The Blackhawk was a lavish, hand-built car that was designed for the rich and famous audience. The Stutz brand was resurrected in 1971, and these wild-looking cars saw no more than 600 assemblies through 1987. Unlike other examples of the Blackhawk we’ve seen, this one is a “barn find” and will need a cosmetic restoration at a minimum. Located with a dealer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this celebrity-style project is available here on eBay for $16,995.
One of the major players in the development of the Blackhawk was former Chrysler designer Virgil Exner. He styled the fancy cars, which had the bodies produced in Italy that were mated in the U.S. with a General Motors platform and drivetrain. Blackhawks went for as much as $75,000 back in the day, so its owners were primarily entertainers like Elvis Presley and Dean Martin. Design features included the combination spare tire/deck lid, a fake radiator/shell grille, and headlamps that resided separately from the body.
Because of the custom nature of these automobiles, no two were likely just alike, and a variety of GM engines were used. In the case of the seller’s car, it’s a 403 cubic inch V8 likely supplied by Pontiac (also a TH-400 automatic transmission). These were heavy cars at 5,000 lbs., so the engines were tuned to produce one hp per CI. They consumed gasoline at the rate of 8 mpg. We understand that each car took 1,500 man-hours to complete.
We don’t know the history of this Stutz, but the odometer only reads 48,000 miles. It seems to have been forgotten about for many years, though the seller has gotten the car running, and it may be okay mechanically. There is a touch of rust, and the interior is a wash-out from sitting (did any critters get inside the car?). Because of the GM hardware, a mechanical restoration should be by the book. But where are you going to find body and passenger compartment pieces?
$16.9? HA HA HA!
Must not have been a famous previous owner or the seller would be trying to connect them to the car.
Maybe John Voit the dentist?
Owned by Billy Blaze, best friend and coworker was Chuck.
….or the guy who owned the local “gentleman’s club”…
DAMN, I forgot how ugly they were,..
My father and I were driving on the West side of Los Angeles. I must have been about 10 (which would tie with the 1971 production date). We were at a stop light and Dick Martin (of Rowan & Martin fame) turned out of a country club driveway (Wilshire CC? Riviera CC?) driving a black one of these. I remember being excited. Laugh-in was a really popular show at the time and I immediately recognized the guy. But I also noted the really weird and exotic looking car. This is a very strong memory for me. I think that’s the only time I can ever remember seeing one of these in the wild.
Must have gold bars hidden somewhere.
Given it’s value restored, it might not be a bad price….. IF you could find the parts to restore it. That’s a huge “if”. Custom fabricating parts would soon put you underwater. I think if I had my heart set on one, I’d look for one that was more complete.
If it’s a 403 it’s an Oldsmobile engine.Ther where a lot of them put in 77 to 79 Trans Am.
It is a 403 Oldsmobile engine based on the location of the oil filler tube.
Steve R
At 8 mpg and with the two gallon fuel tank shown, best keep some walking shoes in the boot.
Interior pieces should not be a problem as I recall they used GM parts there as well. The dashboard and steering wheel look to be Pontiac items so I would guess the seats are also Pontiac sourced. The chassis likely used was a Grand Prix with the Olds powertrain. Something to remember, all powertrains at this time were GM powertrains even though they might have been sourced from various divisions. That is why Olds engines ended up in Pontiacs and other GM makes.
Based off the windshield & side glass, based off a late 70’s Grand Prix?
I was thinking a mid-70s Chevrolet Monte Carlo hooked up with a ’71 or ’72 Pontiac Grand Ville.
2K57K7P…. is a vin for a 1977 Grand Prix LJ with the 403 and with the chassis coming from the Pontiac home plant. I wonder what the title says as far as year/make/model. I always thought it was interesting they used a Grand Prix chassis and most inner body and switchgear, but god they are questionable looking.
I saw Mohammed Ali step out of the driver’s seat of a gold version of one of these in downtown Philly in 1977. I thought it was ridiculous then, and still do.
But apparently they sold a lot of these to famous/wealthy people who needed to be seen in something “distinctive” like this in the 1970s. A Rolls was pretty stodgy looking at the time.
The resale market is apparently still strong for good examples. I suppose someone could patch this one up and try to make a buck, but I don’t get it.
Every bit if not more attractive than the blinged-out SUVs celebrities drive today.
I just searched for “blinged-out SUV”. As usual with people who have too much money and fewer brains, there is no accounting for taste, except maybe in the depreciation.
“I thought it was ridiculous then, and still do.”
Hear, hear, Bluesman. Couldn’t agree more.
Another instance where you could drop a hot steaming s#$t on the hood and it would look no worse or be worth any less.
I bid you good day@
Could someone please explain to me as if I were a 5 year old, just how or why a unique and exotic automobile that sold for $70,000+ in the 70s (Cadillac didn’t go over $10,000 until the mid 70s) would be left in a barn to rot?
Sure. The thing breaks down or gets damaged, and gets parked in a barn or garage. Or maybe the the original buyer has since moved on to some other rolling bauble or two that now holds their attention. What’s a $70K broken down hulk to a mega millionaire? Nothing. Its not worth their attention and its easer to just store it and forget it.
The family is wealthy, the kids are self-absorbed brats, and nobody cares about that goofy looking piece of crap that grandpa used to ride around in the barn or shed until the actual property has to be sold in an estate sale.
mic drop
👊
🎤
💥
I have always liked these odd balls, because I am a Stutz fan…..that said, that 2 gallon gas can and a match would do the remaining examples a favor to increase their rarity! That car is in sad shape, the seller really needs to back off to a no reserve auction and let the market determine its real value…….my$0.02 for what its worth…
Good explanation, Bluesman, but why would a millionaire have a barn or a shed? You would think a millionaire would put it in a temperature controlled place or at least in a garage. Yeah, some farmers are millionaires but putting this piece in a shed seems a little far fetched to me.
A shed, barn, storage unit, back yard, or whatever. Lots of rich people own country properties, to get away from the riff-raff on weekends and such. And nature abhors a vacuum. So they fill it up.
For some people, having money does not translate to having any respect for material goods that they find of little or no use anymore. They’ve moved on and leave a pile of junk in their wake. This could include motorcycles, RVs, snowmobiles, bikes, on and on.
Blues – For the most part I agree with your sentiments. However, I take it you have never lived in the country which has its fair share of riffraff.
All week long.
ccrvtt – au contraire! I am a bona fide hillbilly from Appalachia. I am well aware that the general public considers all of us up the holler to be riff raff, watch only Hee Haw reruns or Jerry Springer, make our own whiskey, and park our “car collection” in the yard.
The rich folk city slickers who are much better than us do build castles in the mountains, usually near resorts or vacation destinations. With gates to keep us out.
They did that above Johnstown before 1889, along with a lodge and a big dam, and murdered 2,209 people in the process. Not a single rich person involved was ever held accountable in any way.
oh my word people
semantics ;
the forest anyone ??
Bueller Bueller
Bluesmans explanation is to advanced for 5th graders ?
its not about the ‘shed’
its not about the riff raff
its about how a car ends up a barn find .
mmm k ?..
This is absolute proof that some things are not worth it. Just walk away and do something that makes sense,this is just not worth it “
A hunnert dollahs.
Why wouldn’t you fully close the hood for the glamour shot? Broken hood release cable?
Ratts !! someone done stole the seat , off the toilet bowl, off the trunk…… Just have to pass on this .