1921 Stutz Model K Bulldog

Few automobiles capture the spirit of the Nickel Era quite like a Stutz, and while the marque’s legendary Bearcat needs little introduction, the Bulldog Tourer offered a compelling alternative for enthusiasts unwilling to sacrifice performance for practicality. Introduced in 1915, the four-passenger Bulldog shared the Bearcat’s mechanical specification but rode on a wheelbase stretched by 10 inches. Its narrow, close-coupled body remained remarkably light, giving the Bulldog an engaging blend of sporting performance and genuine touring utility.

Power comes from Stutz’s celebrated 361-cubic-inch T-head inline four-cylinder, fed by a single Stromberg carburetor and producing 80 horsepower. A three-speed manual transmission sends that power to the rear wheels, which incorporated mechanical drum brakes. The result is an engaging automobile that delivers the spirited character for which Stutz became famous, while offering the added versatility of a practical four-passenger touring body.

This remarkable Bulldog’s earliest history remains elusive, although fascinating black-and-white photographs from the late 1930s provide a glimpse into its earlier life, where it is seen parked on the street with pinup figures painted across its doors in the flamboyant style of aircraft nose art.

Adding considerably to this Bulldog’s appeal is its remarkable association with the late Don Short. It is believed to have been the very Stutz that first ignited his lifelong passion for the marque and a significant part of his celebrated collection after he acquired it in 1951. A devoted enthusiast and accomplished Stutz mechanic, Short retained the Bulldog for more than six decades, preserving and enjoying it with his family. Following its sale in 2011 to a prominent Seattle-area collector, the Bulldog received sympathetic mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment. Its body was refinished in the rich ochre color it wears today, while the interior was carefully retrimmed to preserve surviving original leather and a new top was fitted.

With so many Bulldog Tourers later converted into Bearcats, original examples are increasingly appreciated for their practicality and character. With its long history, attractive patina, and well-preserved details, this Bulldog is an especially appealing example of an especially distinctive Stutz.