1913 Stutz Bearcat Beautifully Restored Example Exc. Running and Driving Cond.

The Stutz Bearcat was THE American sports car of the pre– and post–World War I period. Essentially, the Bearcat was a shorter, lighter version of the standard Stutz passenger car's chassis. It was originally powered by a 390-cubic-inch, 60-horsepower straight-four engine produced by the Wisconsin Motor Manufacturing Company. Common with racing and sports cars of the period, it featured minimal bodywork consisting of a "dog house" hood, open bucket seats, a tiny "monocle" windscreen in front of the driver, and a cylindrical fuel tank on a short rear deck. Production Bearcats differed from the factory "White Squadron" racers by having fenders, lights and a trunk. According to factory literature from 1913 the Bearcat "was designed to meet the needs of the customer desiring a car built along the lines of a racing car with a slightly higher gear ratio than our normal torpedo roadster, has met with great favor with motor car owners and meets the demand for a car of this class".

The original production Bearcat was introduced in the Series A of 1912. The first public mention of the car (then spelled "Bear Cat") is in an advertisement in the 1912 program for the Indianapolis 500 mile race. This ad also was the first to use the soon to be famous Stutz slogan "The Car that made good in a day" referring to the Stutz racer's 11th-place finish in the 1911 Indianapolis 500. The Series E of 1913 brought electric lights and starter. A six-cylinder option was available for an extra $250.00. The doorless body style lasted through 1916. A sales catalog lists the available colors for the Series E as vermillion, monitor gray, and Mercedes red. Wire wheels were listed as a $125 option.

The Bearcat progressed as the years passed ending in its purest form before WW1. Very few early Bearcats remain, you can count them on 3, maybe 4 hands.

This stunning example was restored around 2002, and remains in excellent condition. The car is powered by a 389ci Wisconsin T-head inline-four that features two monobloc cylinder and head castings, twin-plug ignition with a Bosch dual-distributor magneto, and a Stromberg G No. 3 updraft carburetor. Featuring a rear-mounted three-speed manual transaxle, internally expanding rear drum brakes, a Gemmer worm-and-roller steering gear, and extremely rare Baker 34” wood-spoke wheels with demountable rims; an electric starter, and dual bucket seats trimmed in tufted black leather.
Mounted with drum-style electric headlamps, Solar electric tail and cowl lamps, the car features a painted radiator shell, a Boyce MotoMeter, a steering-column-mounted monocle windscreen, Dual Rear Spares, and a rear-mounted trunk. Finished in a striking color combination with jewel like finishes and impeccable attention to detail, this beautiful example is also in excellent running and driving condition. This Bearcat is a thrill to drive and ready for all many important driving and rallying events for which its eligible.

Held in important collections since its restoration, and displayed at the LeMay Museum in 2023, this important and desirable Bearcat will be the centerpiece of any collection of important motorcars. The Stutz Bearcat is a legendary car, and early examples such as this one rarely become available. Don't miss this opportunity to add one of the most iconic cars of all time to your collection.