Vehicle Description
As the son of a farmer, Harry C. Stutz grew up tinkering with
mechanical objects. Prior to the turn of the twentieth century,
young Stutz was repairing and improving implements on his family
farm and he soon became enthralled with the burgeoning world of
motorized transport. He left home to pursue an engineering
education, and in 1897, built his first motorcar, following that
with a second that was powered by an engine of his own design and
manufacture! He quickly earned a stellar reputation for his talents
and was known as a driven, creative, innovator. Stutz landed a job
with the American Motor Car Company where he was charged with
designing an engine for their most famous model, the Underslung.
After a brief spell with American, Harry Stutz formed his own
company called "Ideal Motor Car Company" based in Indianapolis,
Indiana. The first Stutz automobile, the Model A, which served as
the basis for the Bearcat, was built in just five weeks in 1911,
and delivered across town to compete in the inaugural Indianapolis
500 Mile Race. An 11th place finish with Gil Anderson behind the
wheel earned the slogan: "The Car That Made Good in a Day." Later
that summer, manufacture of the Stutz Model A, a road-going
duplicate of the proven Indy racer, began in earnest. Stutz was
keen to take advantage of marketing opportunities, with a Stutz
Bearcat roadster serving as the pace car at the 1912 Indianapolis
500. The Ideal Motor Car Company was reorganized into the Stutz
Motor Company and the Model A evolved into the Bearcat for 1912.
The first series Bearcat was a pared down racer-for-the-road with a
light body, monocle windscreen and a pair of bucket seats; in the
same ilk as its fierce competitor, the Mercer Raceabout. Early cars
were powered by a massive T-Head four-cylinder engine supplied by
Wisconsin Engines, but later cars received an advanced four
cylinder, sixteen valve engine of Stutz's own design. This new 360
cubic inch engine, which was derived from that of the White
Squadron racers, necessitated an all new chassis to cope with the
additional power. The Bearcat's redesigned chassis was stronger
than before, yet still relatively light and quite short at just
120". Clothing the new framework and engine was an updated, stylish
body that was more in keeping with the times. Still overtly sporty,
with a single rear mounted spare and no doors, Stutz now offered
the Bearcat with reasonable weather equipment and full road trim.
The Bearcat came to define Stutz as a brand as well as a car that
personified "The Roaring Twenties", evoking images of young men in
raccoon coats flying Ivy League pennants on their prized sports
cars. Today they remain massively collectible as few survived the
flogging they often received at the hands of their enthusiastic,
blue-blooded young owners. This exceptional 1920 Stutz Bearcat
Series H has been treated to a very high quality restoration and
presents in outstanding order. It wears a fabulous color scheme of
a dark red main body over black fenders highlighted by a bright red
chassis and elephant gray Buffalo wire wheels. The 2003 restoration
has been well documented with many photos included. It has since
been meticulously maintained and remains in beautiful order.
Included documents show it was once owned by a General Motors
executive and also spent a great deal of time in the hands of
Raymond Katzell, author of the definitive marque reference, "The
Splendid Stutz". The paint work is excellent with very straight
panels and very high quality fit and finish. Originally, the
Bearcat was unadorned with heavy brightwork and this example is
correctly presented with a black painted radiator shell, polished
nickel rings and black-painted barrels on the Stutz headlamps, and
a period correct nickel spot lamp on the driver's side. A
Stutz-branded Moto Meter sits atop the radiator and the gated
shifter and handbrake lever are mounted outside the cockpit for the
ultimate road-racer feel. The cozy two-place cockpit is trimmed in
black leather which remains in excellent order. Ingress and egress
are via the passenger side running board and a secondary step
plate, which cleverly features an embossed leather pad to protect
the body from scuffs when climbing aboard. Compared to earlier
models, the series H did have reasonable weather equipment with a
full width windscreen and a folding canvas top, and the fitment is
exemplary on this Bearcat. Impressive detailing and presentation
continues under the bonnet. Stutz's fabulous 360 cubic inch,
16-valve four-cylinder produces 83 horsepower and is undoubtedly
the centerpiece of this wonderful automobile. Our fine example is
correctly finished with a green cylinder block, bare alloy
crankcase and plenty of beautifully polished brass and alloy. It
presents in very good condition, runs beautifully, and while it is
showing some signs of use since the restoration was completed, it
remains very attractive. The chassis and undercarriage are
similarly detailed, showing in beautiful condition, reflective of
the quality of restoration and careful use this Bearcat has
received since. Harry C. Stutz is one of the great automotive
pioneers who should be considered among the greats alongside Ettore
Bugatti, Harry Miller and the Duesenberg Brothers. His passion was
reflected in the exquisite quality and performance of the cars that
bore his name. This outstanding example of one of the most
desirable models in Stutz history remains in showable condition,
and would certainly be an outstanding touring companion given its
performance and gorgeous presentation.