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19th November 2015 5:00pm EST
A Pebble Beach Class-Winning Time Capsule
Axel R. Stockenberg,, a mechanical engineer drawn to the Stutz’s aluminum body in particular, and the advanced engineering of the Stutz brand in general, was the first owner of this remarkable automobile. With a price of more than $5,000.00, it was fitted with custom sport sedan coachwork by LeBaron. After seven years of happily driving the car, increasingly for only special occasions, Mr. Stockenberg put the Stutz in dry storage for 73 years, wearing its original Illinois license plates. His daughter, Constance, saw to his instructions for regular care over its lifetime. It remains in original, unrestored condition with just 23,000 miles. The car was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2012, where it was awarded First in Class in L-1 Pre-War Preservation, attesting to the car’s spectacular survivor status.
“The Car Which is Safest Has The Right to be Fastest”
Mention the word Stutz, and one immediately associates the name with the legendary Bearcat. Rare is it that a car or manufacturer could be so inextricably linked to one model. Neither the first Stutz in 1911, nor the last in 1935, would be a Bearcat; still, Harry Clayton Stutz’s marque would always be known for building performance-oriented automobiles. Like its competitors, Stutz offered a dizzying array of models in an effort to compete in the luxury market. On a similar path, the Indianapolis firm became a victim of the Depression and, not unlike its contemporaries, built some of its most spectacular automobiles during very tough times.
Mr.Stockenberg previously drove an HCS (Harry Clayton Stutz-designed and built) touring automobile from the 1920’s with canvas side curtains but no windows. With the birth of a second daughter, his wife insisted he buy an enclosed automobile ensuring the comfort of his young family. As an engineer, he was drawn to the Stutz by its aluminum body and advanced engineering. At more than $5,000.00, it was fitted with custom sport sedan coachwork by LeBaron.
The magnificent Stutz was A.R.’s pride and joy, and it remained in a heated garage when he travelled by train for business. Beginning in the mid-1930’s he was required to drive on trips to call on his clients. In order to spare the Stutz, Stockenberg acquired a Nash Ambassador for his “every day” car, preserving the Stutz for special occasions.
With the war brewing in Europe and the rationing of raw materials, A.R. was allowed to purchase just one set of new tires. He purchased them for the Nash, choosing to put the Stutz in storage after it had covered just 23,000 miles. Being an engineer, he understood the importance of draining all the fluids, clearing all lines, and putting a coat of grease on all the chrome trim to protect it. The car was put up on blocks where it remained for the next 73 years.
“The car is exceptionally fast in view of the great comfort provided… fully capable of 90 mph... The charm of the big engine propelling the car effortlessly at 60 or even 70 m. p. h. has to be experienced to be believed.”
The stock market crash of October, 1929 would forever change the market for mid-to-high-priced cars, even though great cars were still built then.The Indianapolis firm responded to competitors Cadillac, Packard, and Lincoln (who were building V-12 and V-16 giants) with the eight-cylinder DV32, all that Stutz’s financial resources would allow. Instead it served up a technical “tour de force”, featuring twin-overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and hemispherical combustion chambers – indicative of its racing heritage. The DV32 was shown in chassis form at the New York Automobile Show in December, 1930. Placed in the same chassis as the Stutz Vertical Eight (now renamed the SV16), the DV32 offered the same body styles for an even thousand dollars more in each case. The SV16 offered 115hp while the DV32 boasted 156hp and an astounding 300lb/ft torque, good for a guaranteed 100mph.
Formal introduction of the DV32 did not follow until August when the Depression was in full swing. History tells us that economic times were not kind to luxury marques, and Stutz was no exception. Were it not for the financial wherewithal of Charles Schwab, who assumed a controlling interest in the company that June, the car might never have been introduced. His personal resources added to the meager funds in Stutz’s coffers, he sent three “flying circus” teams of cars across the country in an effort to drum up business. Interest was there, but in the depths of tough economic times, the super car remained a dream for most. Between 1931 and 1934, fewer than 200 DV32’s were built. Company sales dwindled from 310 in 1931 to 80 in 1933 and just six in 1934.
In January, 1935, the company announced that “it is not a part of the present program to continue the manufacture and sale of the Stutz car.” The present program referred to the production of a light delivery van called the Pak-Age-Car. Stutz’s continued to be marketed in England in 1935. A 1936 model was announced stateside, leading to speculation that there were parts available for the production of a new Stutz, should anyone care to ask. On April 3, 1937, the Stutz Motor Car Company was declared insolvent in court and liquidated by 1939. Gone forever was one of the great marques of The Classic Era and “The Car that Made Good in a Day.”
The consigner purchased this car from Constance Stockenberg, the daughter of the original owner, in February 2012. Remarkably, the car had been in dry storage since 1939 (73 years). It remains in original, unrestored condition with just 23,000 miles from new. After what was described as serious cleaning and tinkering (without altering its originality), the car was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2012 where it was awarded First in Class in L-1 Pre-War Preservation, attesting to the car’s spectacular survivor status. The consigner adds that the car is in fine running and driving condition, and notes that it covered the 300+ mile round trip from his home to Pebble Beach under its own power and without incident.
The consigner notes that the dynamic Constance Stockenberg dutifully sprayed oil into the spark plug holes and turned the big eight-cylinder engine over with a hand crank twice a year, just as her father had done before her. It’s difficult to imagine a more significant American Classic in such completely original and unmolested condition available today.
“The Stutz is a car that shines for town use or for fast, effortless work on the open road, and its appearance evokes admiration everywhere.”
A Barn-Find is special, but a car that has been cared for during its 73-year storage is unique. This car was recognized and honored by the Historic Vehicle Association with the "This Car Matters" award based on its importance as a genuine and cherished relic.
- New Windshield recently installed
- Engine work performed to bring car up to fine running condition
A genuine survivor, with impeccable history and provenance, the integrity and quality of this Stutz has been confirmed by the highest honor possible for a preservation car; 2012 Pebble Beach Concours, Best in Class L-1 Preservation.