Australian auction of rare 1916 Stutz Model 4C Bearcat Roadster

(October 6, 2015) MELBOURNE, Australia — Harry C. Stutz and Hugh Guthrie never met, separated by age and geography. Yet the vision of one became the passion of the other. Now someone, somewhere will benefit from that remarkable bond when they purchase a museum-quality 1916 Stutz Model 4C Bearcat Roadster in Mossgreen's auction of Collectors' Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia on Oct. 18.

The Stutz 4C Bearcat is a veteran masterpiece. Harry Stutz produced his first car as a 21 year-old, and made a leading contribution to Indy car racing and the development of the sports car; the Bearcat being a formative open two-seater of the veteran era.

The Bearcat's reputation was built on its racing pedigree established at Indianapolis in 1911. The model being offered by Mossgreen is considered one of the best road-going Stutz to have been built, earning its place in automotive history for its timeless aesthetics.

Hugh Guthrie bought the car in 1952 from a motor wrecker in Australia, and passionately brought it back to life.

"Hugh undertook two restorations over 63 years, the most recent being a meticulous ground up restoration in the 1990s using bespoke craftsman and historians," says Robert Richards, Head of Collectors' Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia at Mossgreen. "His commitment was as much in homage to Harry Stutz as it was to the vehicle."

Such is the quality of the restoration, that the car, which was imported into Australia from the factory floor in Indianapolis is the recipient of various certificates and endorsements attesting to its authenticity.