The big mystery of the StutzCaddy when we bought it was, ” Who Built it?” do any photos survive? We spent a full day at the Nethercutt Museum reading car magazines from about 1949 to 1955, and another review session at a private auto library to see if any photos had been published. The sport custom movement produced a LOT of cars during that time, even a few with 3 tailfins. But all that looking did not yield one photo of the car.
Eventually we sold the car, but then I got an email from the daughter of Dr. Elwood Needy, a dentist in Missouri, who had built the car along with his father from 1949 up to about 1953! She said Dr. Needy was eager to talk to me about the car, and so we spoke on the phone!
And here it is, a “new” sport custom freshly completed! The original 1951 Bulletnose Studebaker Grille really looked great! Dr. Needy’s Dad had started the project in 1949, using a ’32 Stutz 7 Passenger Limousine as the mechanical basis for the car, and ’49 Cadillac sheetmetal pieces. they used a sheetmetal shop that did fabrication for McDonnell Aircraft, as well as a relative who’s blacksmithing talents were used on the doors and structure. Unfortunately Dr. Needy’s dad passed away in 1952, with completion of the car at about 90%, so Dr. Needy finished up the car as a tribute to his father. Talking to him cleared up so many un-answered questions – especially about the front end design! and confirmed many of the things we had deduced about the car.
There’s a great side view of Dr. Needy with the car!
And a great detail of the grille!
And there are the spectacular triple tailfins!
Dr. Needy’s Dad with the 32 Stutz donor car
The creators of the fabulous StutzCaddy – Dr. Elwood Needy and his dad
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And there is Dr. Needy’s Father’s headstone, with an engraving of the car ! The headstone manufacturer was right next to the sheetmetal fabricator that the Needy’s used, so they were very familiar with the car, and it looks like they got the details right. And, it’s a fitting tribute to the man who envisioned such a spectacular automobile!
The Sport Custom movement was in it’s heyday just after World War II, and it produced this fabulous creation, the CaddyStutz! Sport Customs were custom built cars usually on an American chassis, with 2 seat roadster coachwork and a one-of-a-kind flair. In the words of respected automotive historian Ken Gross in an article written for the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours program: ” Viewed today, sport customs represent a triumph of individual automotive expression. They don’t resemble other cars of the period, they’re often much more fanciful. They don’t look like more conventional custom cars, or even much like one another. Rarely seen, they still turn heads and fascinate people”.
We had a great time waking it up and getting it out and about in the world again! Here it is at the 2013 San Marino Motor Classic, with me at the wheel !
The Spectacular CaddyStutz Sport Custom! With Stutz DV-32 Engine and chassis! The custom bodywork was very well done, and is presented here in mostly bare metal. This allows us to see the construction details and the high quality lead filled bodywork, impossible to re-create today!
We date this sport custom to the early 1950’s – Although the chassis is from 1932, The sheetmetal is based on a 1949 Cadillac. We think they had a nearly complete ’49 Caddy to use, because much if not all of the body components are ’49 Cadillac. Sport Customs have become appreciated for the special design creations they are – there was a class for this type of car at Pebble Beach in 2012 !
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Two Tailfins are just not enough. No. we need THREE of ’em! Note how the bumper was done to match the center fin! The bodywork on this car was really well done and carefully thought out.
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Note that the gas tank filler is underneath the center fin.
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The genuine article, The Stutz DV-32, so named for the number of valves! 8 Cylinders and 4 valves per cylinder! One of the most exotic powerplants of it’s day – indeed, dual overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder were only offered by Stutz and Duesenberg in the US, and Alfa Romeo and Bugatti in Europe. I’m talking about Production cars you could drive on the street! There were a handful of DOHC 4 valves in racing cars of that era, but the point is this – in 1932, this was the height of technology and sophistication.
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This is a late production DV-32. The Serial number is within about 40 of the last known DV32 Serial number, and the carburetor is a downdraft Stromberg EE3 dual throat carburetor. The earlier DV32’s had the updraft Schebler unit.
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Mind boggling! Only about 400 of these engines were ever made. Not only exotic, but extremely rare, too! Oh, and we got it running! It starts right up, it has good oil pressure, and doesn’t make any bad noises. We have driven it about 3/4 mile in total. The tune-up could be better, It backfires sometimes due to a sticking valve, but I can tell you it was a thrill to fire that thing up for the first time in many years!. You should trailer the car rather than drive it to wherever you live.
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That’s a rare – and correct – carburetor for this car, a Stromberg EE3
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Lots of Cord Instruments. The steering column and steering wheel are ‘ 49 Cadillac items.
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We have re-united the original seat with the car. The frame was in great shape, but the foam and fabric was tired, so we had it redone in exactly the same pattern as it was originally.
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The build quality is very high – the body is beautifully constructed, the doors fit and open perfectly. Whoever did this car did some extremely high quality bodywork.
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Here it is in action!
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The Chassis is DV32 Stutz – note the worm drive rear axle. The chassis was shortened to 115 inches of wheelbase to accomodate the more modern bodywork. The transmission is a Warner Gear Transmission, not the original Stutz transmission.
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A fantastic example of the Sport Custom !
Offered by the Vault Classic Cars, Fullerton, CA. Please call us with any questions at 714-401-1047 .
International customers are welcome to buy ! We’ve sent many cars overseas.
THERE IS NO COOLING OFF PERIOD UNLESS YOU OBTAIN A CONTRACT CANCELLATION OPTION. California law does not provide for a “cooling off” period for vehicle lease or purchase contracts. Therefore, you cannot later cancel such a contract simply because you change your mind, decide the vehicle costs too much, or wish you had acquired a different vehicle. After you sign a motor vehicle purchase or lease contract, it may only be cancelled with the agreement of the seller or lessor or for legal cause, such as fraud. However, California law does require the seller to offer a 2 day contract cancellation option on used vehicles with a purchase price of less than $40,000, subject to certain statutory conditions. See the vehicle contract cancellation option agreement for details.
The prospective purchaser of a vehicle may, at his or her own expense and with the approval of the dealer, have the vehicle inspected by an independent third party either on or off the dealership premises. All Prices shown DO NOT include California Sales Tax, DMV fees, smog certificate on post-1975 vehicles, Documentation fees, and any late registration fees owed to DMV. Out of state customers are responsible to pay sales tax and any other government fees in their own state. Out of state customers are not required to pay California Sales Tax and DMV fees IF the car is shipped by ICC licensed carrier, AND a notarized statement of delivery is signed upon delivery. If you fly in and drive it home, we are required to charge Tax and DMV for driving on California roads ! Car is sold mileage exempt due to age, meaning it’s not possible to know the exact mileage on a car of this age. All signed contract documentation must be received AND full payment received before the car will be released to the new owner.
Sold AS-IS, with NO WARRANTY. Sold Mileage exempt, meaning it’s not possible to know the original mileage. We encourage you to either inspect the car yourself or enlist the services of an inspector. The car may have minor or major flaws that are not evident in the photos and description, and it is the responsibility of the buyer to inspect the car or have it inspected before purchase.
We are happy to work with legitimate overseas buyers, and we can assist with getting the car shipped to most international ports. Shipping is at buyers expense, the car is sold FOB Anaheim, CA. There is an additional $200 cost to flatbed the car to any freight forwarder in the Los Angeles, CA area. Please contact us with any questions during Pacific business daylight hours at 714-401-1047