1932 Stutz Model DV-32 Convertible Sedan

The Stutz DV32 began as the Stutz Vertical Eight, which debuted in 1926. Since the company did not have the funds to design a completely new engine, they fine-tuned and upgraded their engine over the years. The DV32, which began as a 322 cubic-inch former BB engine that has been redesigned by Charles 'Pop' Greuter, to include double overhead camshafts and angled valves above the hemispherical combustion chambers. In this configuration, it earned the title, the 'Dual-Valve 32,' for its four valves per cylinder, with 32 in total. In this guise, the engine was capable of producing 156 horsepower, which was sent to the rear wheels via a Warner three-speed transmission. The engine was mounted in a short-wheelbase chassis and clothed in a lightweight body, giving a plethora of speed and performance.

Around 200 examples of the DV32 were delivered during Stutz's dwindling days of operation, which came to a close in 1935.

This particular example wears an aluminum body by LeBaron in a four-passenger speedster configuration. This body style was offered in two variations, with and without a tonneau cowl. This was the only 'dual cowl' phaeton style to be catalogued by Stutz for the DV32 chassis. It is believed that three DV32 Four-Passenger Speedsters survive today, of which two have the tonneau cowl.

The history of this car dates back to a San Francisco socialite and collector, Scott Newhall. Ownership later passed to Charles Jones, from whom the present owner acquired the car in 1990. The current caretaker spent five years exhaustively restoring the car back to its original condition. The work was completed in 1995, and the car was shown at that year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It became a CCCA Senior award winner at the California Summer Grand Classic in 1996, where it received badge number 2042. In 1998, it won First Place at the Silverado Concours d'Elegance.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2015