Year-by Year Highlights of Mr. Stutz’ Life
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Harry
Clayton
Stutz
circa 1892
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1894: At 18 moved to Dayton and lived with Aunt Lydia Stutz and son Charles. Learned machinist trade at Davis Sewing Machine Co. and National Cash Register.
1897: Repaired bicycles at home located at 2404 E. 3rd St.
1898: Built car "Old Hickory" with 2 h.p.engine. Married Clara Marie Dietz October 25th.
1899: Set up Stutz Mfg. Co. to build gas engines. Relocated to 703 E. May.
1900: Built 2nd car for transportation.
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Emma
Belle
Stutz
circa 1924
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1901: Emma Belle born (she died May 30, 1992)
1902: Sold Stutz Mfg Co. to Lindsay Auto Parts. Co. located at South Street & Senate, Indianapolis.
1903: Moved to Shelby Street, Indianapolis as machinist with Gormully & Jeffery Tire Co. & U.S. Tire.
1904: Salesman for Shebler Carburetor - brought Messrs. Wheeler and Shebler together.
1905: Built "Tourist" car for American Motor Car Co. using 4cyl. by Teetor Bros.
1906-1910: Marion Motor Car Co., Chief Engineer and Designer/Factory manager.
1908: Put his transaxle design in Marion.
1909: Built Marion Pace cars (2) for Indiana Trophy Race at Crown Point - Took 3rd.
Placed 5th in G & J 100 mile trophy race.
Placed 8th in Wheeler/Shebler 300 miler.
Placed 5th in 24 hour Brighton Beach, Brooklyn NY 1-mile oval track.
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H.C. Stutz in a 1910 Marion Racer driven by Adolph Monsen.
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1910: Marion Special Roadster offered for racing.
Toured European Auto Mfgs. in England, France, Germany, Belgium and Holland.
Formed Stutz Auto Parts Co., began selling Stutz Transaxle.
1911: Built Empire Model 20 "The Little Aristocrat"
April began building 1st Stutz for 1st "500"
May 30, placed 11th - no mechanical problems. Slogan "The car that made good in a day" was coined.
June - Leased 430 N. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana building to begin production.
Ideal Motor Car Co. organized with Henry F. Campbell, President. Built factory @ 221 West 10th St.
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1913
Stutz
Bearcat
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1912: Introduced "Bear Cat" for Stutz Motorcar Co.
1913: Ideal & Auto Parts companies merged into Stutz Motor Car Co. (Indiana Corporation) with Harry as president.
1914: 1st building facing Capitol built. Building A.
1915: New cross country record by Barney Oldfield.
World Champions in racing with White Squadron using 300cc 50 OHC 4 valve/cyl.
1st & 2nd at Chicago & Elgin IL, Minneapolis, MN, and Sheepshead Bay NY.
Placed 1st and 2nd in Astor Cup, racing 350 miles averaging 102.6 and 102.2 m.p.h., respectively.
1916: Organized Stutz Motor Car Company of America Inc.(SMCC of America) and listed on NYSE.
Allen Ryan took over company. Harry stayed on as President under contract for 3 years to 7/1/19.
1917: Stutz built own engine, a 360cu 16 valve 4 cyl with 80 hp. Machine shop built and plant expanded.
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1919 Stutz Fire Engine Company Heavy Duty Pumper.
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1919: Harry left company July 1st and moved his operations to 1400 N. Capitol:
Stutz Fire Apparatus Co.
HCS Motor Car Co. 3001 cars sold.
1920: Stutz factory expansion completed
1921/1922: Post WWI Depression
1925: Married Blanche Clark Miller, Divorced Clara and moved to Orlando, FL.
Emma married William S Horn
1926: Grandson W.S.H. Jr. Born.
Developed 4 cyl opposed engine for Stutz Bellanca Aircraft Co.
H.C.S. & Fire companies closed down.
1930: died June 26, at Methodist Hospital.
Buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, with Secrest Family.
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1993: Inducted into Automobile Hall of Fame- Midland, Michigan.
Automotive Hall of Fame Chairman Ronald Cutler, Hall of Fame President Gene McKinney, Robert Stutz and his Son.
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Information on this page has been excerpted from The Splendid Stutz, a 392 page hardbound history of Harry Clayton Stutz and the cars produced under his leadership. To find out more about this book CLICK HERE.
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