stutz news 78

Announcements

Table of Contents

Stutz (1911-1937) HARRY CLAYTON STUTZ (1876-1930)

The Stutz Club, Inc.William J. Greer, Editor7400 Lantern RoadIndianapolis, IN 46256

TO:

FIRST CLASSUS Postage

PAIDIndianapolis, INPermit #418

Vol. XVIII No. 78 (October - December 2006)

Vol. XVIII No. 78 (October - December 2006)

Plan now to participate in the 3rd annual Masterpiece Concours d’Eleganceto be held on August 24 - 26, 2007 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stutz will bethe featured marque and they will look spectacular on Lake Michiganwaterfront near the Milwaukee Art Center. See page 17 for details.

The 2007 Grand Stutz will be coordinated by Mike Berry and JasonGehring. A four-day meet is being planned in Northern Ohio which willinclude participation in “The Gathering” Concours in September 2007.Details later.

www.stutzclub.org

HCS Motor Car Co Reborn.............. 1

Federation Picnic............................ 5

Stutz Happenings........................... 9

2006 Hershey Get-Together.......... 10

Grand Stutz 2006......................... 12

Stutz at the MasterpieceStyle & Speed Showcase .............. 17

Golden Quill Award ...................... 18

Membership Report ...................... 19

In Memoriam ................................ 21

Letters.......................................... 22

Classifieds .................................... 30

The Splendid Stutz ....................... 31

2 Stutz News/October - December 2006

3Stutz News/October - December 2006

Vol. XVIII No. 78 October - December 2006

Carolyn and I enjoyed the Open House at Capitol View Professional Centre,originally home to Harry’s HSC Motor Car Co where our 1923 HCS Model 6Touring was produced. The renovation produced a very attractive professionalbuilding and the floors one and two will soon be leased. Two very nice Stutzdisplays were mounted on two walls of the first floor entrance lobby near the twonew elevators.


Friend of Automotive History Award To Bobbie ‘dine RoddaOctober 6, 2006Comments of Robert R Ebert

The Society of Automotive Historians existsfor the purpose of promoting the study of thehistory of automobiles, motor vehicles in general,and the companies that produced them. Therefore,in a sense, we are all “friends of automotivehistory.”

But, there are those involved in automotivehistory who have made very special contributions tothe hobby and to the study of an industry that inmany ways has defined the development of societyfor over a century. Bobbie’dine Rodda is just such aperson.

For more than 40 years, Bobbie’dine Roddahas been a roving ambassador for the automotivehobby in general, with specific interest in celebratingautomotive history. She began her activities in theearly sports car movement in Southern California,thanks to the involvement of her father. As early asthe 1950s and 1960s Bobbie’dine provided atreasure trove of information about potentialparticipants and/or exhibitors varying automotiveevents that she had developed into a card file. As aconsequence, almost all of the major concoursd’elegance and other leading auto shows in SouthernCalifornia through the 1980s were based on herinformation.

Her support of automotive events wasreinforced through the use of another of herhobbies, that of photography. She often tookdozens of rolls of film each weekend as sheattended four of five different automotive relatedevents. In between events, she coded the prints, andsent off duplicate copies to owners of the cars.Automotive publications soon were requestingcopies of her work, which she willingly supplied,along with a report of each automotive event sheattended. Within a very short time, Bobbie’dine’sphotos and reports were found in three or moreperiodicals. The accumulated photos have been usedin a number of prize winning books. They havevalue not only in tracing automotive trends and theownership of vehicles, but also as a significanthistorical record.

For her untiring efforts on behalf ofautomotive history and for her spirit of inquiry andhelpfulness that selves as an inspiration to us all. It ismy privilege and pleasure to present Bobbie’dineRodda with the Society of Automotive Historians2006 Friend of Automotive History Award.

Ed’s Note: The Stutz Club is very proud of HonoraryMember Bobbie ‘dine (No. 8014H) who has madesignificant contributions to the Club over many years.


Federation PicnicMarong, Victoria, Australia 27 August 2006by Janet Bronk (#350)

Today my brother and I went to a major carmeeting, it was the Federation Picnic at Marone(near Bendigo) in Victoria . My brother belongs tothe Castlemaine Historic Vehicles Club (cars over25 year old) with his MG TF 1500, 1956 and theywent as a group. It was quite cold and draughty butexcellent fun in the MG. He took the car, I tookthe food, his wife went down to Melbourne to seea stage show “Camelot” with her friends hence theinvite.

There were 900 plus vehicles, what we callveteran – up to 1919 (a few) vintage 1919-1930 (alot) and classics 1930 on wards. And to my sheerdelight (being an unofficial “PR” for the StutzClub.) Five Stutz and all the owners were wellknown to me and vice versa.

Mr. Doug Ferguson of Box 28, DartmoorVictoria 3304 Australia was in the original Stutz

Club back in the 1960s when I had my first Stutz andgave me the photograph of the four Stutz that he hasrestored. (This photo will be published in a laterissue. Ed.)

Doug Ferguson knows the last Stutz I wrote toyou about plus Trevor Smith with the Burgundy,David Dayton with the blue, Colin Gilmore of Mt.Gambier in South Australia with the black then I metup with Bill Orde of Ravenswood Victoria, his son,wife and children were in his Stutz, he had his Bentley

to enjoy – so Icouldn’t get anynew membersbut tried veryvery hard forthe Club.

I will sendthis letter whenI get thephotographsdeveloped buthad to write allthis downbefore I wasside trackedinto every dayliving onceagain.

By theway, not one

Auburn was there, mine would have drawn a lot ofattention because of it being big, red with black mudguards and tan hood but it is in Queensland and I amdown here with a small (normal) size garage that my4WD Nissan Patrol barely squeezes into here inCastlemaine, Victoria..

(more photos on page 6...)


Two views of the 1930 Stutz MB Burgundy SedanDoug Ferguson restored for Trevor and Lynette Smith(left) and the 1929 Stutz M Sedan (right in yellow).Sorry can’t read the sign in the window.)


Bill Orde’s red 1924/5Model 694/695 Touring andhis Bentley

Davie Payton’s 1928 Stutz BB 5pass. Speedster (Blue) and ColinGilmore’s Black 1928(?) Speedster.


This article which appeared in the October 2, 2006 issue of AUTOWEEK, p. 19 wassubmitted by charter and life member Larry Nicklin (#28L). Thanks Larry!

The featured car is the original 1926 Stutz AA Victoria Coupe owned by charter memberJean M. Gorjot (#75) of Harrisburg, PA only two of three 1926 Victorias are known tohave survived.


Stutz HappeningsBy your editor

At CCCA Grand Classics:

June 3, 2006 at CCCA Museum, Hickory Corners, MI

Member Edward P. Schoenthaler (No. 613)entered his 1930 Stutz MB Cabriolet and it scored100 points in the 1930-32 Custom Primary Division.

July 8, 2006 at Wisconsin, Lake Geneva

Ed’s 1930 Stutz garnered 100 points in theSenior Division

Carl Jensen (No. 638) exhibited his 1930 StutzM LeBaron Speedster

At Concours d’Elegance

Indianapolis Grand Prix

Bill Greer (No. 93F) exhibited his 1926 StutzAA R/S Coupe

Meadow Brook

Tim Achenbach entered his 1927 Stutz AA 2-pass Boattail Speedster

The ex-Skip Barber 1929 Stutz M LancefieldSupercharged Coupe should have received “MostMenacing” award according to CARCOLLECTOR’s Rob Clement’s comments.

Hilton Head Island Concours (see article herein onpage 12)

At Auctions:RM’s Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook

1915 Stutz 4 F Bearcat S/N 4F2658, Cond. #1 with“sketchy background” brought $368,500 includes

10% comm. (SeeNo. 77 p. 29).Member TonyCarroll (No.8021) advised Ed.On November 3,2006 that this isnot Robert Reed’scar.

1916 Stutz 4 CBearcat S/N 4C4127(Cond. #2), found inCuba in 1980s brought$275,000 (10% comm.Included). This is ex-member Reed’s Stutz.

1929 StutzM LancefieldSuperchargedcoupe Concourscond #1 (S/N31312 Black withMaroon LeatherHammered soldat $650,000 Finalprice $715,000with 10% commission.

Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach Auction on 8-20-2006

1914 Stutz 4 E Bearcat, Cond. 1, ex-WinthropRockefeller car sold for $650,000 per OLD CARSSept. 4, 2006 issue

The three photos of Stutz at auctions above were takenfrom the October 2006 issue of CAR Collector.

Otis Chandler Collection Auction, Oxnard CA 10-21-2006 OLD CARS 11-09-2006

Stutz DV-32 Dual Windshield SpeedsterLeBaron Cond. #1 Sold for $470,000


by your editor

The trip from Indy to Hershey was much moreexciting this year as member Shawn Miller decided totake ex-member Jim Dougerty’s rare, very originalunrestored 1937 Pierce Arrow Town Car along forexhibition at Shawn’s Significantcars.com space onChocolate Field. Patrick Goss drove the P-A whileShawn and I followed in the Caddy averaging around70 mph. At one point Pat, challenged by a jealoustrucker, had the 70 year old Pierce doing an honest78. Later, on the field, Shawn and Pat observedsevere cracks in the old tires (years?) and realizedthere was no key to unlock the old spares. Knowingthat such luck could not hold much longer Shawnsought and found a set of 7:50 x 17 in Goodyear widewhites at Coker Tire and had them mounted beforethe return trip to Indy.

Some 30 members andguests gathered at theHoliday Inn on Thursdayevening for a sumptuousbuffet arranged by MikeBarry, VP Membership andToni Ipavec, Treasurer.

Stutz Club Meeting MinutesThursday, October 5"’ 2006

The 2006 Stutz Club Annual Meeting was heldat its traditional location, the Harrisburg EastHoliday Inn on Thursday, October 5th 2006.Membership Chairman Mike Barry welcomed themembers and guests in attendance, and hadeveryone introduce themselves. Following this thegroup ate a buffet dinner.

After dinner, George Holman spoke to thegroup on behalf of club President Norm Barrs.Norm is recovering from surgery and hopes to be

2006 Hershey Get-Together

back with us soon. The StutzRacing Team continues to dowell. Accomplishments includea 6th place finish out of a classof 22 cars at Donnington, anda 1st in class and 7th overallfinish at Spa.

George said the Grand Stutz hosted by theSnyder’s this November 3 - 5 at Hilton Head Islandis all set to go. The cut off date was September 15th,but if someone still wants to attend they areencouraged to contact Bill Snyder ASAP.

George also reported plans are in thepreliminary stages for the 10th anniversary Stutzmeet to be held in Indianapolis. The club is lookinginto the possibility of having a rematch of the 1928Stutz - Hispano Suiza race that was held at theIndianapolis 500 race track. We may have ashortened version of the race, with ticket salerevenue going to charity.Volunteers are needed to helpplan the 2011 event.

Mike Barry reported thatToni Barry will be resigning astreasurer. Dale Wells will betaking over these duties soon.

Mike Barry stated theslate of candidates for theupcoming election waspublished in the last issue of the Stutz News. The listof candidates is as follows:President: Norm BarrsVice President-Membership: Mike BarryVice President-Publications: Bill GreerVice President-Technical Services: John GrunderVice President-Programs & Publicity: George HolmanSecretary: Jason GehringTreasurer: Dale WellsArchivist: Ernie Toth Jr.

The membership report was given by MikeBarry. The club continues to hold steady at around

Barry

Holman

Wells


above slate of candidates had been unanimouslyelected to serve on the Board for the years 2007 and2008. It should be pointed outthat Ernie Toth, Jr. wasappointed Club archivist at the2005 Hershey meeting and hisname was inadvertentlyomitted from the slate listed inthe last issue, No. 77, page 19.

We are very pleased toknow that life member JohnGrunder (#107L) will continuehis fine service as VP TechnicalServices.

Our special thanks to honorary memberBobbie ‘dine Rodda for the great photos taken atthis year’s dinner meeting, a few of which we usedto identify the club’s officers.

The following members signed in for Stutzcamaraderie in the CCCA tent on Friday, October6th:

Mike BarryPaul & Brandi Freehill*Bill & Jason GehringBill GreerJohn GrunderGeorge HolmanJon Lee*Gus & Rush LudwigBob PraetoriusSteve Pugh & Maria RajaratnamBob ReedNorman RobertsWayne SaundersPer SkaareErnie & Nancy TothDale & Bonnie WellsBrian White*With some exceptions* the above members

also attended the dinner meeting.On Saturday we enjoyed the expansive car

show which was held on the adjoining golf courseunder better than normal weather conditions forwhich we were thankful.

350 members. New memberseach year seem to make upfor any attrition. Mike willwork on getting an updateddirectory out for 2007. Clubmembership dues will stay thesame at $40 per year.

Mike Barry & JasonGehring will host the 2007Grand Stutz. The location will

be the Cleveland/Akron/Canton area of NorthernOhio. Details to come shortly.

Bill Greer, editor of the Stutz News, said hehas held this position for 18 years and is in need ofmore material from club members for thenewsletter. Any article orinformation a club membercomes across this is suitablefor publication is welcomedby Bill. A few copies of thepast Stutz News edition weresent out without thecenterfold pages. This wasthe printers fault, and ifanyone received such an issueplease contact Bill and he will gladly send out acomplete edition to you.

George Holman said Stutz Club book saleshave been steady at about 25 per year. As all thebooks are now paid for, all new sales are profit forthe club. The limited edition sells for $100, and thestandard edition sell for $69.95.

Mike Barry concluded the meeting by thankingeveryone for attending and reminding us of the

Friday get together which willbe held at the CCCA tent at3pm in the Chocolate Field.

Respectfully submitted,Jason W. Gehring,

Secretary

Outgoing Secretary JohnHaydon confirmed onNovember 23, 2006 that the

Gehring

Greer

Grunder

Toth


Grand Stutz 2006, November 3-5 2006Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

By Bill Greer

The 5th anniversary of the prestigious HiltonHead Concours d’Elegance highlighting “Cars ofIndiana” and more specifically Marmon and Stutzproved to be a great venue for a Grand Stutz meet.Many thanks to Bill and Christine Snyder forplanning and coordinating this year’s event.

Many members in attendance toured HistoricBeaufort on Friday, November 3rd. Carolyn and Ihad the pleasure of touring with Tom and MadelynCox of Richmond, Virginia whom we had not seenfor several years. Beaufort is an old “low country”coastal town with interesting shops and historichomes. We enjoyed lunch there.

Friday evening a delicious “Low Country Boil”banquet was held at the Country Club of HiltonHead. Members of the Marmon and Stutz Clubsenjoyed this opportunity to meet and swap carstories of mutual interest. The tasty dinner wastopped off by the Country Club’s renowned Pecanand Key Lime pies.

A brief Stutz meeting was heldfollowing dinner. Bill Snyderwelcomed all and requested thateach participant stand and identifythemselves. Bill then turned themeeting over to George Holmanwho proceeded to present onbehalf of President Norman Barrsthe “Allison Barrs MemorialTrophy” to Bill and Chris Snyder inrecognition of their diligence inhosting this event. The uniquenessof this trophy is that it was won inEngland by a Stutz found some 70years later in a sad state of disrepair,then lovingly restored. Previousrecipients of this trophy were Daleand Bonnie Wells (’02), John and

Kathryn Haydon (’03), Steve Pugh and MariaRajaratnam (’04), and George Holman and BobValpey (’05). George commented upon the successof the Stutz Racing Team this year in beating theBentley’s in all races entered. He also announced thatMike Barry and Jason Gehring will jointly plan andhost the 2007 Grand Stutz to be held in conjunctionwith “The Gathering” Concours in Northern Ohio.John Haydon informed that Stutz will be a featuredmarque at the third annual Masterpiece Concoursd’Elegance on August 26, 2007 in Milwaukee,Wisconsin (see details on page 17). Bill Greerreviewed the background of the Club’s Peter HelckStutz Memorial Trophy and announced thatoutgoing Treasurer Toni Ipavec was this year’srecipient of this special award (see page 20.)

Our headquarters motel, the Hampton Inn ,One Dillon Road was very conveniently located,only a short distance from the Honey Horn event


grounds where we enjoyed the Saturday and Sundaycar events. We did not make it to Vintage Track Dayat Roebling Roads Raceway in Bloomington, GAwhere practice rounds were held Thursday and hotlaps on Friday. However, our Stutz display was setup near to the interactive race car display and wewere entertained by the roar of engines as attendeessat in the race cars. The affair on Saturday was familyoriented with a Car Club Jamboree featuring music,food, a parade of interesting marques, the 2nd Classicand Collector Car Auction, art show, gift tents, etc.The Honey Horn parking area filled early and most

of the large crowd was brought in from nearbyparking areas by trolley bus. A Saturday eveningGala Reception and Dinner, was offered at theMariott Beach and Golf Resort but we chose torest.

On Sunday the Concours d’ Elegance at HoneyHorn opened in a cool breeze at 10:00 a.m withsome 150 entries on the field. The “Cars ofIndiana” display was again arranged in the sameprominent location on the old plantation grounds.

The nine (9) Stutz displayed are shown on nextpages in sequence of model year.

(L to R) Brian and Tish White, Tim and Susan Achenbach, Carolyn and Bill Greer, John Terry, TomCox, John Haydon

Not present in the photo are: Bill and Chris Snyder, George and Pat Holman, Roberts Reed, MaxTriplett, Madelyn Cox, John and Betty Grunder, Mark and Gloria Desch, Tim Kuser and PamelaPhillips, Ron and Marilyn Kneebone, Turner and Dianne Woodard

We were pleased to meet new member F. Todd Warner and were sorry that Chip Cofer and Chic Postiercould not attend as planned.


1918 Series “S” Bearcatowned by Tim Kuser (#612)

1920 Series “H” BearcatOwned by Brian White (#482)

1920 Series “H”TouringOwned by RonKneebone (#433)


1929 BlackhawkSpeedster, LeBaronOwned by JohnGrunder(#107L)

1927 Series AA Black HawkBoattail SpeedsterOwned by Tim Achenbach(#714)

1928 Series BBSedanOwned by JohnHaydon (#486)

1923 Series “KLDH” Bearcatalso owned by Brian White


The Stutz display was well visited and manyquestions were entertained during the two days ofthe show.

After a good Sunday lunch in the bigrestaurant tent we had a further look at the field offoreign and domestic marques which ranged fromearly brass cars right up to new Rolls-Royce andBentley.* We stayed for part of the awardsceremony before heading back to Savanah,Georgia to catch our flight back to Indianapolis.We enjoyed this event and were impressed by the

1929 Black Hawk Boattailw/ 4 pass speedster DV-32 engineOwned by non member Larry Bailey

1930 Series MB CabrioletOwned by Bill Snyder (#273)

friendly atmosphere and the courtesies extended to usby helpful attendants.

The Concours Program Cover is shown on theback of this issue (sorry, no color). The programartwork appropriately features Bill Snyder’s 1930Stutz and Christine’s L-29 Cord.

Four Stutz cars participated in the concoursjudging; the 1927 Black Hawk B/T, a 1928 BlackHawk B/T owned by non member Jim Kauffman,the 1929 Black Hawk B/T and John Grunder’s 1929Blackhawk Speedster.


Stutz at the Masterpiece Style & Speed Showcase

I was pleased to announce, at the Friday night banquet at this year’s Grand Stutz, held asa part of the Hilton Head Concours, that Stutz will be the featured marque at the third annualMasterpiece Concours d’Elegance on August 26, 2007, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. TheConcours is part of a full schedule of Masterpiece automotive events that weekend. This finecharity-benefiting event is held at the spectacular Lake Michigan lakefront near the MilwaukeeArt Center (with its famous Calatrava addition). We expect to have at least one ring ofprobably twelve of the finest Stutz available and, if more attend, we’ll add another ring.

As we did for the Grand Stutz at Road America a few years ago, we are organizing andhosting some Stutz events as part of the Masterpiece, including an interesting tour on Friday,the 24th (which probably will be open to others who attend the Masterpiece), a Stutz Clubdinner gathering (limited to members and guests) Friday night, and more activities whichpromise to be lots of fun and will enhance your enjoyment of the event.

Based on discussions at Hilton Head, there are a number of Club members with greatStutz who plan to come, as well as members who likely will come without cars. I would liketo extend a cordial invitation to all members who may be interested in coming to let meknow and I’ll send them the particulars (reservation form, including for the Friday dinnergathering, details regarding the events, costs, etc.) after the planning is completed in the springof 2007. In addition, if you are interested in showing your Stutz at the Concours, let meknow and I’ll see that you receive an application form for submitting to the SelectionCommittee.

The Masterpiece Style & Speed Showcase, presented by the Wisconsin Region of theClassic Car Club of America, celebrates automotive art and history while raising funds tobenefit the Exceptional Needs Programs of Jewish Family Services, Inc. which help childrenand adults of all denominations and ethnic backgrounds fight development disabilities andserious mental illness.

Additional information regarding the Masterpiece, a DVD preview and more areavailable at www.milwaukeemasterpiece.com. For 2007, the Masterpiece will celebrate theremarkable achievements of Stutz, as well as the earliest days when Stutz engines weremanufactured by Wisconsin Motors in West Allis, a Milwaukee suburb.

Thank you for considering coming to this outstanding event. I know you will enjoy itand the Wisconsin members of the Stutz Club will be so pleased to have you as our guests. Inthe meantime, if you have any questions, please contact me.

John Haydon (telephone: 414-352-1669) 317 East Acacia RoadFox Point, WI 53217-4235 email: [email protected]


Golden Quill Award


Membership ReportBy Mike Barry, VP Membership

Please join me in welcoming the following newmembers to the Stutz Club in 2007.

#0730 F. Todd Warner2642 Commerce Blvd.Mound MN 55364Phone: 952-495-0007Fax: 952-495-1237Email: [email protected] Stutz MB 4 Door Weymann Versailles (FabricBody)VIN #36227

#0731Dean Stahnke/ spouse Paula Stahnke3917 Central St.Western Springs, IL 60558Phone: (day) 312-664-9178(evening) 708-246-9648Email: [email protected] Stutz DV-32 Four Door Weyemann Verailles(Aluminum body)

#0732Alex Luchinger57 AeschistrasseNiederonz Switzerland CH3362Tel: (day) +41 62961 0505(evening) 41 62 961 9010Fax: 41 62961 6274Email: [email protected] Stutz DV 32 Racer

#0733Douglas W. Bindrim/ spouse Linda172 Pendleton Rd.Laconia, NH 03246Phone: 603-366-2389Email: [email protected]

R. David Kincaid180 E Ponderosa DriveGoldendale, WA 98621

Daniel Ellis5 Oakdale Farm CircleEdmond, OK 73013

Address Change

#0701Donald Connolly1525 Valencia Rd.Aptos, CA 95003

Ernie Toth Sr.PO box 576Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

This coming year we will publish a new roster.


November 9, 2006Ms. Toni Ipavec3773 Mayflower OvalBrunswick Hills, OH 44212

Dear Toni,It is a great pleasure for me to inform you that the Stutz Club Board has awarded

you THE PETER HELCK STUTZ MEMORIAL TROPHY in recognition of your manyyears of fine service as Treasurer.

This award was established in 1989 by Life Member A.J.”Tony” Koveleski ofScranton, PA in honor of his friend, the renowned artist Peter Helck who died at age 95(1893-1988).

This trophy is awarded to members who make significant contributions to the StutzClub over the years.

Hearty Congratulations!Bill GreerFounder/VP Publications

The Peter Helck Stutz Memorial Trophy Announcement


In Memoriam

Our thanks to theSociety of AutomotiveHistorians for the obituarypublished in SAH Journal No.224, Sept/ Oct. 2006

Jim was Stutz ClubCharter Member No. 3, adear friend, always helpfuland a great resource. He willbe sorely missed.

Courtesy of Hoosier Heritage Chapter(SAH) newsletter, August 2006,member Jack L. Martin (No. 36) Secr.


LettersFrom: Larry Nicklin (#28L), Leo, IN (inpart)Date: August 15, 2006

1932 Stutz “Tom Cat” roadster owned by LarryBurchett of Knoxville, TN displayed at Hunter’s AutoExpo on March 10-12, 2006 credit Streetroddermagazine.

It’s good to have an excuse to sit down andsend a note to my goodest ol’ buddy you! But I willhave to admit this the thinnest of excuses, this photoof a “hot rod” called a “Stutz.” The engine in it is amystery and even the grille would flunk any kind ofjudging, to say nothing of the body shapes…exceptfor one thing, and you may have already spotted it.It’s the speedster, or run-about seat configuration.

It sure would be fun to talk to the owner ofthat car just to see if he could explain it without hisown self busting out with laughter.

Toodle Lu

From: Keith Marvin (#79H),Worcester, MA

Date: August 27, 2006

Thanks for your good letter of the 17th.The connection between F.D.R.’s Stutz car(s)

and the Baltimore service area for Stutz is remote. Idon’t know the exact years that he was a Stutzowner but it is there so there is always a possibility. Iam afraid that I neglected some of this as I wasputting a good deal of energy into trying to seewhether there were any cars on Campobello Islandwhere the Roosevelts had their ‘cottage’ and thenwhether they might have been registered in NewBrunswick and registration data for pre-1921 [whenhe got his paralysis] doesn’t’ help and anyCampobello folk still alive would doubtlessly be toofar up in years to have any idea.

You known, Bill, what’s funny about this as anaside was that, as you knows F.D.R. was theDemocratic candidate for the vice presidency in1920 and James M. Cox, the DemocraticPresidential candidate I’m almost certain was a Stutzowner as well.

[Forget about the G.O.P. Candidates’ cars.Harding drove a Locomobile “48” and CalvinCoolidge made do with a state-owned Pierce-Arrow.]

Would a photocopy of the letter I got fromPeter Helck in which he explains that he rented anH.C.S., made camera shots of it [presumably atvarious angles] and worked the car into his series of

From: BAUHAUS InternationalYouth Hotel, Burges, Belgium

Date: August 24, 2006Looks to be a good deal for groups

of 10 or more. Just [email protected]


“The Peregrination of the Pecks?” I have twolooseleaf notebooks containing all the mail Ireceived over the mail for many years [specifically1951 or ‘52 through about 1985 or ‘86.] Peter’sletters are fascinating.

If this would be of any use or interest to you,just let me know and I’ll seek it out, photocopy itand send it to you. No trouble at all as I savedeverything including Christmas cards from Peter andPriscilla.

And although I may be overdoing it, I feel thatvirtually anything concerning people of the statureand interest of the gentleman should be filed for thefuture as well as used when needed.

It was a great honor for us when Peter andPriscilla assisted us at our wedding in 1962. Both mywife Beverly and I were widowed at the time and aclose friend took a series of photographs during theservice, something I would have hated a few yearsbefore that but when I look at these color printstoday I really enjoy thinking back a few years...except that the few were, in reality, 44. It doesn’tseem that long ago.

You know, Bill, it was too bad that I was neverable to latch on to the original artwork which madeup the series chronicling the “Peregrinations of thePecks” but Peter thought he still had the set and saidif he could find them he’d let me have them.Unfortunately, I don’t think they turned up. Hethought they were rather poor. I held an oppositeopinion and still thought they were superb in detailalthough I don’t know how many there were in thatseries.

I’ll pass the word about Mrs. Oliver’s Helckpaintings. I remember meeting both she and Hempat Peter’s many years ago. I had to sell two of myHelcks last year. It was with regret but “just one ofthose things” and it worked out to everyone’ssatisfaction I think.

The two I sold were quite different from eachother. One of them depicted a c. 1925 Bugatti atspeed, a handsome wash study which Peter drew asa cover for THE UHV AUTOMOBILIST in a 1956number.

The other was a pretty good sized painting aswell as a famous one, the Night Riders showing theheadlights of a car as it crests a hill.

Peter painted this one for himself really as hewas experimenting with shades and nuances of adarkening sky between twilight and night.

Peter was honored for his artistry in 1961 witha terrific testimonial dinner at the Salmagundi Clubon New York City’s lower Fifth Avenue. It was ablack tie affair and perhaps 100 in attendance. I wasinvited by Peter.

I think it was about this time that the clubsponsored a sale of artistry by its automotive artistmembers and Peter subtitle “The Night Riders”which was purchased by Alvin J. Arnheim of NewYork City.

As it happened Al and I met not longafterward and he suggested we publish a book thatwe’d write and illustrate on the McFarlanautomobile, built in Connorsville, Indiana from1910 through 1928. It was a well built highlyregarded and very high priced car which, in its bestyear for sales produced 235 cars. That “best year”was 1922, a year a great many makes were throwingin the towel and folding up entirely. Al had learnedto drive on his father’s McFarlan and this was thespark which got us going. He was a fun guy andone of the finest real gentlemen I had or have evermet.

Al was a bachelor in his 60s and drove aJaguar sedan with license plate number AJA-1. Hewas a bachelor and a close friend of Peter who wascomfortably fixed and wanted this book to beabout the best automotive book written.

On week-ends we alternated working at bothTroy, at our home or in New York City at Al’slavish apartment. It took us quite some time to getit just so…but we finally did and it was published in1967.

Pricewise at that time, the book would haveprobably commanded a price in the neighborhoodof $50.

But Al didn’t need the money but just a pricefor the record and it ended up with a selling price


of $5.00 per copy. The run was limited to 1,000copies. I wonder if you got one? I have my copybound in blue leather with my name on the cover ingold plus a sleeve made to keep it in top shape. Theregular cover featured a 1921 McFarlan limousinewith all brightwork in gold, drawn by JohnPeckham, a top artist. Hopefully, you got a copy atthat time. Its title “What Was the McFarlan?” prettymuch describes what its all about.

Al Arnheim accompanied me on the 1968Glidden Tour which we took in a 1923 Pierce-Arrow roadster I borrowed from Joseph E. Josephof North Bennington, Vermont.

Al was always “Uncle Al” to my kids.But his health broke and he passed away at 74.

He left me the “Night Rider” which, by way, wasthe cover subject for THE UHV AUTOMOBILISTfor January 1980.

While I’m thinking of it, did you ever hear ofor know the late William Barnes of Muncie,Indiana? He was a pioneer in automotivetransmissions and had quite a record in the

automotive field. He died March 19th 1987. He hadbeen affiliated with Cadillac Auburn, InternationalHarvester and also had his own business, the BarnesMotor Development Company working with theconcepts of power steering engine design toimprove fuel consumption, power steering andother accomplishments.

I am bringing Bill Barnes up as he was the elderbrother of a brother-in-law of mine, Dr. Frank EricBarnes who had headed the English Departments atRussell Sage College in Troy, N.Y. and DickinsonCollege in Carlisle, Penna.

Eric was the husband of my sister, Peg.That’s about it for now, Bill. Let me know if

you’d like a photocopy of Peter’s letter [re: the HCS]and best wishes.Ed’s Comments: Many thanks Keith for these veryinteresting inputs. And, yes, do send a copy of Peter’sletter.

From: Anthony S. Carroll (No. 8021)Garden City, NY

Date: September 29, 2006Thank you for your letter of the fifteenth. I am

enclosing, for retention in the Stutz archives, thebusiness card of Theo. E. Berg. If you ever find outany information about him, I’d be interested inhearing it..


From: Tom Kinney (#392)Speedway, IN

Date: September 10, 2006

First of all, I noticed a couple weeks ago inthe paper the sad news of the passing of JimHoggatt. He helped me quite a bit when I was firstgetting started with my Frank Lockhart research.

I’ve enclosed several photos from my favoritebook which may or may not help shed some lighton the ancestry of the Stutz Special pictured on theback of the Stutz News No. 74. I have to agreewith member Randolph J. Reed in his letter in StutzNews No. 75 that the Stutz Special certainly lookslike a 1920 Duesenberg Indy car. There are 3 mainpoints of agreement on both cars: First, the shapeon the front of the radiator shell. Second, adistinctive 6 bolt pattern on the frame directly underthe rear edge of the hood. Third, the distinctiveshape and location of the brake lever on the frame.Although the 1920 Duesenberg had only 2-wheel

brakes, the half lever and location are identical tothe Stutz Special. The correct engine for thatvintage would be a 183 cubic inch SOHC straight-8with 3 valves per cylinder, 2 exhaust and 1 intake.By 1924 when Eduardo Luro bought the StutzSpecial, the Indy car regulations had furtherreduced the displacement to 122 cubic inches.

By that time Duesenberg had a DOHC set upand the remarkable “sidewinder” centrifugalsupercharger powered off the middle of theCrankshaft. Of course the Stutz mechanics couldinstall whatever engine the customer wanted,Duesenberg or Stutz. Certainly the most importantfactor would be the regulations in Argentina wherethe car was raced. I hope this information is useful.


From: Joe Taranto (#722) Mt. ViewNSW, Australia

Date: October 4, 2006

Sorry I have taken a while to answer yourletter. I was in the process of having somebrochures printed and I wanted to wait so I couldsend you some along with some photos

The wheel base is 145 inches, I do realize it isnot a Blackhawk. When I purchased the vehicle itwas advertised as a Stutz Blackhawk Limousine.After reading some pertinent material I now realizeit is not a Blackhawk. The engine number is 86204and the car number is AA-D8-R70558. It is a 1927limousine and it has a wind-up window partitionbetween the driver and the passengers. It seats sixpassengers plus the driver.

I operate a Limousine business in the HunterValley Wine Country of NSW. I have a Ford LTDstretch limousine for weddings and wine tastingtours.

I receive a lot of enquiries for weddingsrequiring a vintage car. That is why I decided to buythe Stutz. We purchased the Stutz in February and Ihave already done three weddings with many futurebookings.

I have made contact with Ryder fromCoonnabarabran in NSW to ask about an oil seal,also Ken Stuchbery in Melbourne.


After you printed the story on the car in ournewsletter (see No. 75, pages 20-22 Ed.), I saw theresponse from Cornelius Hauck, another friendlycar enthusiast. Cornelius remembers the car fromthe owner before Ben Johnson, who was JoeMcNutt in Ohio. It is hard to know when Joepurchased it, we suspect around 1949 or 1950, butthanks to Ernie Toth Jr. keeping a for sale ad for thecar, we know that Mr. McNutt was selling it in1952.

So, your help has provided Carrol and I with alot of interesting history the car. Thank you! As forthe car itself, we did get it on the road this year andits “coming out” was at the Wisconsin GrandClassic that Carrol and I ran this summer. Ourfriend Leon Flagg very generously trailered it toLake Geneva for us. I am still doing a lot ofdebugging after its years of sitting. (I had to do aroad side repair to limp it home with Carrol lastSunday.) But I really enjoy working on the car and itis very exciting to bring it back to life. Fortunately,Del was a very sharp mechanic and had theforesight to do things like purchase a replacementcarburetor and save every record and piece ofservice information. (I even found carb adjustingspecs that you mailed to him.)

On another topic, I wanted to tell you that Ihave accepted the role of club historian for theWisconsin Region CCCA. Our friend and fellowmember Ray Hunn kept all the records andpublications for about 50 years so I will sortthrough this and maintain these files at our home.The reason I am telling you this is that I know thatyou have a similar role in our Stutz club and it mightbe interesting for you to know that I will be caringfor these records in case somebody asks you abouthistory on a specific car.

I have also enclosed an article* from a localnewspaper asking what type of car this could be.Another reader wrote advising that it may be a Stutz.What do you think? Maybe you or other readersmay find it of interest.

Also would you know if there are any otherStutz limousines like mine in Australia. I am lookingfor a workshop manual.Ed’s comments: I informed member Taranto that his Stutzwas made around May 1927 and is the only one listed inthe Club directory. Can anyone supply him a workshopmanual?*The car shown is definitely not a Stutz. It is a monstrous8-door stretched 12-pass. Touring car with high discwheels, etc.

From: Carl and Carrol Jensen (#638)Hales Corners, WI

Date: October 20, 2006I hope this letter finds you and Carolyn in

good health. I wanted to let you know that youhave given Carrol and I a considerable amount ofhelp tracking the history on our Stutz. A few weeksago, I finally made contact with Ben Johnson Jr. Avery friendly guy, and a fellow car nut. He has quitea collection of interesting cars, particularly brass eraspeedsters. Ben remembers the car like it wasyesterday. They were the ones who had it paintedand upholstered. He even remembers the upholsteryshop who did it and confirmed that they matchedthe two tone yellow and black pattern exactly. Hestated that his dad did not drive it much, butbetween Ben Sr. and Ben Jr. it sounded like they hada lot of very nice cars, so it does not surprise me.In truth it sounds like the car was not driven much atall after about 1952 when Ben Johnson purchased it.The owner after the Johnsons sold it quickly due tohealth reasons and my friend Del Beyer had it onloan in the Hartford Heritage Museum here inWisconsin for quite a long time.


From: Dean Stahnke, WesternSprings, IL

Date: October 24, 2006

Here are some photos of my 1931 Stutz DV-32 Versailles (Aluminum Body) by Weymann. Theone photo is of the Stutz in 1947 before entering itsgarage tomb. The previous owner fit all the parts inits interior to preserve them. He never got aroundto restoring the car. The other photo shows itsrescue (Ed.)

I ordered the Splendid Stutz book and I can’twait to see the picture of theDV-36 (see page 264Ed.) Could it be my car? I wonder.


The Rescue!


ClassifiedsWANTED

Len B Harvey (#527)8 Beaconview RisePakuranga Auckland2012 New ZealandEmail: [email protected]: +64 9 5768599 (collect)

A pair or one only Delco Lovejoy Rear Shock Ab-sorbers for a 1929 Model M8 Stutz

WANTEDRobert Sposato (#728)24 Colton StreetFarmington, CT 06032Tel: 860-677-0795Email: [email protected]

I have a 28 Roadster that won Senior 1st in 1987. I donot know who owned the car at that time. The car is inexceptional shape and only missing one item. Thebumper step for the rumble seat. If I can’t find one, Iwould like to borrow one and I’ll have a few cast.

1922 Stutz Touring Project for SaleBill Erskine (#555)78 Tree Hill Rd.Williston, VT [email protected] touring car consists of the following:

Very good frameFront axleFront hubs for wood wheels (wood is gone and norims)Left hand drive Gemmer steering (not sure if it is

correct. It is smaller than the right hand one for theBearcats)Very nice radiator shellHood (it came with it but I am not sure if it iscorrect)New castings for hood sill platesVery good cowlDash board with one or two gaugesAluminum floor plates (one may not be the correctone)Floor is there2 sets of Front fendersRear tub for bodyDoors (I am not sure about these. I have notlooked at this stuff for a couple of years)Gas TankHead LightsDemountable head Dual Valve motor (rods andpistons are missing)Dual distributor (missing some parts)Parts for a generatorIntake manifoldTransaxle - all of the transmission gears but theinput gear, a case that looks like it went through afire and probably is not usable, one re-cast flange,brake and backing plate flanges have been cut.Brake shoes. Outer bearing housing is there. Newcastings for nose and front plate. No differential.No axles. No hubs.

Then there are piles of parts that I need to gothrough to see what is extra. I know there are someadditional head light parts. There is some shifter parts.There is some starter switch parts. There are extratransmission gears. There are a couple of intakemanifolds. There are some extra engine parts (lifters,side covers, valve caps for spark plugs, blanks andprimers, etc). There are a couple of air pumps.

Anyway, my asking price is $15K for the touringproject as described above. Any additional parts wouldbe negotiable.


LITERATURE FOR SALE

Original Stutz Literature! Good selection of Stutzsales brochures, factory manuals, etc. for all models.Send stamped envelope with year(s) for free list.Please specify Stutz as I have lists for all cars/trucks/motorcycles, worldwide.

Walter Miller (No. 405)6710 Brooklawn Parkway, Syracuse, NY 13211Tel: 315-432-8282 Fax: 315-432-8256www.autolit.com

The Club and the editors aim to publishaccurate information andrecommendations, but neither assumesresponsibility in the event of claim of lossor damage resulting from publication ofeditorial or advertising matter. Statementsof contributors are their own and do notnecessarily reflect Club policy.

The Splendid Stutz

To : Order Department, The Stutz Club, Inc., 583 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095

Please send me________copies of

The Splendid Stutz. Enclosed is a check for $69.95 plus $5.95 shipping and handling for each

copy:

Name:______________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________

City_______________________________________________________________

State_______________________________Zip_____________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________________________

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