EDITORIAL: Thirty years after the Stutz Motor Company was declared bankrupt, the rights were purchased by James O’Donnel, a shrewd businessman. He used the name Stutz to build a range of cars that had nothing to do with the pre-war models, but were remarkable automobiles. The body with its original neo-classic styling was designed by Chrysler’s chief stylist Virgil Exner, who was responsible for such exotic automobiles as the the Bugatti
Type 101. Based on the Pontiac lay-out with the
Pontiac V8 engine, the new Stutzes were made in Italy. Perhaps
too flashy for European taste, all were shipped to the U.S. Most of them were two-door coupés that retained the once famous name Blackhawk. Horribly expensive when new, the only people who could afford the Stutz were the rich and famous. Elvis Presley had one and so did Muhammad Ali. These days the Stutz is rather undervalued, but we suspect it won’t be long before prices start to rocket. Fancy one? Find this Stutz at
Victory Cars in Florida!
(RB)