1929 Stutz Model M Four-Passenger Speedster

The Stutz marque was a low-production company that built a reputation for its speed and performance. Their 'White Squadron' racing team had a very successful reputation in the American racing scene during the teens, and the Bearcat has always been considered one of the great icons of motoring.

Over the years, the company experienced many highs and lows, and Harry C. Stutz eventually lost control of his company. Fred Moskovics took over the reins, and fortunately for the company, he was equally visionary and brilliant as the man he replaced. Moskovics took it upon himself to produce an American car that could rival the world's best. He surrounded himself with a team of talented engineers, most notably Charles 'Pop' Greuter. His expertise included building and designing engines, and he was fascinated with the potential of overhead cam valve trains. His design for Excelsior of an over-head cam straight-eight would prove the basis for the new Stutz Eight. It was a chain-driven overhead cam unit with ten main bearings, dual ignition, dual throat carburetion, and cross-flow porting.

To realize the potential of the new engine, a new chassis had to be built. By using a Timken worm drive rear axle, the whole chassis was able to be lowered considerably. Braking was initially handled by Timken hydrostatic then Lockheed hydraulics with oversized finned drums on all four wheels. The transmission would be first by a three-speed Warner, then a four-speed Detroit Gear unit. Stutz eventually went back to the three-speed Warner in 1931.

The new Eight-Cylinder 'Safety Stutz' won every American Stock Car race entered in 1928 and was declared World's Champion. Two custom Blackhawk Speedster bodies were penned by Le Baron to take full advantage of the performance. The four-passenger speedster body was designed and built so Stutz would have a car eligible for racing that required four seats.

At the time, the 24 Hours of LeMans required passenger cars with four seats and a top. Although relatively unknown to the American public, a French Stutz agent entered the Stock Stutz Blackhawk Four-Passenger Speedster in the 1928 event. It was the only Stutz entered, and it held the lead for much of the race. Unfortunately, the Stutz finished second after losing high gear late in the race.

This 1929 Stutz Speedster features the 'Challenger' engine, used at LeMans, with better head porting and improved performance and flexibility. There is a four-speed transmission that only 1929 and 1930 model Stutz's have. Braking is handled by vacuum-boosted Lockheed units.

The Four-Passenger, Dual-Cowl Speedster body was created by LeBaron. With a nod to the European grand tourers, it features cut-down doors, a close-coupled body design, and dual cowls.

This car was once part of the AK Miller collection. Since its extraction in 1996, this Stutz has been given a full restoration.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017