Grand Stutz 2004
Redondo Beach, California

Thursday September 9, 2004 through Sunday September 12, 2004

As with any great tour, there are always a few bumps in the road. The Grand Stutz 2004 is no exception. To put it in automotive terms, we have gotten a flat, but have replaced it with the spare and are on the road again. Let me explain more directly. The Donald Trump Organization and Acura have decided not to support the Palos Verdes Concours of which we were to be honored guests. The concours steering committee has rescheduled their show, but on a different day and at a different venue. At this late date it was impossible for us to reschedule all of our plans. Instead we will have the Grand Stutz 2004 Concours on Sunday Morning, September 12th, as previously scheduled but we will be showing only Stutzes. The car show and picnic will be held in a grassy meadow at the South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes about 15 minutes drive from our hotel. This will be a much more intimate setting and every bit as beautiful as the golf course. I hope that this change will not inconvenience anyone. There are no other changes to the schedule. The weather will still be wonderful and the ocean will still be blue and sparkling here in sunny Southern California, so please make your plans to attend... and bring a Stutz!

Crowne Plaza Hotel

We will be staying at the Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach & Marina Hotel in Redondo Beach California. This hotel is across the street from the marina and many of the rooms have views of the ocean and harbor. Ask for an ocean view if you want one. They have given us a special rate of $149 per night. Included with your room is complimentary self-parking in their parking structure or $10 for valet parking. In order to get the reduced Stutz Club rates, you must make your reservations before August 18, 2004. Please don't wait that long to make your reservation, though, because this is a popular area and the hotel could fill up. If you would like the Executive floor, it is an additional $20 per night which includes a light breakfast and other amenities.

Individual Reservations

You must identify yourself as being part of the Stutz Car Club to ensure the special rate. Reservation may be guaranteed after 6:00PM by credit card or advance deposit for first night stay. All guest cancellation notices must be received befo9re 6:00PM the day of arrival and receive a cancellation number in order to receive a full refund of deposit. Any guest cancellation after 6:00PM the day of arrival will result in a forfeiture of all deposits. Please call the Reservations Department at 310-318-8888 or 80-368-9780 from outside the Los Angeles area.

Garage Space will be roped off in the bottom garage corner for about 20 cars. If required by members using this area, the Stutz Car Club can hire a Security Officer to watch these cars. Please let me know when sending in your fees. If no one believes a Security Officer is needed because they will not be leaving their cars overnight, the car will be secure in their trailer, etc., then a Security Officer will not be contracted. The Stutz Club members will follow the garage policies as stated on their entry tickets, and they understand the hotel is not responsible for their cars.

We have arranged with the city of Redondo Beach to allow the parking of trailers and motor homes in the lot that is across the street from the hotel next to the marina. The charge is $6.00 per vehicle or trailer per day.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, September 9

Morning: Grand Stutz 2004 Check-in.

San Sylmar and the Nethercutt Museum

Check-in for the guided tour will be 1:00PM. The 2-hour tour conducted by Byron Matson will begin promptly at 1:30PM. San Sylmar is the home of many of the world's finest antique, classic and special interest automobiles. One of the unique aspects of the collection is the mechanical and musical instrument collection ranging from tiny musical pocket watches to nickelodeons and orchestrions. Plan to arrive earlier or stay later to visit the Nethercutt Museum across the street form San Sylmar. There are over 100 restored (mostly Classic) automobiles at the Nethercutt Museum.

You are on your own. There are many fine restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. There may be places of interest on the way back from the Nethercutt Collection that you may want to visit.

Friday, September 10

Friday morning we will take a leisurely tour around the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This area is lightly trafficked. The road sits atop high cliffs along much of the way affording beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. The tour will take us up to lunchtime.

After lunch we will caravan to Long Beach in either Stutz or modern for a tour of member Stan Lucas' automobile collection. He has many fine antique and classic automobiles including Stutz, Doble, Bentley, Bugatti, and Lincoln.

Evening

You are on your own to meet with other members and enjoy other sights in the area.

Saturday, September 11

We plan to arrive at The Petersen Automotive Museum at 10:00AM. The Stutz Club member discounted admission will be $5.00 per person. Parking is $6.00 per car for modern cars, free for Stutz automobiles.

The Stutz Club has parking and entry reservations for the Getty Museum for 1:30PM. The Getty is one of the finest art museums in the world. The tour is self-guided. There are 2 cafes and a picnic area on the museum grounds.

At 7:00PM, we will meet for dinner at a wonderful Brazilian restaurant. The room has a 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and King Harbor Marina. Hopefully, there will be a beautiful sunset. The meal will be served at round tables family style with many side dishes and salads and a variety of meats, including beef tenderloin, in-tip, pepper steak, turkey wrapped in bacon, lamb, and chicken, all prepared in a unique Brazilian barbecue style, that will be carved at your table. Also included are soft drinks, coffee, and dessert. It's all you can eat, so bring a healthy appetite. The cost for dinner will be $50 per person. After dinner, well-known Duesenberg historian Randy Ema will present a historical perspective on the Stutz Duesenberg connection.

Sunday, September 12

The Stutz Club will be presenting the Grand Stutz 2004 car show, picnic and tire-kicking event at the South Coast Botanic Garden. As many cars as we can muster will be displayed on the grassy meadow in the gardens. There will be no entry fees for Stutz vehicles together with the occupants of each car. Those attending without a Stutz will be charged the regular admission fee of $6 for adults and $4 for children. There is a picnic area for those who wish to bring a picnic lunch. No glass containers are allowed, only paper, plastic or metal containers. We have the use of the meadow from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.

This officially concludes the Grand Stutz. However, if anyone is interested, fellow Stutz Club member Jay Leno is scheduled to perform at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach on Sunday evening at 7:00PM. The venue is about 1.2 miles up the beach from the hotel. The weather is usually warm at this time of year and it should be a pleasant walk. If people are interested, reservations must be made in advance. The cost is $30 per person with a two-drink minimum.

Miscellaneous Notes

Some people have requested that buses be available for some of the excursions. Initial inquiries show this to be rather expensive. If we can get 24 people to sign up for a bus to visit San Sylmar, the cost will be approximately $25 per person. If it were possible to carpool with local members or with those having rental cars it would save quite a bit of money.

Fees

Registration Fee: $30 per person

Includes participation in:

• Private Tour of San Sylmar
• Reduced rate at Petersen Automotive Museum
• Palos Verdes Driving Tour for 2 at Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance with a Stutz Automobile
• Free Parking in hotel structure for Stutz Automobiles

Banquet $55 per person

CLICK HERE for Grand Stutz Registration Form*

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