"So you want to buy a Stutz?" by Norm Barr

The owner of a fine Stutz motor car is asked many questions, often the first question is "how much is a car like this worth?"

Invariably, the second question is "where could I buy a car similar to this?"

With the popularity of the Stutz Club website, it seems the perfect opportunity to answer at least these two popular questions.

One of my vintage car friends in answer to the first question always says "I don’t know but how much have you got".

And to the second question "keep looking".

Sadly of course some of our fine Stutz motor cars are the only survivors of a particular model year and some coachbuilders constructed only one example of a particular type.

But don’t despair, there are still many examples of original factory bodied cars scattered amongst the Stutz club members. The sedans may be the least desirable but at least they are affordable and if in good mechanical condition a pleasure to drive.

A number of cars always will be available through sales columns in car magazines, prices can be very variable depending on year, model, condition and desirability.

We do, however, have to clearly define one thing, just as "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" so price is determined by circumstance. It has been very interesting to note auction prices over the past couple of years, particularly where more than one person attends a sale room for the express purpose of acquiring a particular car.

These benchmark prices as we call them do reflect very accurately a particular cars true value on the open market. Of course this always leads to one of our present day problems, a high sale figure for a particular model or coachbuilder, invariably leads during discussion to the comment that "I have got a Stutz and one of these cars recently sold for £………". Everything has its price, overpriced or imperfect or non desirable models not sold in sale rooms are still extensively advertised at prices sometimes much in excess of that particular cars real value.

The club is very fortunate in the fact that many of our member still have original unrestored cars, these are still in regular recreational use. It is the opinion of many worldwide enthusiasts that these cars should not be restored to concourse or as new condition, their value as original or unrestored cars will only increase as the years go by.

There are of course the "basket cases" where the mortal remains or parts need only one course of action and that is total restoration of the project. Yes, total restoration is very expensive and should only be considered for a very desirable type and model and again the cost of the original parts would have to take the restoration costs into account.

Membership of the Stutz club will help you if you do wish to acquire a Stutz or HCS motor car or if you already have one and require technical information or spare parts.

Stutz Club membership gives access to owners and enthusiasts who have many years experience of these splendid cars and who are able to assist with solving problems, supplying spare parts and advising people who wish to buy or sell Stutz and HCS motor cars. You can join the club on line, membership will put you in touch with all Stutz club members and officers worldwide.

When is a "basket case" so described, you judge for yourselves, these cars looked like this when they left the factory some 70 years and still do today.

"Basket cases" maybe but these were the mortal remains of the same cars before restoration.