The Ex-AK Miller
1916 Stutz Model 4C Bearcat

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360ci T-Head 4-Cylinder Inline Engine
Single Stromberg carburetor
60bhp at 1,200rpm
3-Speed Transaxle
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Drum Brakes with Twin Expanding Shoes

*The Jewel of AK Miller's famed collection
*The benchmark example of an American icon
*Only two owners in the past 80 years
*Highly original and fully sorted mechanically
*Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance Class Award winner

"THE CAR THAT MADE GOOD IN A DAY"

A true American automotive icon. Few cars are worthy of such a title but even fewer deserve it more than this early Stutz Bearcat. No car of the era had a more enduring reputation and became so engrained in popular culture as the Stutz Bearcat. Only being surpassed in familiarity by the Ford T, the Stutz Bearcat became an icon almost immediately after it first appeared in 1911. Today, genuine early Bearcats are among the rarest, and most sought after, of all the early sports cars - more Mercers and Simplex survive today than real Bearcats.

The brainchild of Harry Clayton Stutz an automotive engineer and visionary. He achieved some success in his time at the American Automobile Company and with his clever design for a shaft drive, torque tube rear axle that incorporated a three-speed transaxle. In just 5 weeks in 1911 Stutz built his first "Bearcat" car and entered it in the new Indianapolis 500 race. This handmade machine finished the grueling race in a remarkable 11th place, bettering many of the finest manufacturers - the Stutz Bearcat had "made good in a day".

This instant success and notoriety launched this charismatic company that was genuinely birthed at the speedway. While a small offering of sporty road cars was announced and made available in 1911, 1912 made the famed Bearcat available to customers and quickly cemented its mythic status. A near twin of the car that had taken on the world's finest at Indy was now available to purchase. Built upon a short, 120" wheelbase with a potent 60hp Wisconsin T-head driving through the Stutz transaxle, the car was stripped to the basics and only fenders and lights were concession to practicality. Nimble and potent, it quickly gained favor as a great American sports car. With 20% more displacement than rival Mercer's sporty Raceabout the Stutz could more than hold its own down the open road. The Stutz transaxle and well-designed frame made for a precise handling car with excellent weight distribution. The lightweight body and large engine negated the need for a four-speed transmission. The Stutz was a joy to drive in anger but also a car that was easy drive and live with thanks to its generous torque and comfortable position (and even some handy storage space).

Perhaps the charismatic name had something to do with it, but the car caught the public's imagination like few others. What animal a bearcat is no one really knows but the name fits the character of the car perfectly and proved unforgettable. One hears the name and immediately conjures up images of young sportsman in one of the coolest car on the road. The name became so iconic it even spawned the 1971 television show - Bearcats! Images of Stutz Bearcats have adorned lamps, glassware, radios, decanters, and countless models and miniatures. No car became more of the archetype for an American sports car than the Stutz Bearcat.

Stutz kept the Bearcat in the public conciseness no doubt in part due to their racing success. The Stutz "White Squadron" made a major mark on racing in the years just before WWI. These sleek Bearcat racers achieved victories across the country and presented an image more akin to a modern racing team with their pristine white racing cars and driver's uniforms. The cool image and success of the racing program elevated Stutz to an exciting brand buyers aspired to own.

Despite Stutz achieving solid sales success with touring models the sexy Bearcat model was produced in very small numbers. An expensive car with so little practicality was a plaything and only accessible to the wealthy. Few Americans at this time could afford even a basic practical car, so having one just for sport was a true luxury. The car certainly helped draw buyers to the show room but like so many halo cars they did not fly off the shelf. The limited nature of them helped with their status, rarely seen they were the special car everyone lusted after but few could afford. Today historians have verified only seven genuine Bearcats from the entire four-year production run of Wisconsin-engined models. While no shortage of replicas has been built over the years (the sincerest form of flattery) - cars with fully documented histories are incredibly scarce. When a true genuine Stutz Bearcat comes to the market it generates great interest and the Bearcat firmly holds its position as the most desirable and valuable Stutz of all.

Aside from the iconic status, rarity, and historical significance the greatest part of owning a Bearcat is driving it. They are lovely cars to drive, with excellent power and speed—the short wheelbase and low position embodies everything about an early sports car. Open the exhaust cutout and you are rewarded with one of the sweetest sounding exhausts in all of motoring. The big Wisconsin four lets out a real bark without being excessively loud and unpleasant. They are reliable and easy to start and drive. With factory electric starting it is as simple as turning on the fuel, ignition and firing it off.

THE CAR OFFERED

This particular Bearcat is perhaps the most original and famous of the handful of verified survivors—the crown jewel of the legendary Aleksander Kennedy "AK" Miller collection in East Orange, Vermont. The greatest Stutz collection ever amassed was the lifelong passion of the eccentric AK Miller. Miller amassed approximately 30 Stutz cars and scores of parts - many acquired directly from the Stutz Factory. The collection included some of the finest examples of the marque including the 1931 Supercharged M with Lancefield coachwork, a sensational 1932 DV32 Roadster, and, most significantly this—his most treasured car, the Stutz 4C Bearcat. In addition to the hoard of Stutz cars, more than $1,000,000 in gold bullion (1996 value), silver, stock certificates, and cash were found on the property. AK Miller might have been a keen collector but he was not expert at paying taxes. The Government ordered a liquidation auction of all the property after Miller's death - the funds used to fulfill unpaid tax debts.

The liquidation auction held by Christie's in 1996 is one of the most famous automobile auctions ever held and it attracted worldwide media attention both for the quality of the product and the strange tale of its eccentric owner. Anyone involved in old cars in the Northeast during AK's time has a story of the legendarily crotchety man and his hoard of rolling treasures. When the dust settled on the auction one car stood as the most contested, most valuable car of the day and the most expensive Stutz ever sold at auction - this very special Bearcat.

No car is more linked with AK Miller not only due to the significance of the car but also because of the famous photo of the man himself sitting in his greatest prize. Few photos exist of the reclusive Miller and even fewer with any of his cars. The fame of the auction and the Bearcat landed it on the cover Automobile Quarterly. The new owner (a prominent Stutz aficionado) was immediately offered a substantial profit on his new purchase but flatly turned it down - he had come to buy this car and no amount of profit would change that.

The AK Miller Bearcat was not just special for its history and originality but for its great specification. Miller, being a Stutz expert, knew this was the Bearcat to own - being a late production example it has aesthetic and mechanical refinement only enhanced by the wonderful wire spoke wheels. A period option that the buyer of this Bearcat had to pay nearly $500 extra to get transforms the look of these cars and is a very rare option among surviving cars. One appreciated feature of a car in the C series is the addition of a reliable factory electric starting system that rendered the starting handle obsolete.

Once in the hands of its new (and current) caretaker, the Bearcat was promptly sent to the late Paul Freehill for recommissioning. Mr Freehill enjoyed a reputation as the preeminent Stutz technician. He carefully recommissioned the Stutz marveling at its originality and authenticity. The Bearcat was now thoroughly gone through and brought to excellent operational standard - which has been maintained to this day. After the mechanical sorting was completed, a plan was devised to address the cosmetics. The Stutz had survived with a high degree of originality. Despite AK Miller's basic restoration efforts, including some new paint work, a lot of the old paint was still on the car. The decision was made to give the car to Wilkinson and Sharp Restorations and have the newer paint carefully removed and assess the condition of the original surface finishes. After removing the newer paint and cleaning up the old surfaces, areas were repainted to match the original areas to give the car a uniform look while preserving the originality. The result was an even look that maintained the original surface finishes and gave the car an authentic feel that would have been lost in a bare metal respray. The end result was judged a success when the Bearcat earned a class award at the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance - a rare occurrence for a largely unrestored car! Around the same time the Stutz was also invited to participate in the centenary festivities of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Bearcat was given special permission to spread its wings on the track that made it famous showing an impressive turn of speed.

In its current, long-term ownership, the Bearcat has been lovingly looked after. Always kept in turnkey condition, when not being used it resides as the centerpiece of a fine private museum. The AK Miller Bearcat resided in his collection for more than 50 years, it has resided in its current home for nearly 30 more years – making this is only the second chance in 80 years to acquire the definitive early Bearcat. Offered in ready to enjoy condition, it will always be a true automotive icon with a wonderful story.

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