Stutz Motor Company
Encyclopedia
The Stutz Motor Company was a producer of luxury cars based in Indianapolis, Indiana
, USA. Production began in 1911 and continued through 1935. The marque reappeared in 1968 under the aegis of Stutz Motor Car of America, Inc., and with a newly defined modern retro-look. Although the company is still active today, actual sales of factory produced vehicles ceased in 1995. Throughout its history, Stutz was known as a producer of fast cars (America's first sports car) and luxury cars for the rich and famous.
The company was founded as the Ideal Motor Car Company in Indianapolis
, Indiana
in 1911. Ideal entered a car in the Indianapolis 500
that year and placed 11th, earning it the slogan, "the car that made good in a day". The next year, the founder, Harry C. Stutz
, renamed the company Stutz Motor Company and began selling high-performance roadsters like the famous Stutz Bearcat
. The Bearcat featured a brawny 4-cylinder T-head engine with four valves per cylinder, one of the earliest multi-valve
engines. Stutz has also been credited with the development of "the under-slung chassis", an invention that greatly enhanced the safety and cornering of motor vehicles and one that is still in use today.
Stutz was forced to raise money to fund his automobile production, eventually selling the company in 1919 after a falling out with the company's major stockholders, Allen Ryan, who then went bankrupt. In 1922, three Stutz investors, one of whom was Charles M. Schwab
, gained control of the company. The new owners brought in Frederick Ewan Moskowics, formerly of Daimler, Marmon
, and Franklin
, in 1923. Moskowics quickly refocused the company as a developer of safety car
s, a recurring theme in the auto industry. In the case of Stutz, the car featured safety glass, a low center of gravity
for better handling
, and a hill-holding transmission called "Noback". One notable advance was the 1931 DOHC 32-valve in-line 8 (designed by Fred Duesenberg
), called the "DV32" (DV for 'dual valve'). This was during the so-called "cylinders race" of the early 1930s, when makers of expensive cars were rushing to produce multi-cylinder engines. While Stutz did not have the resources to design and tool a new engine, the DV32 was produced in larger numbers than any of its competitors, who were advertising 12- and 16-cylinder engines in their own cars.
In 1927, a Stutz set a world record for speed, averaging 68 mph (109.5 km/h) for 24 hours. The following year, a 4.9 litre (300ci) Stutz (entered and owned by French coachbuilder
Charles Weymann) in the hands of by Robert Bloch and Edouard Brisson finished second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
(losing to the 4.5 litre {275ci} Bentley
of Rubin
and Barnato
, despite losing top gear 90 minutes from the flag), the best result for an American car until 1966. That same year, development engineer and racing driver Frank Lockhart
used a pair of supercharged 91ci (1.5 liter
) DOHC engines in his Stutz Black Hawk Special streamliner
LSR
car, while Stutz set another speed record at Daytona
, reaching 106.53 mph (171.3 km/h) in the hands of Gil Anderson. In 1929, three Stutzes, with bodies designed by Gordon Buehrig
, built by Weymann's U.S. subsidiary
, and powered by a 155hp
(115kW
) 322ci (5.3 liter) supercharged
straight 8
ran at Le Mans, piloted by Edouard Brisson, George Eyston
(of land speed racing
fame), and co-drivers Philippe de Rothschild
and Guy Bouriat; de Rothschild and Bouriat placed fifth after the other two cars fell out with split fuel tanks.
Production ended in 1935 after 35,000 cars had been manufactured. The former Indianapolis factory is today known as the Stutz Business Center and is home to more than eighty artists, sculptors, photographers, designers, architects, and craftsmen.
had more luck with the Stutz name. In August, 1968, New York banker James O'Donnell
raised funds and incorporated Stutz Motor Car of America. A prototype of Exner's Stutz Blackhawk
was produced by Ghia, and the car debuted in 1970. All these cars used General Motors
running gear, featuring perimeter-type chassis frames, automatic transmission
, power steering
, and power brakes with discs at the front. They were extremely lavishly furnished, with all possible luxury features such as electric windows, air conditioning, central locking, electric seats and leather upholstery. On the sedans there was typically a console for beverages in the rear seat. Engines were large V8s, originally of 6.6 or 7.5 litres but by 1984 the Victoria, Blackhawk and Bearcat were using a 160 horsepower 5,736 cc unit and the Royale a 6,962 cc Oldsmobile
unit developing a modest 180 hp.
This incarnation of Stutz had some reasonable success selling newly designed Blackhawks, Bearcats, Royale Limousines, IV Portes, and Victorias. Elvis Presley bought the first Blackhawk (1971). He later purchased three more. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. all owned Stutz cars,as did Evel Knievel and numerous Sheiks and Shahs, entertainers, royalty, and barons of business from around the world. The Stutz Blackhawk owned by Lucille Ball is currently on display at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino
Auto Collection in Las Vegas, NV. However, owing to their extraordinary cost (Stutz was touted as the World's Most Expensive Car) - a Royale limousine cost US$285,000 and a Blackhawk coupé over US$115,000 in 1984 - production was very limited and it is believed only 617 cars were built during the company's first twenty-five years of existence (1971–1995). Sales of Stutz began to wane in 1985 and continued to do so on through 1995. Warren Liu became its chief share-holder and took over leadership of SMCA, Inc. in 1982. The company is most recently preparing for the production of its new line of luxury sport sedan, as well as for its new electric and hybrid vehicles.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, USA. Production began in 1911 and continued through 1935. The marque reappeared in 1968 under the aegis of Stutz Motor Car of America, Inc., and with a newly defined modern retro-look. Although the company is still active today, actual sales of factory produced vehicles ceased in 1995. Throughout its history, Stutz was known as a producer of fast cars (America's first sports car) and luxury cars for the rich and famous.
Stutz Motor Company
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
in 1911. Ideal entered a car in the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
that year and placed 11th, earning it the slogan, "the car that made good in a day". The next year, the founder, Harry C. Stutz
Harry C. Stutz
Harry C. Stutz was a United States automobile entrepreneur, engineer, and innovator in the automobile industry.Stutz grew up caring for and repairing agricultural machinery on the family farm. Automobiles and engines fascinated him. Stutz built his first car in 1897, and then a second auto using...
, renamed the company Stutz Motor Company and began selling high-performance roadsters like the famous Stutz Bearcat
Stutz Bearcat
The Stutz Bearcat was a well-known American sports car of the pre and post World War One period.Essentially, the Bearcats were a shorter , lighter version of the standard Stutz passenger cars chassis. It was originally powered by a 390 in³, 60 horsepower straight-4 engine produced by the...
. The Bearcat featured a brawny 4-cylinder T-head engine with four valves per cylinder, one of the earliest multi-valve
Multi-valve
In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design...
engines. Stutz has also been credited with the development of "the under-slung chassis", an invention that greatly enhanced the safety and cornering of motor vehicles and one that is still in use today.
Stutz was forced to raise money to fund his automobile production, eventually selling the company in 1919 after a falling out with the company's major stockholders, Allen Ryan, who then went bankrupt. In 1922, three Stutz investors, one of whom was Charles M. Schwab
Charles M. Schwab
Charles Michael Schwab was an American steel magnate. Under his leadership, Bethlehem Steel became the second largest steel maker in the United States, and one of the most important heavy manufacturers in the world....
, gained control of the company. The new owners brought in Frederick Ewan Moskowics, formerly of Daimler, Marmon
Marmon
Marmon Motor Car Company was an automobile manufacturer founded by Howard Marmon and owned by Nordyke Marmon & Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It was established in 1902 and was merged and renamed in 1933. They produced cars under the Marmon brand. It was succeeded by Marmon-Herrington and...
, and Franklin
Franklin (automobile)
The Franklin Automobile Company was a manufacturer of automobiles in the United States between 1902 and 1934 in Syracuse, New York. Herbert H. Franklin, the founder, began his career in the metal die casting business before establishing his automobile enterprise.Franklin founded the H. H. Franklin...
, in 1923. Moskowics quickly refocused the company as a developer of safety car
Safety car
In motorsport, a safety car or pace car is a car which limits the speed of competing cars on a racetrack in the case of a caution period such as an obstruction on the track. During a caution period the safety car enters the track ahead of the leader...
s, a recurring theme in the auto industry. In the case of Stutz, the car featured safety glass, a low center of gravity
Center of gravity
In physics, a center of gravity of a material body is a point that may be used for a summary description of gravitational interactions. In a uniform gravitational field, the center of mass serves as the center of gravity...
for better handling
Car handling
Automobile handling and vehicle handling are descriptions of the way wheeled vehicles perform transverse to their direction of motion, particularly during cornering and swerving. It also includes their stability when moving at rest. Handling and braking are the major components of a vehicle's...
, and a hill-holding transmission called "Noback". One notable advance was the 1931 DOHC 32-valve in-line 8 (designed by Fred Duesenberg
Fred Duesenberg
Frederick Samuel Duesenberg was a German-born American automobile pioneer designer, manufacturer and sportsman.-Life:...
), called the "DV32" (DV for 'dual valve'). This was during the so-called "cylinders race" of the early 1930s, when makers of expensive cars were rushing to produce multi-cylinder engines. While Stutz did not have the resources to design and tool a new engine, the DV32 was produced in larger numbers than any of its competitors, who were advertising 12- and 16-cylinder engines in their own cars.
In 1927, a Stutz set a world record for speed, averaging 68 mph (109.5 km/h) for 24 hours. The following year, a 4.9 litre (300ci) Stutz (entered and owned by French coachbuilder
Coachbuilder
A coachbuilder is a manufacturer of bodies for carriages or automobiles.The trade dates back several centuries. Rippon was active in the time of Queen Elizabeth I, Barker founded in 1710 by an officer in Queen Anne's Guards, Brewster a relative newcomer , formed in 1810. Others in Britain included...
Charles Weymann) in the hands of by Robert Bloch and Edouard Brisson finished second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
(losing to the 4.5 litre {275ci} Bentley
Bentley
Bentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
of Rubin
Bernard Rubin
Bernard Rubin was a British racing driver and pilot who was a member of the "Bentley Boys" team at the Bentley Motor Company and winner of the 1928 24 Hours of Le Mans.-Personal life:...
and Barnato
Woolf Barnato
Joel Woolf Barnato was a British financier and racing driver, one of the "Bentley Boys" of the 1920s. He achieved three consecutive wins out of three entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.-Early life:...
, despite losing top gear 90 minutes from the flag), the best result for an American car until 1966. That same year, development engineer and racing driver Frank Lockhart
Frank Lockhart
Frank Lockhart was an American automobile racing driver, and Indianapolis 500 winner, and considered a legend in the sport by many historians.-Racing career:...
used a pair of supercharged 91ci (1.5 liter
Litér
- External links :*...
) DOHC engines in his Stutz Black Hawk Special streamliner
Streamliner
A streamliner is a vehicle incorporating streamlining in a shape providing reduced air resistance. The term is applied to high-speed railway trainsets of the 1930s to 1950s, and to their successor "bullet trains". Less commonly, the term is applied to fully faired recumbent bicycles...
LSR
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
car, while Stutz set another speed record at Daytona
Daytona
Daytona may refer to:* Daytona Beach, Florida* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida* South Daytona, Florida-Motor racing:* Daytona Beach Road Course* Daytona International Speedway, a NASCAR speedway, which hosts:** the Daytona 500 NASCAR race...
, reaching 106.53 mph (171.3 km/h) in the hands of Gil Anderson. In 1929, three Stutzes, with bodies designed by Gordon Buehrig
Gordon Buehrig
Gordon Miller Buehrig was a noted automobile designer. Born in Mason City, Illinois, he had early design experience with Packard, General Motors and Stutz. In 1929, he was responsible for designing the bodies of the Stutz Black Hawks entered at Le Mans...
, built by Weymann's U.S. subsidiary
Weymann Fabric Bodies
Weymann Fabric Bodies is a patented design system for fuselages for aircraft and superlight coachwork for motor vehicles. The system used a patent-jointed wood frame covered in fabric...
, and powered by a 155hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(115kW
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
) 322ci (5.3 liter) supercharged
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
straight 8
Straight engine
Usually found in four- and six-cylinder configurations, the straight engine, or inline engine is an internal-combustion engine with all cylinders aligned in one row, with no offset...
ran at Le Mans, piloted by Edouard Brisson, George Eyston
George Eyston
- References :*...
(of land speed racing
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
fame), and co-drivers Philippe de Rothschild
Philippe de Rothschild
Baron Philippe de Rothschild was a member of the Rothschild banking dynasty who became a Grand Prix race-car driver, a screenwriter and playwright, a theatrical producer, a film producer, a poet, and one of the most successful wine growers in the world.-Early life:Born in Paris, Georges Philippe...
and Guy Bouriat; de Rothschild and Bouriat placed fifth after the other two cars fell out with split fuel tanks.
Production ended in 1935 after 35,000 cars had been manufactured. The former Indianapolis factory is today known as the Stutz Business Center and is home to more than eighty artists, sculptors, photographers, designers, architects, and craftsmen.
Stutz Motor Car of America
Virgil ExnerVirgil Exner
Virgil Max "Ex" Exner, Sr. was an automobile designer for numerous American companies, notably Chrysler and Studebaker. He is known for his "Forward Look" design on the 1955-1963 Chrysler products and his fondness of fins on cars for both aesthetic and aerodynamic reasons.-Early life:Born in Ann...
had more luck with the Stutz name. In August, 1968, New York banker James O'Donnell
James O'Donnell
James O'Donnell may refer to:*James O'Donnell , 19th century United States Representative from Michigan*James O'Donnell , American sports promoter and founder of the NFL's Cleveland Tigers...
raised funds and incorporated Stutz Motor Car of America. A prototype of Exner's Stutz Blackhawk
Stutz Blackhawk
The Stutz Blackhawk was an American luxury car manufactured from 1971 through 1987. The Stutz Motor Company was revived in August 1968 by New York banker James O'Donnell. Virgil Exner designed the car, which was prototyped by Ghia at a cost over US$300,000. The Blackhawk debuted in January 1970...
was produced by Ghia, and the car debuted in 1970. All these cars used General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
running gear, featuring perimeter-type chassis frames, automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
, and power brakes with discs at the front. They were extremely lavishly furnished, with all possible luxury features such as electric windows, air conditioning, central locking, electric seats and leather upholstery. On the sedans there was typically a console for beverages in the rear seat. Engines were large V8s, originally of 6.6 or 7.5 litres but by 1984 the Victoria, Blackhawk and Bearcat were using a 160 horsepower 5,736 cc unit and the Royale a 6,962 cc Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
unit developing a modest 180 hp.
This incarnation of Stutz had some reasonable success selling newly designed Blackhawks, Bearcats, Royale Limousines, IV Portes, and Victorias. Elvis Presley bought the first Blackhawk (1971). He later purchased three more. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. all owned Stutz cars,as did Evel Knievel and numerous Sheiks and Shahs, entertainers, royalty, and barons of business from around the world. The Stutz Blackhawk owned by Lucille Ball is currently on display at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino
Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino
Imperial Palace is a 2,640 room hotel and a casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The hotel and casino were owned by Imperial Palace LLC until purchased by the current owner, Caesars Imperial Palace Corporation a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corp..-History:From 1959 to...
Auto Collection in Las Vegas, NV. However, owing to their extraordinary cost (Stutz was touted as the World's Most Expensive Car) - a Royale limousine cost US$285,000 and a Blackhawk coupé over US$115,000 in 1984 - production was very limited and it is believed only 617 cars were built during the company's first twenty-five years of existence (1971–1995). Sales of Stutz began to wane in 1985 and continued to do so on through 1995. Warren Liu became its chief share-holder and took over leadership of SMCA, Inc. in 1982. The company is most recently preparing for the production of its new line of luxury sport sedan, as well as for its new electric and hybrid vehicles.
Stutz models
- Stutz Motor Company
- 1911-1925 BearcatStutz BearcatThe Stutz Bearcat was a well-known American sports car of the pre and post World War One period.Essentially, the Bearcats were a shorter , lighter version of the standard Stutz passenger cars chassis. It was originally powered by a 390 in³, 60 horsepower straight-4 engine produced by the...
- 1926-1935 8-CylinderStutz 8-CylinderThe new Stutz 8 was advertised as having its body "designed by Brewster & Company" in their 1925 catalogue, when they were actually engineered by Brewster instead....
- 1911-1925 Bearcat
- Stutz Motor Car of America
- 1970-1987 BlackhawkStutz BlackhawkThe Stutz Blackhawk was an American luxury car manufactured from 1971 through 1987. The Stutz Motor Company was revived in August 1968 by New York banker James O'Donnell. Virgil Exner designed the car, which was prototyped by Ghia at a cost over US$300,000. The Blackhawk debuted in January 1970...
(coupeCoupéA coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
)- 1970-1979 - based on the Pontiac Grand PrixPontiac Grand PrixPicking up where the Pontiac Ventura model left off, the Grand Prix first appeared in the Pontiac line for 1962. It was essentially a standard Pontiac Catalina coupe with minimal outside chrome trim and a sportier interior...
- 1980-1987 - based on the Pontiac BonnevillePontiac BonnevilleThe Pontiac Bonneville was an automobile built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1957 to 2005. It was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year...
- 1970-1979 - based on the Pontiac Grand Prix
- 1979-1992 BearcatStutz BearcatThe Stutz Bearcat was a well-known American sports car of the pre and post World War One period.Essentially, the Bearcats were a shorter , lighter version of the standard Stutz passenger cars chassis. It was originally powered by a 390 in³, 60 horsepower straight-4 engine produced by the...
(convertibleConvertibleA convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
)- 1977 - a converted Blackhawk
- 1979 - based on the Pontiac Grand PrixPontiac Grand PrixPicking up where the Pontiac Ventura model left off, the Grand Prix first appeared in the Pontiac line for 1962. It was essentially a standard Pontiac Catalina coupe with minimal outside chrome trim and a sportier interior...
- 1980-1986 - based on the Pontiac BonnevillePontiac BonnevilleThe Pontiac Bonneville was an automobile built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1957 to 2005. It was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year...
or Oldsmobile Delta 88 RoyaleOldsmobile 88The Oldsmobile 88 was a full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 to 1974 the 88 was the division's top-selling line, particularly the entry-level models such as the 88 and Dynamic 88... - 1987-1992 - based on the Pontiac FirebirdPontiac FirebirdThe Pontiac Firebird was built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as the automaker's platform-sharing model, the Chevrolet Camaro...
- 1970-1980 Duplex/IV-Porte/VictoriaStutz IV-PorteThe Stutz IV-Porte were sedans produced by the Stutz Motor Car of America company in the 1970s and 1980s.-Stutz Duplex:...
(sedan)- 197? Duplex
- 1977-1980 IV-Porte - based on the Pontiac BonnevillePontiac BonnevilleThe Pontiac Bonneville was an automobile built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1957 to 2005. It was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year...
or Oldsmobile Delta 88 RoyaleOldsmobile 88The Oldsmobile 88 was a full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 to 1974 the 88 was the division's top-selling line, particularly the entry-level models such as the 88 and Dynamic 88... - 1981- Victoria
- Diplomatica/RoyaleStutz DiplomaticaThe Stutz Diplomatica and later Royale were limousines produced by the Stutz Motor Car of America company in the 1970s and 1980s.-Stutz Diplomatica:The Diplomatica was a standard-wheelbase limousine based on the Cadillac DeVille...
(limousineLimousineA limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
)- Diplomatica - based on the Cadillac DeVilleCadillac DeVilleThe de Ville was originally a trim level and later a model of General Motors' Cadillac marque. The first car to bear the name was the 1949 Coupe de Ville, a prestige trim level of the Series 62 luxury coupe. The last model to be formally known as a de Ville was the 2005 Cadillac Deville, a...
- Royale - super-long limo
- Diplomatica - based on the Cadillac DeVille
- 1984- Defender/Gazelle/BearStutz DefenderThe Stutz Defender was an SUV based on the Chevrolet Suburban produced by the Stutz Motor Car of America company in the 1980s. It was positioned as an upscale armored vehicle and was popular with heads of state in the Middle East.-Stutz Defender/Gazelle:The Defender was an armored Suburban...
- Chevrolet SuburbanChevrolet SuburbanChevrolet offered a station wagon body, built on the 1/2 ton truck frame. This model was specifically built for National Guard units and Civilian Conservation Corps units. Much of the body was constructed from wood, and could seat up to eight occupants....
-based armored SUV- Gazelle - military SUV with mounted machine gunMachine gunA machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
- Bear - four-door convertibleConvertibleA convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
- Gazelle - military SUV with mounted machine gun
- 1970-1987 Blackhawk