1932 Stutz DV32 Custom Roadster

322ci DOHC Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
4 Valves Per Cylinder
Dual-Throat Stromberg EE-3 Carburetor
156 bhp at 3,000 rpm
3-Speed Warner Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Lockheed hydraulic brakes


*Well documented 1950s custom
*Exciting and sporting looks
*Complete and with running engine
*Tentatively invited to The Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance 2023 (see text)

THE STUTZ DV-32

In the early Thirties luxury manufacturers struggled for market share in a heavily depressed sales environment. The great Depression had obliterated the market for high priced cars and companies were closing or being absorbed right and left. Great names like Cadillac were surviving as a result of introducing novel new products like the Sixteen then Twelve-cylinder models, it was clear that they needed to differentiate to standout and multi cylinder engines were getting the attention.

Only Duesenberg stood out as being such an exceptional product that they did not need to change their twin-cam, straight-eight. The Stutz Company was aware of the problem, but they had very little resources to offer as a defense. The Company's eight-cylinder motor was highly advanced when introduced in 1927 and the cars were well styled and had excellent performance but by 1931 their sales had basically dried up and they began work on a new engine to get attention.

Without the resources to develop a new multi-cylinder motor, they focused on their superb eight. Their idea was to produce a new twin-overhead cam, 32 valve, cylinder- head to brebath life into the product line. This design, heavily derivative of Duesenberg, though not new to racing and European GT cars, was radical for America. The single cam straight eight now called the SV-16 was a great motor though never produced much over 115 HP. The new DV-32 head bumped the engine horsepower up to 156 and put the Stutz engine back into contention of the luxury market.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

One of the few serving American customs built on a flagship classic era chassis, this DV32 has a wonderfully documented history. The brainchild of Elwood Needy of St. Louis who was inspired by the newly introduced Jaguar XK120. In 1949 He purchased an original 1932 Stutz DV32 car to serve as the basis for his Jaguar inspired custom roadster, because of the similar looking powerful engine. The chassis was shortened to the same 116" wheel base of the famed Super Bearcat. For coachwork a 1949 Cadillac series 61 would serve as the basis for a heavily reinterpreted roadster body. This was no minor undertaking a tremendous amount of metal skill was required to create the vision Elwood had for his dream roadster.

Over the course of several years with the help a Macdonald Aircraft pattern maker, full wooden bucks were made for the rear section of the body and a then new 1951 Studebaker nose was integrated into the front of the Cadillac sheetmetal. Overland Sheetmetal Shaping Company was taken with shaping the complex rear tail section of the car. Price Needy undertook the complex job of shaping the large Cadillac doors into the cutdown roadster doors. The well thought out dash features a complete set of Cord 810 instruments. A custom wrap around windshield was fabricated from aircraft type Perspex with custom mounts.

Dr. Elwood tore the engine down in his basement getting it running in top order before placing it back in the car. Sadly Elwood past away in 1952 leaving the car unfinished. His son Dr EH Needy enlisted some help to get the car finished and they succeed in good time having the car ready for the Illinois State Fair.

The car would eventually pass into the hands of Edward Hitt in 1963 who would keep the car run his possession for decades. The current owner a work renown Stutz enthusiast purchased the car about a decade ago. He has carefully corrected some changes that occurred over time and made sure the engine was in proper running order. Many hours of body work and fresh interior have the car looking like a straight forward project to complete. The car is straight and highly complete with nothing obvious missing.

A great project that represents a fascinating period of car culture and creativity. Cars like this have become welcomed at some of the most prestigious Concours d'Elegance events. When finished historian Ken Gross has tentatively invited this car to participate in a special category at The Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance 2023.