A PEBBLE BEACH CLASS-WINNING TIME CAPSULE

-One Of Fewer Than 200 DV-32s Produced

-Original Chassis And Engine

-Original Body And Interior

-Technological Tour De Force In 1932

-Remarkable All-original, Unrestored Survivor

-Just 23,000 Miles From New

-Known History From New

-80 Years In Single-family Ownership

-2012 Pebble Beach Concours, Best In Class L-1 Preservation

-Presented With The "This Car Matters" Award By The HVA

Axel R. Stockenberg,, a mechanical engineer drawn to the Stutz’s aluminum body in particular, and the advanced engineering of the Stutz brand in general, was the first owner of this remarkable automobile. With a price of more than $5,000.00, it was fitted with custom sport sedan coachwork by LeBaron. After seven years of happily driving the car, increasingly for only special occasions, Mr. Stockenberg put the Stutz in dry storage for 73 years, wearing its original Illinois license plates. His daughter, Constance, saw to his instructions for regular care over its lifetime. It remains in original, unrestored condition with just 23,000 miles. The car was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2012, where it was awarded First in Class in L-1 Pre-War Preservation, attesting to the car’s spectacular survivor status.

THIS CAR’S PAST

Mr.Stockenberg previously drove an HCS (Harry Clayton Stutz-designed and built) touring automobile from the 1920’s with canvas side curtains but no windows. With the birth of a second daughter, his wife insisted he buy an enclosed automobile ensuring the comfort of his young family. As an engineer, he was drawn to the Stutz by its aluminum body and advanced engineering. At more than $5,000.00, it was fitted with custom sport sedan coachwork by LeBaron.
The magnificent Stutz was A.R.’s pride and joy, and it remained in a heated garage when he travelled by train for business. Beginning in the mid-1930’s he was required to drive on trips to call on his clients. In order to spare the Stutz, Stockenberg acquired a Nash Ambassador for his “every day” car, preserving the Stutz for special occasions.
With the war brewing in Europe and the rationing of raw materials, A.R. was allowed to purchase just one set of new tires. He purchased them for the Nash, choosing to put the Stutz in storage after it had covered just 23,000 miles. Being an engineer, he understood the importance of draining all the fluids, clearing all lines, and putting a coat of grease on all the chrome trim to protect it. The car was put up on blocks where it remained for the next 73 years.

PRESERVATION

The consigner purchased this car from Constance Stockenberg, the daughter of the original owner, in February 2012. Remarkably, the car had been in dry storage since 1939 (73 years). It remains in original, unrestored condition with just 23,000 miles from new. After what was described as serious cleaning and tinkering (without altering its originality), the car was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2012 where it was awarded First in Class in L-1 Pre-War Preservation, attesting to the car’s spectacular survivor status. The consigner adds that the car is in fine running and driving condition, and notes that it covered the 300+ mile round trip from his home to Pebble Beach under its own power and without incident.
The consigner notes that the dynamic Constance Stockenberg dutifully sprayed oil into the spark plug holes and turned the big eight-cylinder engine over with a hand crank twice a year, just as her father had done before her. It’s difficult to imagine a more significant American Classic in such completely original and unmolested condition available today.

SUMMARY
A genuine survivor, with impeccable history and provenance, the integrity and quality of this Stutz has been confirmed by the highest honor possible for a preservation car; 2012 Pebble Beach Concours, Best in Class L-1 Preservation.