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Details
1932 STUTZ DV32 SUPER BEARCAT
Chassis No. DV-SB-1439
Engine No. DV-33155
Two-tone green with green leather upholstery
Engine: straight eight, twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, 322ci, 156bhp at 3,900rpm; Gearbox: four-speed manual; Suspension: beam axle to front, live axle to rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs all around; Brakes: vacuum servo-assisted, hydraulically operated drums all around. Left hand drive.
The Stutz Vertical Eight was the product of Frederich Moskovics' conviction that it was time for a new type of luxury car, an automobile that would bring together the best attributes of the traditional American quality car with those of thoroughbred European machines. The Vertical Eight made its debut at the 1928 New York Salon and was a show-stopper. Its advanced overhead camshaft straight eight engine was installed in a double drop chassis of unusual rigidity and low center of gravity, helped by a worm drive rear axle. On such a chassis even conventional sedans and phaeton bodies looked very sleek, enabling Moskovics to develop his plan of providing chassis powerful and stable enough to give sports car performance even to sedans.
As the boom years of the 1920s gave way to the harder times of the 1930s, the Stutz remained essentially unchanged, but greatly improved in detail. Stutzs raced and broke records throughout the US, as well as at the Le Mans Grand Prix d'Endurance, where a Stutz finished a very impressive second in 1928. Faced with fierce competition, Stutz unveiled the superlative DV32 in 1931 in an attempt to secure a place in the swiftly dwindling luxury car market. The engine and chassis remained as before, but now there were twin overhead camshafts with four inclined valves for each cylinder. The results were startling as power leapt from 113bhp to 156bhp, and the torque went to a lusty 300lbs/ft. Fully equipped, a Stutz sedan was capable of 80mph - the more sporty open versions were capable of 105mph.
The legendary Bearcat name had not been used on a Stutz model since the mid 1920s. However, in an effort to boost interest during the Depression, Stutz decided to revive the name for its sporting series of the DV32 line. The factory guaranteed that each Bearcat had been driven at 100mph before delivery. The Super Bearcat was a shorter (116 inch wheelbase), lighter chassis than the standard Bearcat. These short chassis cars were the ultimate development of the DV32, and only a handful of cars were built.
The example offered here was formerly part of the prestigious East Coast collection of Mr. Miles Coverdale and later passed into the hands of Mr. Bernie Berman from Allentown, Pennsylvania. The last major restoration was carried out by the Wendling Brothers in the early 1980s and in 1985 this work was rewarded with a National First Prize from the Antique Automobile Club of America. This Super Bearcat comes fully equipped with a downdraught Stromberg carburetor, drop center wire wheels, radiator stoneguard, external horns, wide whitewall tires and twin Pilot Ray driving lamps. Both a new dark green top and top boot were recently made and fitted to the car. Finished in a highly attractive two tone color scheme, we are told this Stutz runs and drives beautifully.
There are less than ten genuine DV32 Super Bearcats known to exist, and many enthusiasts regard them as the pinnacle Stutz from the Classic era. As such, the fine example offered here represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a rare straight eight, twin cam, high performance American Classic.
Chassis No. DV-SB-1439
Engine No. DV-33155
Two-tone green with green leather upholstery
Engine: straight eight, twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, 322ci, 156bhp at 3,900rpm; Gearbox: four-speed manual; Suspension: beam axle to front, live axle to rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs all around; Brakes: vacuum servo-assisted, hydraulically operated drums all around. Left hand drive.
The Stutz Vertical Eight was the product of Frederich Moskovics' conviction that it was time for a new type of luxury car, an automobile that would bring together the best attributes of the traditional American quality car with those of thoroughbred European machines. The Vertical Eight made its debut at the 1928 New York Salon and was a show-stopper. Its advanced overhead camshaft straight eight engine was installed in a double drop chassis of unusual rigidity and low center of gravity, helped by a worm drive rear axle. On such a chassis even conventional sedans and phaeton bodies looked very sleek, enabling Moskovics to develop his plan of providing chassis powerful and stable enough to give sports car performance even to sedans.
As the boom years of the 1920s gave way to the harder times of the 1930s, the Stutz remained essentially unchanged, but greatly improved in detail. Stutzs raced and broke records throughout the US, as well as at the Le Mans Grand Prix d'Endurance, where a Stutz finished a very impressive second in 1928. Faced with fierce competition, Stutz unveiled the superlative DV32 in 1931 in an attempt to secure a place in the swiftly dwindling luxury car market. The engine and chassis remained as before, but now there were twin overhead camshafts with four inclined valves for each cylinder. The results were startling as power leapt from 113bhp to 156bhp, and the torque went to a lusty 300lbs/ft. Fully equipped, a Stutz sedan was capable of 80mph - the more sporty open versions were capable of 105mph.
The legendary Bearcat name had not been used on a Stutz model since the mid 1920s. However, in an effort to boost interest during the Depression, Stutz decided to revive the name for its sporting series of the DV32 line. The factory guaranteed that each Bearcat had been driven at 100mph before delivery. The Super Bearcat was a shorter (116 inch wheelbase), lighter chassis than the standard Bearcat. These short chassis cars were the ultimate development of the DV32, and only a handful of cars were built.
The example offered here was formerly part of the prestigious East Coast collection of Mr. Miles Coverdale and later passed into the hands of Mr. Bernie Berman from Allentown, Pennsylvania. The last major restoration was carried out by the Wendling Brothers in the early 1980s and in 1985 this work was rewarded with a National First Prize from the Antique Automobile Club of America. This Super Bearcat comes fully equipped with a downdraught Stromberg carburetor, drop center wire wheels, radiator stoneguard, external horns, wide whitewall tires and twin Pilot Ray driving lamps. Both a new dark green top and top boot were recently made and fitted to the car. Finished in a highly attractive two tone color scheme, we are told this Stutz runs and drives beautifully.
There are less than ten genuine DV32 Super Bearcats known to exist, and many enthusiasts regard them as the pinnacle Stutz from the Classic era. As such, the fine example offered here represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a rare straight eight, twin cam, high performance American Classic.