1931 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Victoria by Rollston
- Engine
- 5.3L DOHC inline-eight with hemispherical combustion chambers, 156 bhp
- Colour
- Black with silver striping
A 1931 Stutz DV-32 fitted with coachwork by Rollston of New York, body number 507-A to design 159, believed to be the first Rollston convertible Victoria body built on the DV-32 chassis. Delivered in all-black with silver striping to Toronto businessman John Paris Bickell, it passed through several documented owners before a frame-off restoration to original specification was completed in 2013 by Old Iron Works of Montgomery, Texas. The car subsequently won Best of Show at multiple prominent concours events that same year.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,100,000
- → 1951Private saleJohn Paris Bickellpartial documentation
Prominent Toronto businessman with international commercial and political connections; acquired the car after Toronto dealer V&S Motors sold it to him as the original purchaser.
- 1951 → 1962Acquisition unknownSamuel Footepartial documentation
University of Toronto professor and early marque enthusiast; used the car seasonally in summer while relying on a Cadillac V-16 limousine during winter months.
- 1962 → 1968Private saleGary Campbellpartial documentation
Snap-On tools dealer based in Stoney Creek, Ontario, and a Classic Car Club of America member; used the car actively in club activities.
- 1968 → 1978Acquisition unknownDr. Donald Vesleypartial documentation
Noted collector based first in New Orleans, later relocating to Ocala, Florida; approximate dates of ownership.
- 1978 → 2010Private saleStan Staniszewskifull documentation
Troy, Michigan-based owner who initiated a lengthy restoration project spanning roughly three decades; conducted provenance research that surfaced the original build sheet and Creteur family correspondence.
- 2010 →Private saleRichard Mitchellfull documentation
Recognized Stutz specialist whose Old Iron Works facility in Montgomery, Texas, carried out a full frame-off restoration completed in 2013, returning the car to its original color scheme.
Competition
- 1962Classic Car Club of AmericaClassic Car Club of America CARavan to Montreal
Gary Campbell participated in the annual CCCA touring event with the car.
- 20132013 Keels and Wheels ConcoursBest of Show
- 20132013 Louisville Concours d'EleganceBest of Show
- 20132013 Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
- 20132013 Milwaukee MasterpieceChairman's Choice
Maintenance & restoration
- 1978Restoration
Restoration commenced by owner Stan Staniszewski; the project proceeded intermittently over approximately thirty years without reaching completion.
Concurrent with restoration work, Staniszewski undertook provenance research that recovered original factory build documentation.
- 2013RestorationOld Iron Works
Full frame-off restoration to concours standard completed by the owner's own facility, using nearly all surviving original components and trim, and returning the car to the black-with-silver-striping scheme documented on the original Rollston build sheet.
Work was initiated after Richard Mitchell acquired the car in late 2010; restoration was described by the owner as encompassing every aspect of the vehicle from top to bottom.
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