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Hemmings find of the day: 1974 Stutz Blackhawk

3K views 8 replies 9 participants last post by  LVEric 
#1 ·
#2 ·
Wow, what the heck did that start life as? Definite 70s GM style dash and trunk release button.
 
#4 ·
This was the original 'retro' period, started in the 60s by designers enamored with the 'classic' period of the 1930s. You see this influence in the long hood/short deck personal luxury cars that became popular in the 70s. Heck, the Monte Carlos fender character line is a reference to the sweeping fenders of those classic Dusenbergs and other period classics.

There was a small market for these conversions that took the look even further. I agree, IIRC, they were based off the GP. There was another one that aped the look of the classic Mercedes 500K.
 
#7 ·
Excalibur?
 
#8 ·
from wikipedia:

The very first Blackhawk sold was purchased by Elvis Presley on October 9, 1970 for US$26,500. This was the 2nd Blackhawk prototype, as built by Carrozzeria Padane (the first one, built by Ghia, was driven by James O'Donnell himself). Frank Sinatra had vied with Presley for the car. Sinatra was offered the 2nd prototype on the condition that the distributor, Jules Meyers, could show the car at the L.A. Auto show and got publicity photos with Sinatra at delivery. Sinatra declined but Presley accepted and ended up with the car. Presley had it customized by George Barris after purchase. In January 1971 Presley had a mobile telephone installed for US$1,467.50. In July 1971 a hired driver totaled the car. Distributor Jules Meyers offered US$1,000 for the wreck but Presley declined and put the wrecked car in storage. It was only restored, with non-original parts, after his death and can now be seen at the Graceland museum. Presley bought at least three more Blackhawks and leased one other (he bought a black 1971 for himself and a white 1971 for his Las Vegas doctor Elias Ghanem, and leased a white 1972 and a black 1973, his favorite Blackhawk, which car he purchased at the end of the lease; this 1973 car is also on display at Graceland).[8][9]

Other famous owners included **** Martin (1971), Lucille Ball (who got her 1971 Blackhawk as a gift from her husband Gary Morton with a dash plaque saying I Love Lucy - Gary), Sammy Davis Jr. (who owned two 1972, one for himself and one for his wife), Dean Martin (who owned three and crashed his 1972 Blackhawk with vanity plate DRUNKY), Robert Goulet (1972), Evel Knievel (1974), Wilson Pickett (1974), Luigi Colani (1974), Johnnie Taylor (1975), Johnny Cash (1975), Curd Jürgens (1977), Larry Holmes (1982), as well as Jerry Lewis, Liberace, Willie Nelson, Lou Brock, Isaac Hayes, Muhammed Ali, George Foreman, Tom Jones, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Al Pacino, Wayne Newton and H.B. Halicki. The Shah of Iran reportedly owned twelve of them. Stutz collector Ken Ramsey owns at least ten Blackhawks.[10]
Evidently a lot of famous people lack taste then...
 
#9 ·
I own the 71 Lucy Ball car. I bought it in Vegas at the dealership on top of the IP, Where the car collection was when Ralf Engalstad(SP?) owned the casino.

I bought it a year ago, it needs a frame off restoration. the hood on it weighs a ton and is very long, they put a ton of work into these cars. While they are not the class a 500 Mercedes is they are far from bolt on junk. Yes they do look like pimp mobiles but thats hardly the case. If you look at the first owners they were all celebs and they doubled their retail price from $30,000 in 71 to $60,000 there after.

I need to find a good shop to do the restoration, I took it to one shop and was quoted $200K which seemed way to high to me, it needs everything and I'm sure it will be more than $100K, any advice would be appreciated. I'm a new car guy, I have been lucvky enought to own just about everything I ever wanted at one time or another, mostly Lamborghini.

I also have a Hummer H-1 I took to Off-RoadAmerica(now closed) and had a 502 big block put in it, I need to have it serviced and dont know where to take it, its been sitting a few years(I had 5 back operations).


nice to meet everyone, and happy Labor day,

eric:)
 
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