To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 8 - 9
March 2019.
Estimate:
$750,000 - $1,000,000
- Offered from a private collection
- One of five built to this design on DV-32 chassis
- Formerly of the Imperial Palace and Michael Calore
collections
- Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and Classic Car Club
of America (CCCA) 100-point Senior First Prize winner
- CCCA Full Classic
- Simply put, one of the ultimate Stutzes of its era
THE ROLLSTON STUTZ
Many of the finest bespoke creations on Stutz chassis were produced
by the Rollston Company of New York City, who, for three decades,
was Manhattan's most prestigious coachbuilder. Rollston produced an
astonishingly diverse portfolio of work, encompassing everything
from fleet roadsters to massive town cars, which were all
distinguished by exceptional build quality and priced
accordingly.
Rollston's design no. 159, a convertible Victoria for the Stutz
chassis, was drawn on 30 December 1930, as the rest of New York
City likely prepared for the New Year, as is noted in a letter on
file from Rollston heir Bill Creteur. This design had been
originally developed in Europe in the early 1920s and then
popularized in the U.S. by Waterhouse and, later, Rollston, who
continued producing it after Waterhouse folded. The style was
distinguished by a formal top with no rear quarter windows,
providing a sheltered perch for rear-seat passengers when the top
was raised. When lowered, however, the top would lie flat into a
scooped "notch" behind the doors, giving the Rollston convertible
Victoria a smooth, clean contour across the beltline. Long doors
and a lowered windscreen served to accentuate the length and
elegance of the design.
According to Creteur's letter, five convertible Victorias were
eventually built to this design on the ultimate Stutz DV-32
chassis. With its double-overhead-cam engine with hemispherical
combustion chambers, it was capable of producing 156 hp.
CHASSIS NUMBER DV-PC-1452
Long known to Stutz enthusiasts as a genuine DV-32 example, this
car was reportedly originally shipped to New York. In the early
1950s it was found in a parking garage in the Bronx, thought to
have been left behind after its owner was killed in action during
World War II. Acquired by Dr. Art Burrichter, it was eventually
acquired by the famous Imperial Palace Auto Collections of Las
Vegas and was exhibited in their museum, as well as featured as one
of their finest cars in the book, A Century of Automotive Style by
Henry Rasmussen.
Eventually the car was sold from the Imperial Palace to Michael
Calore of Rhode Island, who began its restoration. Shortly
thereafter it was acquired by the current owner, who continued the
work at the hands of respected restorer, John Greenleif of Oxford,
Maine. Mr. Greenleif researched the car's history and painstakingly
restored it to correct and original condition, in this striking
color scheme of ivory with a bronze chassis and wheels, tan leather
upholstery, and khaki soft top.
Following completion of the restoration in 2001, the car was
exhibited in AACA National competition, securing a Senior First
Prize in its division. It was also judged at a perfect 100 points
in Classic Car Club of America judging at the 2008 New Hampshire
Grand Classic, receiving its Senior badge no. 2636. The restoration
is beautifully preserved and is ready for continued concours
competition with a new owner.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
