1933 Stutz SV-16

Sold for $52,800 at 2014 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction.
The inaugural Indianapolis 500 race was held in 1911 and was called the international Sweepstakes race. In modern times, the 500-mile race takes around three hours; back in 1911, traveling 500 miles took much longer to complete the 200 laps of the 2.5-mile oval. It required nearly a full day of racing to get to the checkered flag. The car designed and constructed by Harry C. Stutz crossed the finish line in a very impressive 11th place. The car had no formal testing and the pit stops it made throughout the race were for only tires and fuel.

The Stutz had been entered in the race as a promotional tool and to prove the durability and capability of the vehicle. After it managed to finish the race, and in fine form, the famous slogan 'The Car That Made Good in a Day' was born.

Within a few years and with a little refinement, the Stutz Bearcats were a dominant force in many racing scenes. The factory-backed racing team, called the White Squadron, accumulated numerous victories in 1915, including the grueling Elgin race, Minneapolis, Point Loma, and Sheepshead Bay. At the Indianapolis 500 in 1915, Bearcats finished in third, fourth, and seventh place.

The Stutz line had racing in its DNA, and it would never abandon its sporting heritage. Even after Harry Stutz eventually lost control of his firm, an equally visionary and brilliant individual would continue his work. That man was Fred Moskovics, who had an impressive reputation working at Marmon. Under his leadership, the Stutz Vertical Eight was introduced in 1926. In 1932, the popular Vertical Eight was renamed the 'SV-16'.

Unfortunately, like so many other automakers, the Great Depression took its toll on sales.

This particular SV-16 was built in 1933, near the end of the production run. It was one of just 80 cars produced by the company that year and is, therefore, one of the last 100 Stutzes produced.

This is a five-passenger LeBaron-designed sedan with a low roofline, low-slung chassis, and short body. Power is from a 322 cubic-inch SOHC inline eight-cylinder engine fitted with a single carburetor. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014

The less powerful of the two Stutz Eights, the Stutz SV16, was introduced in 1932 and was produced until 1936. These were the final years of the Stutz motor company. With only 113 hp, the SV16 did feature two long chassis that carried the same luxurious bodies much like the famous DV32, and a twin-ignition engine much like the more contemporary Nash unit. It wasn't a particularly light automobile, weighing in at over two tons.

The body itself of the Stutz SV 16 was magnificent and all Stutz models are CCCA Classics. Featuring graceful coachwork both open and closed, from 1932 until 1936, the Stutz SV16 was a beautiful automobile and there was also the existence of a Bearcat model. Weighing anywhere between 4,448 lbs and 5,346 lbs, the SV1 featured an OHC 1-8 engine, 322,0 CID and priced new ranged from $1,895 to $5,346. The SV16 was mechanically complex, and less than 300 units were ever produced.

Only 35,000 vehicles were ever produced during Stutz's 25-year history. All Stutz vehicles produced during the Classis Era from 1925 until 1948 are officially recognized as Full Classics TM, 'as defined by the Classic Car Club of America', as a final tribute.

By Jessica Donaldson