Beschreibung:

Photo Credit: James Mann FROM THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM B. RUGER The ex-Bill Harrah Collection 1921 STUTZ SERIES K FOUR PASSENGER TOURING Serial No. 10273 Engine No. K 10255 Red with black fenders and black leather upholstery Engine: Detachable T-cylinder head, four cylinder, in-line, 361ci, 88bhp at 2,400rpm; Gearbox: three-speed manual; Suspension: semi-elliptic springs front and rear; Brakes: mechanical drums on rear wheels. Right hand drive. Harry Clayton Stutz conceived the audacious plan of taking the very first car to bear his name to the inaugural Indianapolis 500 to prove its worth! He did just that, using a rugged and powerful Wisconsin T-head engine mated to his own transaxle. Despite a devilish amount of tire failures, the new car managed to place a quite respectable 11th against some very fast purpose-built racecars. A year later the splendid Bearcat came along. The K series touring cars shared many of the four cylinder Bearcat's mechanical components such as the engine and transaxle. They were among the last to use the Stutz-designed and built T-head engines. Boasting four valves per cylinder, these monobloc engines gave a very tidy appearance under the hood and developed 80bhp - eight more horsepower than their great racing and road rival, the L-head four cylinder Mercer. Bill Ruger acquired this car from one of the famous Harrah automobile auctions conducted by Dean Kruse on Sunday 30 September, 1984 (lot 316). Although this Stutz was catalogued in the Harrah auction as a Model K, we suspect that its true designation should be KDH as it features the new 'Detachable Head' engine which was developed during 1921 although some books do not list the model appearing until 1922. The new engine now produced some 88bhp with the letters KDH indicating a right hand drive model and KDLH the left hand drive model. This Stutz Series K four passenger tourer from the Ruger Collection is offered in older restored condition. The paintwork is presentable with hand painted black coachlines on red, although the paint is slightly suffering from age with various scratches and polishing marks. The original wire wheels are painted red with older whitewall tires. The interior is upholstered in black leather and has a nice patina. A new convertible top has only just been fitted, along with a new top boot. The side curtains are older but still serviceable with slightly yellowed windows. The car still retains its original Stutz drum headlights, single Stutz taillight and driver's spotlight. An older trunk is mounted on the rear together with a spare wheel. Mechanically the car appears to be in good condition and the valves have been recently reground. The engine has been fitted with a Stromberg carbureter and correct Delco twin coils. Interestingly the last year of the right hand drive model was in 1922. A step plate and after-market running board boot cleaner are also fitted. This Stutz is generally presentable and of quality and it should make a comfortable long distance tourer as well as an entrant for major meets of national antique auto clubs. WITHOUT RESERVE