1932 Stutz Model DV-32

When Harry Stutz left the Stutz Motor Car Company, it came under the direction of Hungarian-born engineer Fredrick Moskovics. Under his leadership, the Stutz car was completely redesigned, with a new six-cylinder overhead cam engine, a double-drop chassis frame, and worm gear rear axle. The cars rode several inches lower than their competitors, had four-wheel hydraulic brakes, had safety glass, and were somewhat boxy in shape. These new vehicles became known as the 'Safety Stutz' with the 'Vertical 8' engine.

In the mid-1920s, Stutz returned to racing with their new engine. Their first competition was the Stevens Challenge Trophy race of 1927 for closed-body production cars. The Stutz averaged 68.44 miles per hour during the 24-hour race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, earning the Stevens Trophy. This was an amazing accomplishment, considering its heavy, steel-body construction. Stutz soon added an aluminum-bodied, two-passenger speedster known as the Black Hawk to their model lineup. This model would win the AAA Stock Car Championship of 1927, winning every race in which it was entered.

Racing for Stutz soon ended after driver Frank Lockhart was killed at Daytona while driving a Black Hawk Special race car. Privateers, such as Charles Weymann, inventor of the Weymann fabric body construction, continued to use Stutz cars in racing, having entered one in the LeMans race. Edouard Brisson, a veteran LeMans contestant, was tasked with driving the Stutz for the Weymann racing team.

The Stutz gained the lead at the sixth hour and would hold onto the position into the night. Eventually, a Bentley passed the Stutz, leaving it in second place. Both the Bentley and the Stutz had set records for 24 hours on a closed circuit course.

In 1931, Stutz introduced a new dual-valve engine. The DV-32, meaning 'Dual Valve', was the old Vertical Eight updated with twin overhead cams. Power was impressive, rated at 156 brake horsepower, it was a very efficient engine in terms of horsepower per cubic inch.

With the introduction of this new powerplant, Stutz returned to their roots and revived the Bearcat name. What had been the MA-28 Torpedo Speedster became the 'DV-28' Bearcat in mid-1931. It was given a 134.5-inch wheelbase and had seating for two. This new model was soon joined by an even faster Super Bearcat with an ultra-light Weymann fabric body. This new vehicle had a wheelbase of just 116 inches with a convertible body and roll-up windows. Where the Bearcat had few creature comforts, the Super Bearcat was given all the amenities available.

For 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression, only 384 Stutz models were produced. 1932 would see production fall even further, to just 120 units. Similar production figures followed for 1933, and a mere six were created in 1934. The end was near, even though the company was announcing the availability of cars in 1936.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019