Luxury Reborn

Back in the early days of the automobile industry, Stutz was one of the most impressive names in the industry. The Indianapolis based company began manufacturing cars in 1911 and continued on through 1935. During this time they first came to fame with the Bearcat, a sporty runabout that not only won numerous races and set various speed records, but was the envy of every young, wealthy American male. Later they moved into the luxury end of things.

Like many automobile companies at the time, especially those aiming for the higher end buyers, the Great Depression put a huge hurt on Stutz's cash flow to the point that they were forced to shutter their factory for good in 1935.

But that wasn't the end of the Stutz name. In 1968 some investors created the Stutz Motor Car Company and by 1970 began rolling out the Blackhawk. Like its predecessors, the Blackhawk did not come cheap. Boasting GM running gear, a steel body hand crafted in Italy and just about every luxury feature imaginable, the Blackhawk was dubbed the most expensive car in the world.

Costing as much as four Cadillacs, the Blackhawk drew a very select clientele. In fact, the first one off the line was purchased by Elvis Presley. Other owners included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Evil Knievel, Barry White, and even Lucille Ball. The 1976 Blackhawk IV shown here had an original cost, adjusted for inflation, of about a quarter of a million dollars. It is currently owned by the daughter of the original owner.

The Stutz Motor Car Company managed to stay in business until 1995 when high costs and the exorbitant price of the cars caused sales to dwindle to nothing. It is believed fewer than 700 of these cars were ever manufactured.