprehensively overhauled by another Italian specialist, Gianni Torelli's "Il Restauro" near Reggio Emilia in the Emilia Romagna province of Italy. Torelli overhauled the engine using new pistons, valves, connecting rods, etc. and the engine was bench-tested before being fitted back into the car. He also restored the original 4-speed gearbox, the differential, brakes, front and rear suspension as well as the exhaust system. The electrical equipment was revised at the same time, and all original instruments were made to work. It should also be noted that the original Philco radio was, and still is, fitted to the car.

The original interior leather has also been preserved and was just professionally cleaned, with just a few new pieces replaced where necessary. Noteworthy also is that the back part of the car is still fitted with aluminium body panels all around, a costly option when new. Correct new 20" tires have also been fitted. The original soft top proved too brittle to be used and was therefore replaced.

The result of this stunning conservative restoration was presented at the Concours d'Elegance 'Unique Special Ones' in Florence, and at the 2011 Concorso d'Eleganza Castello di Miramare, where this Stutz deservedly was awarded Best Preserved Car. Accompanying the car is a plethora of restoration photographs as well as a printed book with before and after pictures of the work performed. Surely a future contender in competitive preservation class concours judging, this handsome Stutz is ready for its next caretaker.