1929 Stutz Model 6 Blackhawk Rumbleseat Roadster

In 1911, the Stutz Automobile Company was founded as the Ideal Motor Car Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. A car was entered in the Indianapolis 500 race and finished in a very impressive 11th place. This sparked the birth of the famous slogan, 'The Car That Made Good in a Day.' The designer was Harry C. Stutz, an American automotive engineer, who quickly capitalized on the vehicle's racing accomplishment and its proven dependability. The public responded by buying various road versions of the racer, and soon production could not keep pace with demand.

The company was renamed the Stutz Motor Company in 1912 and focused on selling high-performance roadsters.

Harry C. Stutz built his first automobile at the very early age of 21. The car began life as a buggy, which Stutz morphed into a motorcar. It was given a homemade engine, chain drive, and the name 'Old Hickory.' His career took him to several prominent marques throughout the years, where he enthusiastically did all he could to learn about the inter-workings of the automobile. He was employed by a tire corporation, a carburetor company, and a transmission firm.

He built his second car in 1905, called the American Underslung. It had a chassis that hung below the axles, which afforded the car superior stability and excellent handling. It had a straight drive shaft to the rear axle.

Stutz worked as chief engineer with the Marion Motor Car Company for a number of years before departing to create his own automobile.

The production Stutz Automobile was available with a six-cylinder engine and in either Torpedo or Torpedo Roadster configuration. The demand for these vehicles was great; especially when a Stutz won the American road race championship in 1913. A year later, he introduced the Bearcat, a vehicle that would amass more wins than any other car of that period. It was a fast and dependable model offered in both four- and six-cylinder configurations. It came equipped with dual ignition as standard, large brakes, and a rugged frame.

In the early 1920s, the Stutz Company had three main investors, one of them was Charles M. Schwab, who gained control of the company in 1922. Mr. Frederick Ewan Moskowics was brought in a year later, in 1923. Mr. Moskowics's resume includes work at Daimler Benz, Marmon, and Franklin. Under Moskowic's guidance, the company was redirected to focus on safety. Among the new features of the Stutz automobiles was safety glass, a low center of gravity for better handling, and a hill-holding transmission called 'Noback.' Under the bonnet was a DOHC 32-valve V8 engine, making it one of the earliest multi-valve engines.

The Stutz marque continued to prove its products in racing and endurance competition. In 1927, a Stutz set a world record for speed, averaging 68 mph for 24 hours. At LeMans in 1928, a Stutz completed the 24 Hour race in second place. This would be the best finish for an American car until 1966. In 1929, a Stutz finished in fifth at LeMans.

The Stutz Company would remain in production until 1935, when the troubles caused by the Great Depression forced it to close its doors forever. A total of 35,000 Stutz cars had been manufactured. Today, the Indianapolis factory that was once used for producing Stutz cars is now home to more than eighty artists, sculptors, photographers, designers, architects, and craftsmen.

This Model 6 Blackhawk Rumbleseat Roadster is powered by the original six-cylinder engine which is capable of about 85 horsepower. It is finished in two-tone black and green and appears to be of an older restoration that has held up rather well considering the passage of time. It has a burgundy interior with all gauges and dials still in working condition.

This car has four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, safety glass, running boards, factory turn signals, factory windshield wipers, and dual side-mount tires.

This 1929 Stutz Blackhawk Rumbleseat Roadster was offered for sale at the 2007 Worldwide Group Auction held at Hilton Head Island, SC, where it was estimated to sell for $80,000 - $120,000. It was offered without reserve. At the auction, the estimated value proved accurate as the car was sold for $95,200, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007