Dick Simms (American, B. 1932) "Stutz Bearcat 1933" Signed lower left. Original Oil on Acrylic Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 11c Stutz Bearcat 1933 stamp issued June 11, 1985. Harry C. Stutz had designed automobiles for fourteen years before starting his own car company in 1910. The first automobile Stutz produced was a racing car that he built in only five weeks and entered in the first Indianapolis 500 auto race in 1911. Although the car did not win the race, it averaged almost seventy miles-per-hour and required no mechanical adjustments during the entire race. In 1914, Stutz introduced the legendary "Bearcat" model which became one of the best known sports cars in America. The Bearcat featured a low chassis, raked steering column, two bucket seats and a three speed gearbox. While Stutz knew the quality of his cars, he also knew the value of publicity. Therefore, when a customer brought back his newly acquired Bearcat, protesting that its performance was below standard, Stutz handed the car over to the famous driver E.G. "Cannonball" Baker, who used the very same car to break the trans-American speed record. This feat helped secure the reputation of the legendary Stutz Bearcat Sportscar. Image Size: 12.25 x 17 in. Overall Size: 15.25 x 19.75 in. Unframed. (B09612) See More