Harry Clayton Stutz
(1876 – 1930)
“But for him, none of this would have happened”
Born: Ansonia, Ohio near Dayton
Siblings: 2 sisters: Frances Almeda Brubaker (11 children) and Iva Stutz (had polio)
Religion: German Baptist Brethren
Education: Grade School – “A tinkerer”
Year-by-Year Highlights of Mr. Stutz’ Life
1894: At 18, he moved to Dayton and lived with Aunt Lydia Stutz and son Charles. He learned machinist trade at Davis Sewing Machine Co. and National Cash Register.
1897: Repaired bicycles at home located at 2404 E. 3rd St.
1898: Built car, “Old Hickory” with 2 hp engine. Married Clara Marie Dietz, October 25th
1899: Set up Stutz Mfg. Co. to build gas engines. Relocated to 703 E. May.
1900: Built second car for transportation.
1901: Emma Belle born (she died May 30, 1992)
1902: Sold Stutz Mfg Co. to Lindsay Auto Parts Co. located at South Street & Senate, Indianapolis
1903: Moved to Shelby Street, Indianapolis, as machinist with Gormully & Jeffery Tire Co. & U.S. Tire
1904: Salesman for Shebler Carburetor – brought Messrs. Wheeler and Shebler together
1905: Built “Tourist” car for American Motor Car Co. using 4 cylinder by Testor Bros.
1906 – 1910: Marion Motor Car Co., Chief Engineer and Designer/Factory Manager
1909: Built Marion Pace cars (2) for Indiana Trophy Race at Crown Point – took 3rd.
– Placed 5th in G&J 100 mile trophy race
– Placed 8th in Wheeler/Shebler 300 miler
– Placed 5th in 24-hour Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York 1-mile oval track
1910: Marion Special roadster offered for racing.
– Toured European Auto Mfgs. in England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland.
– Formed Stutz Auto Parts Co., began selling Stutz Transaxle
1911: Built Empire Model 20, “The Little Aristocrat”
– April, began building first Stutz for the first “500”
– May 30, placed 11th with no mechanical problems. Slogan, “The Car that Made Good in a Day” was coined.
– June, leased 430 N. Capital Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana, building to begin production.
– Ideal Motor Car Co. organized with Henry F. Campbell, President. Built factor at 221 W. 10th St.
1912: Introduced “Bear Cat” for Stutz Motorcar Co.
1913: Ideal & Auto Parts companies merged into Stutz Motor Car Co. (Indiana corporation) with Harry as president.
1914: First building facing Capital built, Building A
1915: New cross-country record by Barney Oldfield
– World Champions in racing with White Squadron using 300cc, 50 OHC, 4 valve/cylinder
– Placed 1st & 2nd at Chicago & Elgin, Illinois, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Sheepshead Bay, New York
– Placed 1st & 2nd in Astor Cup, racing 350 miles, averaging 102.6 and 102.2 mph, respectively.
1916: Organized Stutz Motor Car Company of America Inc. (SMCC of America) and listed on NYSE
– Allen Ryan took over company. Harry stayed on a President under contact for three years to July 1, 1919.
1917: Stutz built own engine, a 360 cu, 16 valve, 4 cylinder with 80 hp. Machine shop built and plant expanded.
1919: Harry left the company on July 1st and moved his operations to 1400 N Capital: Stutz Fire Apparatus Co.
– HCS Motor Car Co., 3001 cars sold.
1920: Stutz factory expansion completed.
1921/1922: Post WWI Depression
1925: Married Blanche Clark Miller. Divorced Clara and moved to Orlando, Florida.
– Emma married William S. Horn.
1926: Grandson W. S. Horn, Jr. born.
– Developed 4-cylinder opposed engine for Stutz Bellanca Aircraft Co.
– H.C.S. & Fire companies closed down
1930: Died June 26th at Methodist Hospital
– Buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, with Secrest family.
1993: Inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame, Midland, Michigan.
Information on this page has been excerpted from The Splendid Stutz, a 392-page hardbound history of Harry Clayton Stutz and the cars produced under his leadership. To find out more about this book, CLICK HERE.