1923 Stutz Speedway Four

The Bearcats are renowned for their capabilities and proven racing performance. A prototype Stutz Bearcat was entered into the 1911 International Sweepstakes race, now known as the Indianapolis 500. Racers raced around the 2.5-mile dirt track 200 times. In the end, the Stutz had managed an impressive 11th-place finish. The following year, the Bearcat was released to the public in a nearly identical configuration. Privateers quickly began amassing victories in all types of racing events. The reputation of the Stutz Motor Car Company quickly began to escalate, and before long, thousands of vehicles had been produced.

Harry C. Stutz left his company in 1919 but continued in the automotive business. He formed the Stutz Fire Company and the H.C.S. Motor Car Company. The car company continued to produce performance machines, though slightly more refined than the stripped-down racers of the past.

This 1923 Stutz Bearcat is powered by a KLDH-T 365 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine, capable of producing nearly 90 horsepower. The engine is accompanied by a three-speed manual transaxle.

A year later, the Bearcat model line was treated to even more horsepower and aerodynamic features. A six-cylinder engine provided superior power over its four-cylinder predecessor. The example shown here, with its four-cylinder unit, is a competitive machine but still retains a degree of sophistication and comfort.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2006