Vehicle Description
Serial No. DV-21-1345
Engine No. DV33019-G
Body No. 140-284
Indianapolis automaker Stutz first made a name for itself in the
inaugural Indianapolis 500, when one of the company's first cars
finished a highly credible eleventh place - a commemoration of
Harry C. Stutz's skill at designing and building fine cars. Through
the next two decades, the firm produced many memorable automobiles,
with their crowning achievement being the DV-32, their excellent
Vertical Eight with a new dual overhead-cam cylinder head with four
valves per cylinder.
Stutz offered the DV-32, a high-performance machine considered a
"baby Duesenberg" of sorts in its era, with an utterly dizzying
roster of elegantly designed and handsomely constructed bodies,
nearly two dozen styles produced on three different lengths of
chassis. The example offered here is the more close-coupled of the
several available five-passenger sedans, built on the
134�-inch-wheelbase frame. It was formerly one of numerous Stutzes
in the infamous A.K. Miller collection in West Orange, Vermont. Mr.
Miller began gathering and accumulating Stutzes in lean-tos on his
rural property during the 1930s and eventually became a mysterious,
eccentric, but famed source of Stutz know-how and parts. The sale
of his collection at auction in 1996 was a landmark event, still
well-remembered for its record-setting prices and general level of
hoopla.
The Stutz was later owned by John Lory of Hollywood, Florida, who
undertook a meticulous restoration and exhibited the car at the
CCCA's Florida Grand Classic in 2007, earning 99.5 points and a
Primary First Place. It was acquired several years later for the
Gateway Automobile Museum's collection.
Finished in medium blue with a darker blue beltline and fenders
striped in straw yellow, the Stutz is equipped with Ryanlite
headlamps, body-color wheels with chromed spokes, dual sidemounted
spares with mirrors, vacuum wipers, trunk rack, and dual
taillights. Atop the radiator shell is Stutz's famous mascot, Ra,
the Egyptian sun god. The interior features a rear-view mirror with
a clock, all original gauges within a burled wooden veneer
dashboard, and an impressive Bakelite steering wheel. Upholstery
throughout is tan Bedford Cord, including the rear compartment with
its folding armrest, concealing a small storage compartment, and
adjustable footrest. The rear quarter windows are equipped with
shades but can also be cranked open to provide ventilation on
tours, a thoughtful and welcome touch.
Inspection shows that the car retains an original-style radiator
core, as well as some of its original body wood, with the body
number still being visible stamped in one of the sills. Further it
is equipped with stainless exhaust and the original Bijur oiling
system. At the time of cataloging, the car had recorded 65,637
miles.
A wonderful Stutz both to display and to enjoy, this would be a
highly suitable example for CCCA CARavans in the coming year, where
it would often be one of the few DV-32s participating. It
demonstrates the superb engineering and inventive thought that
characterized the Car That Made Good in a Day, right up to the very
end.
Addendum & Administrative Notes
Please note that this lot is titled by its engine number.
Collection Guarantee Disclosure
Please note that as part of a larger collection to be offered at
live and online auctions, the Consignor of the Gateway Collection
has been guaranteed a minimum price for certain cars, including
this Lot, by Broad Arrow. Depending on the final Hammer Price
obtained for those Lots, Broad Arrow may benefit financially.
