1933 Stutz SV-16 Sedan

The inaugural Indianapolis 500 race was held in 1911 and was called the international Sweepstakes race. In modern times, the 500-mile race takes around three hours; back in 1911, traveling 500 miles took much longer to complete the 200 laps of the 2.5-mile oval. It required nearly a full day of racing to get to the checkered flag. The car designed and constructed by Harry C. Stutz crossed the finish line in a very impressive 11th place. The car had no formal testing and the pit stops it made throughout the race were for only tires and fuel.

The Stutz had been entered in the race as a promotional tool and to prove the durability and capability of the vehicle. After it managed to finish the race, and in fine form, the famous slogan 'The Car That Made Good in a Day' was born.

Within a few years and with a little refinement, the Stutz Bearcats were a dominant force in many racing scenes. The factory-backed racing team, called the White Squadron, accumulated numerous victories in 1915, including the grueling Elgin race, Minneapolis, Point Loma, and Sheepshead Bay. At the Indianapolis 500 in 1915, Bearcats finished in third, fourth, and seventh place.

The Bearcats were minimalist vehicles with two seats, no protection from the elements, spare tires, and a large gas tank. They were lightweight and powerful and highly sought after by racing enthusiasts of its era.

The Stutz line had racing in its DNA, and it would never abandon its sporting heritage. Even after Harry Stutz eventually lost control of his firm, an equally visionary and brilliant individual would continue his work. That man was Fred Moskovics, who had an impressive reputation working at Marmon. Under his leadership, the Stutz Vertical Eight was introduced in 1926. In 1932, the popular Vertical Eight was renamed the 'SV-16'.

Unfortunately, like so many other automakers, the Great Depression took its toll on sales.

This particular SV-16 was built in 1933, near the end of the production run. It was one of just 80 cars produced by the company that year and is, therefore, one of the last 100 Stutzes produced.

This is a five-passenger LeBaron-designed sedan with a low roofline, low-slung chassis, and short body. Power is from a 322 cubic-inch SOHC inline eight-cylinder engine fitted with a single carburetor. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014