T
he often heard phrase, 'if only these walls could talk' is readily applicable to cars as well. Every vehicle has a story to tell, a history to ravel in, and a tale to regale. One car that has a very exciting recent history is the 1929 (and sometimes 1930) Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe with coachwork by Lancefield. The early history of this car is a little fuzzy, but the most exciting part is the recent history of the vehicle.
The car is unique for a few reasons. First, it is a
supercharged car, on of two supercharged Model M's, with the blower placed prominently in the front of the car, just below the grill (similar to a
"Blower" Bentley 4 1/2). Second, the car was built by an American company, Stutz, but bodied by an English one, Lancefield, and represents one of the few examples of a Lancefield body on something other than a Rolls Royce. Finally, the history of the car is intriguing and adds some value to it.
The car's original purchaser is unknown, but what is known is that the car was documented in a November 1929 article of
Autocar magazine. The car later found its way to the United States where it became part of the collection of one A.K. Miller, a reclusive Vermont farmer who amassed one of the most impressive and neglected collections of Stutz cars in th
e world. Mr. Miller kept the cars unseen for decades, until his death in 1996 (he died when he fell of the ladder of a Stutz firetruck that he was using to change a barn window) prompted a Christie's auction of the estate to pay for the back taxes he owed the IRS.
At that auction, the car featured here sold in 'barn find' condition for
$135,000 (its the fourth car fromt he bottom). After a comprehensive restoration was co
mpleted and a Pebble Beach class win, the car once again went up on the block in New York on Sept 23, 2000 at an RM Auction, this time selling for
$348,800 to racecar driver and race driving school pioneer,
Skip Barber. As the
Sports Car Market profile I have linked to details, there was cause to believe the car would continue to increase in value even then. Skip refined the restoration and entered the car in the
Peking to Paris Rally and took Best of Show at the
Greenwich Concours in 2006. The most recent chapter in the car's history
was its sale this past August by RM Auctions at the
Meadow Brook Hall Concours. Spirited bidding carried the price of the car up to a $715,000! The car is now in the always growing O'Quinn Collection in Houston, TX and will no doubt continue to appreciate in value.
For comparison purposes, check out the profile on this
1932 Stuts SV-16 Derham Convertible. The prefx on the chassis number is 'M
B,' denoting that this is a Model M like the car featured. Notice the price. This might give you an idea of the value collectors hold for unique styling, interesting history, and grand rarity.
Note: The year confusion is due to the fact the car was built and delivered in 1929, but titled as a 1930 model.
For a detailed history of the car and some more pictures, see the
RM Auction Profile (second from the top, lot 251).
people as a result of its founder, Henry Ford. While Ford (the man) was an amazing innovator, businessman, and entrepreneur, he was also an out-spoken anti-Semite (tying in closely with his anti-immigration views). Ford expressed his views in his newspaper, The Dearborn Independent. In his most infamous anti-Semitic action, Ford published The International Jew, a series of article published from May to October of 1920 supported the Protocol of the Elders of Zion and created a Jewish conspiracy theory in some groups.
any other activity, brings out some of the most interesting things in people. Some of the most docile people are reckless drivers, and vice versa. People often pay little attention to the world around them and car little for the cars around them. When you're driving a modern car, this fact can be more of a nuisance than a danger. The same cannot be said for when you're driving an old car.
As you can imagine, steering a 5000 lb. car with no power steering requires a bit of arm strength and stopping it with no power brakes (and drum brakes at that) requires a good bit of advanced planning.
m to notice the car, despite the fact that it is as big as a Ford Expedition and sticks out like a sore thumb.
ameter and pretty much useless. People just don't consider the limitations imposed by a 59 year old car compared to their much newer car.
he often heard phrase, 'if only these walls could talk' is readily applicable to cars as well. Every vehicle has a story to tell, a history to ravel in, and a tale to regale. One car that has a very exciting recent history is the 1929 (and sometimes 1930) Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe with coachwork by Lancefield. The early history of this car is a little fuzzy, but the most exciting part is the recent history of the vehicle.
e world. Mr. Miller kept the cars unseen for decades, until his death in 1996 (he died when he fell of the ladder of a Stutz firetruck that he was using to change a barn window) prompted a Christie's auction of the estate to pay for the back taxes he owed the IRS.
mpleted and a Pebble Beach class win, the car once again went up on the block in New York on Sept 23, 2000 at an RM Auction, this time selling for $348,800 to racecar driver and race driving school pioneer, Skip Barber. As the Sports Car Market profile I have linked to details, there was cause to believe the car would continue to increase in value even then. Skip refined the restoration and entered the car in the Peking to Paris Rally and took Best of Show at the Greenwich Concours in 2006. The most recent chapter in the car's history
was its sale this past August by RM Auctions at the Meadow Brook Hall Concours. Spirited bidding carried the price of the car up to a $715,000! The car is now in the always growing O'Quinn Collection in Houston, TX and will no doubt continue to appreciate in value.
B,' denoting that this is a Model M like the car featured. Notice the price. This might give you an idea of the value collectors hold for unique styling, interesting history, and grand rarity.
