1918 Stutz Series G Victoria Tourer
Coachwork by Stutz
Chassis no. G3658
Engine no. 3462
360ci T-Head 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Carburetor
88bhp
3-Speed Manual Transaxle
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Drum Brakes

*Formerly part of the legendary AK Miller collection
*Rare four-passenger Victoria Tourer
*Powerful and enjoyable driver's car
*Reported to be running well

THE STUTZ

The Stutz Company and the Bearcat model were famous from day one. Soon after completion, Harry C. Stutz sent the prototype Bearcat racer to compete in the 1911 inaugural Indianapolis 500 race. The untested car did remarkably well, finishing the race and beating many established brands, earning the Stutz the slogan, 'The Car That Made Good in a Day.'

First offered to the public in 1912, the Bearcat was essentially a road-worthy version of the highly successful Stutz racers that followed the original Indy car. A radically designed sports car through and through, the Bearcat had just two bucket seats and no convertible top or windshield. Like the Stutz racing cars, the Bearcat was constructed around a low-slung chassis, ensuring a lower center of gravity and good handling characteristics in addition to its lightweight design.

Initially powered by a Wisconsin T-head engine, it would be eventually replaced by a Stutz-built, sixteen-valve, four-cylinder unit that drew heavily on Stutz's racing experience. The Stutz 'White Squadron' racers were powered by engines featuring four valves per cylinder; the potential increase in performance over a traditional two-valve engine was made clear!

The new, more advanced power plant demanded an improved chassis. Stutz responded with a heavier chassis to cope with the power, as well as attractive modern coachwork. Still built on a short and light 120' chassis, the new model would move the center of gravity even lower by placing the tank down low in the rear, with a rear deck fitted to hold a couple of raked spares in racing fashion. This redesign produced an aesthetically menacing machine and would bestow upon the Bearcat its second golden era. Challenged only by its fierce rival Mercer, the Stutz represented the ultimate in American sporting cars of the time.

THE CAR OFFERED

This charming Model G Victoria tourer is one of the rarest Stutz models of this period. The attractive body work is more close-coupled than the standard tourer and features a shapely tussle at the back with a storage compartment. This is one of two examples that resided in A.K. Miller's famed hoard of Stutz automobiles in Vermont, without question the greatest assemblage of Stutz motorcars ever collected.

The G Series Stutz benefits from being the only model in the 'Dual Valve' era equipped with Rudge-Whitorth wheels and hubs, giving the car a fabulous look that separates it from other Stutz cars of the era. Fortunately, since leaving the AK Miller collection in 1996 the Victoria has seen plenty of mechanical work but has had minimal cosmetic work preserving its highly original quality. The Stutz is particularly impressive when you open the hood: the big dual-valve engine wears its correct carburetor, distributor, generator, and other ancillaries—parts that are exceedingly rare. Said to be in fine running order, it offers the ideal combination of usability and originality.

A super rare and wonderfully charismatic car with exceptional provenance, this Stutz offers a lot of car at a modest entry point.