Offered from the Philip Reed Collection

1929 Stutz Series BB Two-Passenger Speedster

322ci SOHC Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Twin-Throat Carburetor
113bhp at 3,300rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Sophisticated Stutz Eight with overhead cam engine
*Stylish Speedster coachwork
*Great handling chassis with hydraulic brakes
*Welcomed at prestigious Concours events
*CCCA Full Classic

THE STUTZ SERIES BB

Despite always being a small, low production company, Stutz has always been well known for their speed and performance. They dominated American racing in the teens with the "White Squadron" racing team and the Bearcat has always been considered one of the great icons of motoring. Despite market trends, Stutz never abandoned its sporting heritage.

The Stutz Company went through many ups and downs and Harry C. Stutz eventually lost control of his company. Fortunately for the firm, however, an equally visionary and brilliant man would come in to fill his shoes: Fred Moskovics. Moscovics had made a good reputation for himself in the auto industry, his period at Marmon had led to their most charismatic and high-performance products to date. His automotive inspirations were heavily directed toward the powerful and sophisticated machines coming from Europe. Alfa Romeo, Daimler, Bentley, Mercedes, and other potent Grand Touring machines were his fascination and he saw that America produced nothing like them. Moskovics took it on himself to produce an American car that could rival the world's best.

Moskovics surrounded himself with a team of talented engineers, most notably Charles "Pop" Greuter. Greuter was an engine-man fascinated with the potential of over-head cam valve trains. His design for Excelsior of an over-head cam straight-eight would prove the basis for the new Stutz Eight. This Eight was a marvel of sophistication: chain driven overhead cam, ten main bearings, dual ignition, dual throat carburetion and cross flow porting.

A new chassis would need to be developed to get the full potential out of this great new engine. Stutz had always touted the benefits of a low chassis and the Eight would take it further. By using a Timken worm drive rear axle, the whole chassis could be lowered considerably. This design was also used to the same effect in the Double Six Daimler and low chassis Invictas. Braking would initially be by Timken hydrostatic then Lockheed hydraulics with over-sized finned drums on all four wheels. The transmission were an excellent three-speed Warner unit.

The new eight-cylinder "Safety Stutz" proved a break through. The 1928 model won every American Stock Car race entered and was declared World's Champion. Two custom Blackhawk Speedster bodies were penned by LeBaron to take full advantage of the performance. The four-passenger speedster body was designed and built so Stutz would have a car eligible for racing that required four seats.

The most famous race requiring passenger cars with four seats and a top was the 24hrs of Le Mans. This now ubiquitous event was relatively unknown at the time in America despite being the Super Bowl for road going cars. A French Stutz agent entered a stock Stutz Blackhawk Four-Passenger Speedster in the 1928 event. It was the only Stutz entered, and it held the lead for much of the race, holding off an entire team of works Bentleys. Unfortunately a loss of high gear late in the race forced the Stutz to finish second.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This 1929 Stutz Two-Passenger Speedster is an example of the BB series that Stutz achieved its great racing success. The 1929 Stutz features the "Challenger" engine, used at Le Mans, with better head porting and improved performance and flexibility. The brakes are the powerful vacuum boosted Lockheed units which are far superior to the Timken design of earlier models.

The most notable feature of this car is its striking coachwork. The Speedster bodywork is both elegant and sporting. The curvaceous bodywork was quite advanced for its time and predicted the look of classics going into the 1930s. The coach-work is constructed with skinned aluminum from the cowl back to keep weight down and maximize the performance potential of the chassis.

Subject of a comprehensive authentic restoration that was done sometime ago but still shows quite nicely. Excellent attention to detail is apparent as the car shows all its proper Stutz details so difficult to replace. This top range example rides on the optional quick detachable wire wheels with twin side mounted spares. Philip Reed purchased this vehicle approximately 40 years ago from LJ Paddock. The vehicle received a high quality paint job in the early 1980's from noted General Motors painter, Bob Dern.

A dramatic and sporting example of a Stutz when the company was at the top of its game and achieving their highest level of success. These are great cars to drive to day with so much emphasis on chassis and engine performance they have a much more European feel than the typical American classic of its time.