This one is special, very special. Often when I see a car that has been out of the public eye for a long time, particularly a pre-war car, I become entranced in the story more so than the car itself. Cars like this have a certain mystique and mystery that draws us in. If you find yourself wondering what a Stutz Sport Custom is you’re not alone, this is a one of a kind creation made from parts of several pre-war cars. It is part of the Mitosinka Collection of cars and automobilia being offered by RM Sotheby’s at auction with no reserve in September.
There are not any details on RM Sotheby’s website about the car other than pictures and information about the upcoming auction in September. The auction is for the entire collection of collector Dennis Mitosinka and includes a large collection of automobilia and collectibles and over 30 cars. The entire collection is being sold at no reserve in southern California. I reached out to RM Sotheby’s for more information and got a prompt response from a representative who gave me some great information.
RM Sotheby’s is still gathering information on the car but they were able to enlighten me on what is known. “Basically it is a bitsa sports car created using different parts from all sorts of high end pre-war American cars,” according to Andrew Olsen, a representative with RM Sotheby’s. It is believed the car was custom built in the late 1940s in southern California and has been off the road since the 1980s. Currently, the owner is working on getting it running.
Under the engine cover is a rare Stutz DV32 straight-eight DOHC 32 valve work of art. This engine was produced starting in 1931 and was very advanced for its day, it displaced 322 cubic inches producing 156 HP. These engines are incredibly smooth when dialed in. Speaking of the engine cover, that is from a Duesenberg Model J and the grill is from a Cadillac V16. Transmission type is not mentioned and the rear end is an Auburn 2 speed.
I assume the chassis is a Model M but I could be wrong. We can see the body appears to be made without doors so the driver can simply step in. The body appears to be an Auburn Speedster. The dash is thought to be from a Cadillac V16 but that is not confirmed. Obviously some work is needed on the interior and exterior but it is possible this car is untouched since it was made.
The instrument panel is a mashup of gauges from different things. Aside from the usual tach and speedometer, there is a full complement of gauges including Amp, fuel level, coolant temp, oil temp, vacuum, fuel pressure and even a vintage Snap-On starter current indicator gauge. The amount of instrumentation has an aircraft feel of sorts. At least we know the DV32 is well monitored going down the road.
It will be very interesting to see what this car sells for and where it will go. The next owner will have some decisions to make on restoration options. Because the car is a one-off it would be awesome to research the history and perform a restoration to its former glory, or another route is to keep the custom vibe but update and improve where necessary as long as the DV32 is kept under the hood. Whichever route is taken hopefully it’s valuable enough to restore and not break down for parts.
WOW…
So much to absorb. Where do you start ?
Just wash it and wear it !
Get it running, update the brakes, add
some decent rubber, and drive it while
you fix it up. When I first saw this car,
it reminded me of something that Hibbard &
Darren would’ve turned out back in ’29.
Kudos to the party, or parties that built
this car. Even today, the fit and finish
of this car is amazing! If it were mine,
I’d add some Cord bumpers to protect
that beautious sheetmetal front and rear.
It brings to mind the old saying. One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure
I’d be more interested in who built the car. Using high-end parts even back then must have cost a little more than building a Ford speedster. I like it!
I would love to see this car restored.
hop in and fire that mother up!
I wonder if it has power-steering and AC
That’s the car Mr Haney sold to Ebb on Green Acres when Ebb was going to college!!!!
Just the engine cover and grill are probably worth $10,000 considering what they are each from. Duesenberg J parts aren’t cheap. Neither are Caddy V16 parts. I love this thing. Wish I could afford it.
Is the back end ugly or what? I would change that, but otherwise it could be made into a great driving car, but with the engine being hugely saught after, the rest of the car is just another special and would have very little investor value.
The body is definitely NOT an Auburn speedster’s! Nice effort overall, though.
Love it!!! As someone else said to build a car like this of such high end parts took someone special back then! Love to see a photo of it back in the day when it was a finished new custom build! Whoever gets it is going to have a true one of a kind and hope to see more photos of it if/during restoration! wow!!!!
NUM-NUM MUST HAVE.Where is my Duff beer.lets go for a ride.And the guy that wants to change the rear end should be banned from making comments.
NUM-NUM
Did Johnny Cash build this?
That was a caddy that he built
Re Jon Gallegos – I suspect the parts are worth very little. A Duesenberg hood will only be of value to someone restoring a Duesenberg and I suspect of the hundred cars left, none need that piece. Car best kept together but I suspect someone might buy it just for the engine.
Bitsa. Grotesque back.
Marchal headlamps left over from a Citroen Traction Avant. Front fenders and taillights from a 36 Caddy. Dash from a 31 V16 caddy. Cut down hood from a duesy. This was a junk yard special as these were discards in the 40s. The grill is still a mystery because of the top piece surrounding the radiator cap. I can[t understand the mismatch on the side molding to the Duesy hood. For all the work that went into it, you would have thought they would straighten that out. Who ever gets its can clean it up a little or a lot and it would still be welcome at any show. It would be a blast to drive along PCH with just glasspacks. Long strokes make such a wonderful noise.