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1932 Stutz Model DV-32 Super Bearcat

  • Coachwork by Weymann
  • Chassis Number: DV-SB-1486
  • Engine Number: DV33194
  • Body Number: Frame No: 1468
Stutz Motor Company was established in 1911 under the name of Ideal Motor Car Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. The following year Stutz would come into being. Though the company would only carry on production until 1935, the company would earn a strong reputation for itself producing powerful luxury cars for the elite of society.

Roadsters like the Bearcat would establish the Stutz name among the very best. Sporting a number of innovations and impressive performance, the Stutz would be a valid race car, as well as an early sportscar available to the public.

But if the Bearcat wasn't enough, then the Super Bearcat was able to fill in the gaps. Based upon the DV-32 engine, a technologically advanced and powerful powerplant, the Super Bearcat was a development of a Stutz developed for Le Mans to demonstrate the power of the new engine. The Super Bearcat, therefore, was a showcase for Stutz.

The Super Bearcat would use an overhead cam engine, a four-speed transmission, a low chassis, and fabric coachwork, making it every bit the competitor to the European grand tourers of the day.

Chassis DV-SB-1486 remains a remarkable example of the Super Bearcat. Still bearing its original Weymann fabric skin, this particular example has been a part of a number of collections over the years. Dr. Frederick Simeone would come to own the car at one part and would make the Super Bearcat a prime feature within his impressive collection of Stutz automobiles.

Simeone would decide to part with the car, and it would then pass into the hands of William Ruger. Ruger, famed for Sturm, Ruger, and Co., would be well known for his own collection of automobiles, especially Stutz, and 1,486 made a valuable contribution to the assembly.

Ruger would retain the Super Bearcat until his passing. At that time, the car was still very original. Over the course of the last decade, the car has undergone some restoration and rebuilding efforts, including rebuilding the brake system and installing a high-ratio gear assembly. A new stainless steel exhaust captures the wonderful note coming from the DV-32 engine, offering an aural indication of the power under the long, narrow hood.

Factory correct from its crank-hole cover and running boards to its original fabric skin and engine, this Super Bearcat is a veritable step back into time and a great demonstrator of what made Stutz great for its couple of decades of existence.

All other examples of the Super Bearcat reside in major collections making this example certain to garner attention. The place where the public would have the opportunity to see and buy the Stutz Super Bearcat would come at the 2015 Bonhams auction in Amelia Island, Florida, in the middle of March.

Boasting an incredible provenance and such high originality, this early American sports car would garner worthy praise and estimates ranging from between $850,000 and $1,200,000.

By Jeremy McMullen

2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,300,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,930,000

2015 Bonhams Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $850,000-USD $1,200,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,012,000

1932 Stutz Model DV-32 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Stutz Model DV-32

(Data based on Model Year 1932 sales)
1932 Stutz DV-32 Tonneau Cowl Four-Passenger Speedster by LeBaron
Chassis#: DV-26-1474
Sold for USD$190,400
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV-32 Weymann Super Bearcat
Chassis#: DV-SB-1361
Sold for USD$731,000
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV32 Custom Roadster
Chassis#: DV33138
Sold for USD$106,400
  2022 Bonhams : The Audrain Concours Auction
 
1932 Stutz DV-32 Super Bearcat by Weymann
Chassis#: DV-SB-1486
Sold for USD$1,930,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Victoria by Rollston
Chassis#: DV-PC-1452
Sold for USD$863,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe by LeBaron
Chassis#: DV-128-2012
Sold for USD$544,000
  2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV32 Tonneau Cowl Four-Passenger Speedster by LeBaron
Chassis#: DV-26-1474
Sold for USD$522,500
  2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV-32 Super Bearcat Convertible
Chassis#: DV-SB-1486
Sold for USD$1,012,000
  2015 Bonhams Amelia Island Auction
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV32 Convertible Sedan by LeBaron
Chassis#: DV-42-1450
Sold for USD$154,000
  2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: DV-128-2012
Sold for USD$522,500
  2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV-32 Super Bearcat
Chassis#: DV33068
Sold for USD$539,000
  2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz Model DV-32
Sold for USD$594,000
  2009 Automobiles of Arizona
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: DV33001
Sold for USD$781,000
  2005 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona
1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 image  
1932 Stutz DV-32 Hollywood Sport
Sold for USD$78,100
  2004 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona
 

Stutz Model DV-32s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1932 Stutz Model DV-32's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1932 Stutz DV-32 Four Passenger SpeedsterDV-26-14542024 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction $650,000$800,000
1932 Stutz DV-32 Tonneau Cowl Four-Passenger Speedster by LeBaronDV-26-14742023 RM Sothebys : Hershey $225,000$275,000
1932 STUTZ DV32 LEBARON SEDANDV-60-14482015 Keno Brothers : NY Auto$95,000$150,000$350,000
1932 Stutz DV32 Four Door Sedan 2010 Auctions America : Auburn Collector Car Auction$130,000  
1932 Stutz DV-32 2010 Leake Auctions Tulsa, Oklahoma$130,000  

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1932 Stutz Model DV-32 vehicle thumbnail image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1932 Stutz Model DV-32 vehicle thumbnail image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 vehicle thumbnail image  
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1932 Stutz Model DV-32 vehicle thumbnail image  1932 Stutz Model DV-32 vehicle thumbnail image  

1932 Stutz Model DV-32

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