1921 Stutz Series K Bearcat

Just after completion the prototype Bearcat racer, Harry C. Stutz sent it to compete in the 1911 inaugural Indianapolis 500 race. Even though it was untested, the car performed remarkably well, earning Stutz the slogan, 'The Car That Made Good in a Day.'

The Bearcat was first offered to the public in 1912. Essentially a road-going version of the Stutz racer that competed at Indy, it had two bucket seats and no convertible top or windshield. It had a low-slung chassis and a lightweight design. Power was initially provided by a Wisconsin T-head engine that was later replaced by a Stutz-built, sixteen-valve, four-cylinder unit. The Stutz 'White Squadron' racers were powered by engines featuring four valves per cylinder.

This particular example is made even more extraordinary by the fact that it is in the possession of the original purchaser's family. It was purchased new in 1921 by John Wheeler at what was likely a Stutz agency in San Francisco. It came equipped with an extended shift lever, leather hood bridle, and a wire stone guard. In the 1970s, the original purchaser's son, B.C. 'Short' Wheeler, treated the car to a five-year restoration by an Ex-Harrah's Auto Collection restorer Everett Adams in Sparks, Nevada. Upon completion it won 'Best of Show in the first event it was shown. Over the years that followed, it was shown at car events on the West Coast, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The car has continued to be used sparingly and well maintained. The four-decade-old restoration remains in good condition. The engine is a 360 cubic-inch T-head 16-valve 4-cylinder unit fitted with a Single Stromberg carburetor and offering 88 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transaxle and rear drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2018