Sedan
Chassis number: 4212
On May 30th, 1911, a car designed by Harry Clayton Stutz competed in the inaugural Indianapolis 500. The car did not win - that honor went to Ray Harroun in a Marmon - but did finish in 11th place. This was an impressive accomplishment, especially considering that the car had been completed just days before the race. The accomplishment would spark the 'Car That Made Good in a Day' slogan. Their popularity would continue to grow with legendary models such as the Bearcat Speedster, with a massive 390 cubic-inch T-head, four-cylinder engine.
A short time after the Indy race, Stutz could be seen campaigning at the Fairmount Park in Philadelphia and the Santa Monica road course in California. In 1912, a Stutz would earn its first win at Bakersfield, which was followed by two more at San Jose. Earl Cooper took 4th at Santa Monica, presaging a racing career that would extend to 1928. He won seven of eight major races in 1913, and with Gil Anderson and Howdy Wilcox, he made up the driving contingent of the famed White Squadron racing team from 1915 to 1917.
The White Squadron was comprised of several specially designed overhead-camshaft, four-valve-per-cylinder racing cars that were painted in white. The drivers and mechanics were similarly attired in white coveralls. The team would achieve an enviable record, despite being handicapped somewhat by Harry Stutz's insistence on using standard passenger car gearing. The team would win awards for consistency and for setting several long-distance records.
The Bearcat model was certainly the most popular and memorable Stutz model, the company did build roadsters and touring cars from the very beginning and then sedans from 1915 onward. Many of these were powered by the same Wisconsin four-valve, twin-ignition T-head engine and transaxle gearbox found in the Bearcat.
The Bulldog Tourer was introduced in 1915, and it was extended in 1916 as the Bulldog Special. The Bulldog Special rested on a wheelbase that had been stretched 10 inches to 130 inches. They were given a wood-finish vanity cabinet in the rear compartment, aluminum trim in the front and rear, and Hartford shock absorbers. Disregarding the wheelbase size and the additional amenities, the Bulldog Special was very similar to the Bearcat.
This Bulldog Special is one of the few remaining cars in existence. Few have survived, as many were cut down to become Bearcat replicas. This example was found in the 19960s and currently shows just 29,000 miles. It is believed to be original and has been treated to a high-quality restoration. It was rewarded with an AACA National First Award in 1962. In the 1970s, it was sold to James Hanks of Kentucky, in whose family it stayed until its acquisition by the present owner in the late 2000s.
by Dan Vaughan