Grant knew of the car, and shared this info:
this is one of three 1915 Stutz that came to New Zealand after WW1 and was raced very successfully.
Photo shows it during WW2 having been re-engined with a Marmon Roosevelt motor and put to use pushing a hay rake on a farm in Taranaki.
Acquired by Ron Roycroft and passed to Len Southward who did a very full and correct restoration.
The car is on display in the Southward Museum near Wellington.
I had a miniature Stutz Bearcat when I was five. It originally had a small battery powered motor in it but Grandpa put a 5hp Tecumseh in it! I used to blast around the neighborhood with surplus WWI leather flying goggles and a snoopy 'Red Baron' scarf my mother found somewhere....good times while it lasted.
ReplyDeleteAlas when we left that place it stayed right there in the yard after my dad used it to plug a hole in the fence. Oh well nothing lasts forever.....
wow! I bet you were the coolest kid in town in the eyes of every other kid, and a lot of adults!
DeleteI'm still the coolest 'kid' in town, just ask my wife.....
Delete1915 Indianapolis Stutz, one of three. This one, No 5, came to New Zealand after WW1 and was raced very successfully. Photo shows it during WW2 having been re-engined with a Marmon Roosevelt motor and put to use pushing a hay rake on a farm in Taranaki. Acquired by Ron Roycroft and passed to Len Southward who did a very full and correct restoration. The car is on display in the Southward Museum near Wellington. Lots of photos on the web.
ReplyDeletethank you for the info! But, you mention #5, and this clearly displays a #7 on the side.
DeleteRegardless, I suspect you hit the 5 instead of the 7 by mistake, as I often do.
Thank you for the information!
No mistake! It raced at Indianapolis in 1915 as No 5 and came in third, the other Stutzes that year were no's 1 & 4. It carried No 7 in New Zealand. A little more information: This car was imported into New Zealand in 1923 and raced successfully in many events including the domination of the Muriwai Beach Races and the NZ Motor Cup in 1926, 27 and 28 driven by Bob Wilson. The Stutz was later dismantled, the engine used in a speedboat, the chassis fitted with another engine and used as a farm tractor. Many years later the engine and chassis were reunited and restored to its former glory by the Southward Car Museum. Engine; 296 cu in Wisconsin 4 cylinder OHC
Deletedang! That makes sense! Sure am appreciating the info you shared!
DeleteUsed as a farm tractor... ain't that a shame for such a historic racer? Someone ought to make a movie about that!