455ci OHV Pontiac V8
Single 4-Barrel Carburetor
425bhp
3-Speed Turbo-HydraMatic Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
* Single owner for 43 years
* Cost $38,550 new
* Under 21,000-believed-to-be-original miles
* The ultimate expression of 1970s motoring
THE STUTZ BLACKHAWK
2011 marked the centennial of America's most sporting prewar car, Stutz. The original brand for which it is generally heralded failed in the mid-1930s, however, in a little over two decades, the company left an incredible legacy of racing success which began in their earliest days. Despite always being a small, low production company, Stutz was always well known for speed and performance and for its Indianapolis earned motto "The Car That Made Good in a Day." Such was the success of its products, that to this day two of its model names 'Bearcat' and 'Blackhawk' resonate greater than some car companies.
For the next 30 or more years the Stutz name would lay dormant, until the late 1960s when it would be revived in an altogether different incarnation, as the Stutz Motor Car of America. As marque revivals go the resuscitation of the Stutz brand in 1969 was perhaps more a case of finding a name to fit a product, but it was surely testament to the original company's success that the felt that the company and a product name such as Blackhawk would still have significance after nearly two generations of absence in the car market.
With funding from New York banker James O'Connell, and House of Representatives member for Oklahoma Howard Williams behind the project, none other than famed designer Virgil Exner penned a design that as ever was sure to draw attention. Built on a contemporary Pontiac chassis and powered by their 'big block' engine, some 425bhp was on tap to propel an all new luxurious Stutz.
To give some sense of the market that the car was aimed at, Elvis Presley purchased the first one, and would later buy three others, while a number of celebrities also picked up on this fashion accessory, including Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin as well as Lucille Ball and Liberace. Various iterations followed, with different General Motors running gear, while the cost of purchasing one ballooned to more than $30,000, perhaps surprisingly this second Stutz company would survive until 1992 in some form, nearly as long as the first.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
According to a copy of the original bill of sale, this 1972 Blackhawk Coupe was sold new on July 23, 1973 to Merlyn "Mike" F. Mickelson for the astronomical sum at the time of $38,550—about the price of a new Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and a Dino 246GT—it is little wonder only 31 examples were built in '72. The founder and CEO of Fabri-Tek, a pioneer in the computer hardware business, Mr. Mickelson was already providing hardware to as varied a group of clients as the military on one end and makers of the Concorde jet on the other—so an Italian built, American-powered vessel of luxury was not out of hand. A resident of Minneapolis at the time, he kept the car for over four decades, driving it sparingly but lovingly maintaining it. Kept by its second owner for six years, it was acquired by the vendor last year.
Reported to be in remarkable well preserved condition, it is noted by the seller that the only non-original parts are the wheels, shocks, and tires—all of which have replaced with correct-type replacements. Showing just over 20,800 miles—a figure that is described as from new, this triple distilled, charcoal filtered highball of 1970s groovy-ness is certainly one of the finest examples extant. Looking good today, it is sure to turn a few heads when you take it out. Between its performance, design and details it is sure to provide good entertainment for the driver too!
455ci OHV Pontiac V8
Single 4-Barrel Carburetor
425bhp
3-Speed Turbo-HydraMatic Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
* Single owner for 43 years
* Cost $38,550 new
* Under 21,000-believed-to-be-original miles
* The ultimate expression of 1970s motoring
THE STUTZ BLACKHAWK
2011 marked the centennial of America's most sporting prewar car, Stutz. The original brand for which it is generally heralded failed in the mid-1930s, however, in a little over two decades, the company left an incredible legacy of racing success which began in their earliest days. Despite always being a small, low production company, Stutz was always well known for speed and performance and for its Indianapolis earned motto "The Car That Made Good in a Day." Such was the success of its products, that to this day two of its model names 'Bearcat' and 'Blackhawk' resonate greater than some car companies.
For the next 30 or more years the Stutz name would lay dormant, until the late 1960s when it would be revived in an altogether different incarnation, as the Stutz Motor Car of America. As marque revivals go the resuscitation of the Stutz brand in 1969 was perhaps more a case of finding a name to fit a product, but it was surely testament to the original company's success that the felt that the company and a product name such as Blackhawk would still have significance after nearly two generations of absence in the car market.
With funding from New York banker James O'Connell, and House of Representatives member for Oklahoma Howard Williams behind the project, none other than famed designer Virgil Exner penned a design that as ever was sure to draw attention. Built on a contemporary Pontiac chassis and powered by their 'big block' engine, some 425bhp was on tap to propel an all new luxurious Stutz.
To give some sense of the market that the car was aimed at, Elvis Presley purchased the first one, and would later buy three others, while a number of celebrities also picked up on this fashion accessory, including Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin as well as Lucille Ball and Liberace. Various iterations followed, with different General Motors running gear, while the cost of purchasing one ballooned to more than $30,000, perhaps surprisingly this second Stutz company would survive until 1992 in some form, nearly as long as the first.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
According to a copy of the original bill of sale, this 1972 Blackhawk Coupe was sold new on July 23, 1973 to Merlyn "Mike" F. Mickelson for the astronomical sum at the time of $38,550—about the price of a new Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and a Dino 246GT—it is little wonder only 31 examples were built in '72. The founder and CEO of Fabri-Tek, a pioneer in the computer hardware business, Mr. Mickelson was already providing hardware to as varied a group of clients as the military on one end and makers of the Concorde jet on the other—so an Italian built, American-powered vessel of luxury was not out of hand. A resident of Minneapolis at the time, he kept the car for over four decades, driving it sparingly but lovingly maintaining it. Kept by its second owner for six years, it was acquired by the vendor last year.
Reported to be in remarkable well preserved condition, it is noted by the seller that the only non-original parts are the wheels, shocks, and tires—all of which have replaced with correct-type replacements. Showing just over 20,800 miles—a figure that is described as from new, this triple distilled, charcoal filtered highball of 1970s groovy-ness is certainly one of the finest examples extant. Looking good today, it is sure to turn a few heads when you take it out. Between its performance, design and details it is sure to provide good entertainment for the driver too!
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