1920 Stutz Series H Bearcat

360ci T-Head 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Carburetor
88bhp
3-Speed Manual Transaxle
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Drum Brakes

* A truly legendary model
* Fresh aesthetic refurbishment, with just the right look
* Reported to be running well
* Former long-term ownership in Indiana

THE STUTZ BEARCAT

In the world of antique cars, few names resonate like the Stutz Bearcat. Images of young gentlemen in raccoon coats racing around the countryside with a college pennant attached to the car often come to mind, and for the era, there were few cars as sought after and mythical in stature.

The Stutz Company and the Bearcat model were famous from day one. Soon after completion, Harry C. Stutz sent the prototype Bearcat racer to compete in the 1911 inaugural Indianapolis 500 race. The untested car did remarkably well, finishing the race and beating many established brands, earning the Stutz the slogan, "The Car That Made Good in a Day."

First offered to the public in 1912, the Bearcat was essentially a road-worthy version of the highly successful Stutz racers that followed the original Indy car. A radically designed sports car through and through, the Bearcat had just two bucket seats and no convertible top or windshield. Like the Stutz racing cars, the Bearcat was constructed around a low-slung chassis, ensuring a lower center of gravity and good handling characteristics in addition to its lightweight design.

Initially powered by a Wisconsin T-head engine, it would be eventually replaced by a Stutz-built, sixteen-valve, four-cylinder unit that drew heavily on Stutz's racing experience. The Stutz "White Squadron" racers were powered by engines featuring four valves per cylinder; the potential increase in performance over a traditional two-valve motor was made clear!

The new, more advanced motor demanded an improved car. Stutz responded with a heavier chassis to cope with the power, as well as attractive modern coachwork. Still built on a short and light 120" chassis, the new model would move the center of gravity even lower by placing the tank down low in the rear, with a rear deck fitted to hold a couple of raked spares in racing fashion. This redesign produced an aesthetically menacing machine and would bestow upon the Bearcat its second golden era. Challenged only by its fierce rival, the Mercer Raceabout, the Bearcat represented the ultimate in American sporting cars of the time.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Bonhams has been blessed with offering a number of the iconic Stutz Bearcats over the years and we're proud to present this latest find. The Series H Bearcat has just emerged from long term ownership in the state of its birth, Indiana. With a number of archive images on file, the car can be seen in historic car tours in the 1960s being enjoyed by a former owner, and later during a thorough restoration.

Acquired by the current enthusiast during the pandemic, the car has been sensitively freshened with new paint in the popular and striking yellow scheme for these cars, with the yellow contrasted by black fenders, valances and wheels, shod with new Blockley tires. Its spartan interior is trimmed in brown leather, while a rare option is the fitment of its top which few of these cars have, which matches the running gear in black.

Viewed by Bonhams specialist most familiar with these cars, Evan Ide, he noted its generally high level of authenticity, commenting that features such as the correct carburetor, generator and distributor are hard to find and the close sequence of engine and chassis numbers is also a good sign.

Of course, the most important aspect with these is the visceral driving experience they supply, with throaty exhaust tone from its Wisconsin four cylinder T-Head, again in this respect the car is reported to be running and sounding great. Its striking yellow visage is sure to be seen barreling around the peninsula roads in the viewing days!

With the combination of their stocky sporting looks and the performance that lives up to that look is why these cars have been coveted from day one, this provides an affordable way to sample that legend.