The Stutz Bearcat was one of the top sports cars of its day. So much so, it competed in the Indy 500 and a stock one was driven by Erwin “Cannon Ball” Baker from California to New York in 11 days, inspiring the Cannonball Run. With that kind of reputation, John Hopkins’ father paid him $1000 (nearly $25,000 in today’s money) to not drive the car.
Why did Hopkins’ father do that? He and his brother survived serving their country in World War I. Mr. Hopkins offered both brothers $1000 apiece to park their Bearcats, which they did. During World War II, one of the cars was donated to a scrap metal drive, but this one survived.
Paul Kelsey bought the car from the original owner in 1951. It became the centerpiece of his Kelsey Antique Automobile Museum in Missouri. The Bearcat represented Stutz for a ceremonial pace lap before the Indy 500 twice, in 1952 and 2012.
Find this 1914 Stutz 4E Bearcat for auction at Mecum.
