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The First True American Sports Car
1915 Stutz Bearcat
Symbol of Its Time
No car symbolizes a time more so than the Stutz Bearcat. The name alone brings images of the Jazz Age-flappers, bathtub gin and raccoon coats. And the drivers of the Bearcat, with no windshield, doors or top, certainly needed the fur coats.
Henry Stutz designed the first Bearcat in 1914 trying to duplicate the look of his Indianapolis 500 race cars. Basically the Bearcat is a big 390 cubic inch engine on a minimal body. In 1915, the 4-cylinder Bearcat cost $2000 with an extra $500 for the 6-cylinder version. Stutz found success in racing, placing 2nd and 3rd at Indianapolis that year. Also Cannonball Baker set a new trans-America record with a 1915 Bearcat, going from San Diego to New York in 11 days, 7 hours and 15 minutes.
Franklin Mint Perfection
Like all Franklin Mint Limited Editions, this 1:24 precision die-cast replica is hand-painted, hand-assembled and hand-finished. It features soft-to-the-touch bucket seats, used by Stutz to keep the driver and passengers from falling out of the car. The front features a Boyce Motometer on the radiator to monitor engine temperature. A monocle windshield, which did little to protect the driver, is attached to the steering column. The rear features a large gas tank and small luggage compartment. And like all Bearcats until 1922, this replica has right-hand steering. It is a perfect reproduction of the car that cruised at 60mph. and gave you the sensation of speed like no car before or since.
Features
Opening Hood
1:24 scale (6.5" Long)
Working Steering System
Precision Die Cast Replica
Franklin Mint Limited Edition of 2500
4-Cylinder T-Head Engine Had Top Speed of 115MPH
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