A worthy successor to the legendary Bearcat, the Stutz Black Hawk Speedster was among the most advanced and stylish American performance cars of its time. As the first boattail speedster from a major US automaker, it combined rakish Robbins coachwork with cutting-edge engineering, earning its place as the fastest production car in America.
The Black Hawk’s emergence followed a dramatic revival of the Stutz Motor Company. After Harry C. Stutz departed in 1919, the company endured financial instability until engineer Frederick Moskovics took the helm. He introduced the revolutionary “Safety Stutz” chassis in 1926, featuring a low-slung double-drop frame, worm-drive rear axle, and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The new Vertical Eight engine—a straight-eight with single overhead camshaft, twin ignition, crossflow porting, and chain drive—was smooth, quiet, and decades ahead of its time.
Stutz cemented its performance prowess on the international stage when, at the 1928 24 Hours of Le Mans, a four-passenger Black Hawk Speedster led much of the race, astonishing spectators by holding off the dominant Bentley factory team before a loss of high gear late in the race dropped it to a still-impressive second-place finish.
Originally constructed as a Seven-Passenger Sedan Limousine, this magnificent Stutz AA Black Hawk Vertical Eight now wears sporting boattail speedster coachwork in the legendary Robbins style. Finished in elegant two-tone beige and tan with red wire wheels, blackwall tires, and red cabin trim, it perfectly captures the era’s sporting flair. Knowing enthusiasts will appreciate the litany of proper details, including minimalist cycle fenders, alloy step plates, dual side-mounted spares, drum headlights, wind wings, and the iconic Stutz radiator mascot. Meanwhile the cabin’s eye-catching red trim and carpets highlight a simple but well-equipped dash and an outstanding wood-rimmed steering wheel. Period touches continue into the engine bay, which includes a Wall Oil Rectifier filtration device and the legendary Stutz single overhead cam straight-eight engine highlighted by a beige block and signature red cam cover.
Today, original, documented, and properly restored examples are exceedingly rare and seldom come to market. Evocative of an era when speed met style with unapologetic flair, this Black Hawk offers a unique opportunity to own a faithful tribute to a true American great.
