The Stutz Bearcat automobile appeared around 1912, the latest creation of Harry C. Stutz and his new company, Stutz Motor Car Company. Harry Stutz became involved in motor cars at the dawn of their existence in America.

Harry began work in 1903 for American Motor Car Company, where he soon became Chief Engineer. From 1906 - 1910, Stutz worked at The Marion Company.

In 1910, Harry Stutz set out to form his own company along with an associate from Marion. At first known as Stutz Auto Parts Company, he quickly moved to building automobiles.

Their very first prototype, the Stutz Roadster, was hurriedly put together in just five weeks, and was entered in the 1911 Indianapolis 500 race. The car, driven by Gil Anderson, finished an amazing 11th place despite repeated tire trouble. The average speed was 68 miles per hour. Instantly, the Stutz name became known among auto enthusiasts.

The next big advance for Stutz was the 1912 Stutz Bearcat, which won 25 of 30 races in which it was entered. The 1913 Stutz Bearcat finished 3rd at Indy. In 1915, the "White Squadron" of Stutz race drivers managed 3rd, 4th, and 7th place finishes for the Stutz Bearcat at the Indianapolis 500.

Also in 1915, Erwin "Cannonball" Baker broke the cros-country speed record, driving from San Diego to New York in just over 11 days. The subsequent "Cannonball Run" films of the 1980's draw from the Baker legacy.

Early Bearcats managed just 50 horsepower. Their underslung design gave a lower center of gravity, reducing the chance of the vehicle turning over. Weight was closely limited, and at first there were no doors on the open-cockpit Bearcats. These models also had minimal windshields to avoid wind drag, opting for small "monocle" wind screens.

In addition to its racing heritage, The Stutz Bearcat remains a symbol of The Roaring Twenties, of bathtub gin, racoon coats, and affluent college students.

The car had always cost at least 2 to 3 times that of an ordinary automobile of the day. The car was never thought to be very conducive to attract women drivers, having a clutch that required great strength to shift.

To meet increased demand, New York money man Allan A. Ryan was sold controlling interest in the company. Harry Stutz sold his remaining interest in 1919. The Stutz Bearcat continued in production until the mid 1920's.

In 1923, new Stutz Motor Car Company President, Frederick E. Moskowics, began producing sedans with emphasis on luxury and safety. Meanwhile, Harry Stutz had moved to producing fire engines and a new company, H. C. S. Motor Car Company.

Moskowics was replaced by Edgar S. Gorrell in 1929, just in time for the Great Crash in the stock market. The Great Depression that followed forced teh original company making the Stutz Bearcat out of business in 1935.

A number of attempts to revive the legacy of the Stutz Bearcat took place over the years. Noteably, Howard D. Williams of Oklahoma, began in 1967 to produce replicas of the legendary auto. He promoted an annual race of these reproductions from Oklahoma City to Chicago.

About the Author:
Lawrence R. Bell is Editor of The Antiques Bible at http://www.antiques-bible.com/ppf/term/Stutz+Bearcat+Automobiles/definition.asp. The Antiques Bible is an illustrated glossary of antique terms with helpful links to related resources.