File:1971 Stutz Blackhawk Series I (Supercharged) 2013 Racv Motorclassica (10492234493).jpg

P-01 PRESERVATION

During the mid 60s Virgil Exner published a series of avant grande automobile designs in Esquire magazine depicting a series of "revival cars" based in essence on the grand classics from the thirties including the luxurious and expensive Duesenberg.

These designs were produced as model toys by the Renwal Company including the design which was destined to become the Stutz Blackhawk. This particular design was selected for the revival of Stutz because it incorporated designed elements emulating the Stutz cars of the thirties. A prototype was built in 1968 by Ghia and a second prototype was constructed thereafter and sold to the first customer, Elvis Presley.

The 1971 Blackhawks were also hand built and assembled at Carrozzeria Padane in Modena, Italy who collaborated with Ghia in building Maserati vehicles and were priced in the range of $25~30,000 - more than twice the price of an average American home.

According to sources, there were approximately no more than 26 Blackhawks built in 1971 and only 14 are accounted for in the worldwide Stutz registry. This particular example is rare amongst its breed and it is reported to be the only one produced in burgundy. It it also reported to be the only example to have been optioned with a Paxton supercharger from new.