12/12/2022
1932/1952 Stutz-Cadillac “The Stutzillac”
In 1947, a dentist from Missouri named Elwood “Doc” Needy had a vision of making a custom car from a very unique starting point. What started life as a 1932 Stutz DV-32 7 passenger limousine, transformed into a streamlined, custom bodied two-door sports car. This eccentrically styled vehicle kept its Sutz bones by using its original 322 cubic inch inline-eight, dual overhead cam engine that produced 156 horsepower. It also kept its original frame, but was shortened by 30 inches to match the more compact and sportier Stutz Bearcat that had a wheelbase of 115 inches. The styling was inspired by the then new Jaguar XK120 with the long sweeping front fenders that dipped down into the door line. This could also explain why Needy used the Stutz powertrain because like the Jaguar, it utilizes a DOHC inline engine.
To accomplish this bold styling, Needy used the body from a 1949 Cadillac and modified each part to match his art-deco vision. The styling feature that sets this car apart is the three Cadillac tail lights in the rear. The entire back end of the car is swooped and designed to incorporate this bold styling feature. The back half of the car was created with a wooden body buck where they were able to form the sheet metal over the top. To add to the uniqueness of the car, the front end is the bullet nose from a 1950 Studebaker Commander; a true Frankenstein car with a Stutz chassis and powertrain, Cadillac body and Studebaker nose.
Needy sadly passed away before the completion of the vehicle, but his son finished the car in his honor. The car was painted in a light yellow Buick color of the era and once completed, it was brought to local shows. The car was then sold in the late 1950s, where the papertrail of this car seems to go awry. This car then popped up in the 2010s where the then owners were able to track down Needy’s son and get the full story of how this car came about. This past year, they sold it at auction where our client got the opportunity to purchase this streamlined machine! Nostalgia Motors is now going to restore the “Stutzillac” and get it back on the road like it was in the 1950s!
