We’re again once more with extra Stutz historical past, and our protection of the bric-a-brac produced by the Stutz Neoclassical firm as complementary choices to two-doors just like the Blackhawk, Bearcat, and Bearcat II. In our final entry, we coated the Duplex, a sedan that (unsuccessfully) wore Blackhawk styling. Based both on a Pontiac or a Cadillac, the Duplex was the last word manufacturing model of the Ministeriale prototype sedan constructed by Carrozzeria Padane.
With an astronomical ask of $32,500 ($251,312 adj.) circa 1970 and styling that hadn’t translated nicely right into a sedan, the Duplex was a non-starter. Just one was ever made, and it was offered to a prison in Utah. But that didn’t deter CEO James O’Donnell, who was insistent a Stutz sedan was viable. Just a few years later there was one other Stutz sedan offered: IV-Porte.
Unlike the title of the Duplex, the IV-Porte acknowledged its objective proper on the grille (in gold after all). With its foundation in Italian coachbuilding certainly Stutz would have most popular Quattroporte, however that title was already in use for the pretty crap third-generation Maserati sedan.
Recall from our previous entry that Stutz was confronted with Seventies downsizing like different producers. But not like different OEMs Stutz was extra a secondhand producer, compelled to depend on platforms from General Motors which it then rebodied. The G-body Grand Prix platform it used for its quantity Blackhawk went out of manufacturing in 1972. Thus, within the mid-Seventies Stutz was compelled to generate new two- and four-door design concepts. They referred to as Paolo Martin.
Martin sketched the IV-Porte’s design in 1976, on the identical time he did a rework of the Blackhawk. Martin was well-known for his automotive designs all through the Seventies and created a portfolio of labor throughout his employment with Pininfarina. When he labored on the brand new vehicles for Stutz he regarded to the unique Exner designs for inspiration. What resulted – just like the second model of the Blackhawk – was a four-door (unnamed on the time) on a smaller scale than its predecessor.
From the 1976 sketches, Stutz labored up a brand new sedan that had AMC-style door handles. The timeline has the four-door’s announcement in both 1977 or 1978, however manufacturing didn’t begin till later. Initial drawings had been labeled with a reputation that was not finally chosen for the automobile: Diplomatic. Stutz made use of that title later, however earlier than launch, the brand new sedan was renamed IV-Porte.
Unlike the deceased Duplex, the supply materials for the IV-Porte was extra apparent: The General Motors B-body, particularly the Pontiac Bonneville. Stutz was a fan of the Bonneville at the moment and used it for the Blackhawk and the primary Bearcat targa. While these two fashions used the Bonneville two-door sedan, the brand new IV-Porte was primarily based on the four-door Bonneville. Production of the IV-Porte began in 1979, across the identical time as the opposite two Stutz fashions.
Given they shared a platform, many of the elements from the brand new Blackhawk translated proper over to the IV-Porte. All the Exner-lite styling was current, from the freestanding lamps to the fenders with their awnings over the driving lamps. Also applied was the chromed model of the Bonneville’s bumper with its foremost giveaway, the amber indicators. The IV-Porte used the identical engines because the Bonneville, which we’ve coated in a earlier entry.
Chrome exterior fixtures and fittings had been the identical on the IV-Porte as on the Blackhawk. The two shared the identical notable trim: the gently curved chrome strip that helped the sedan look so long as attainable. The decrease chrome door ornament from the Blackhawk was used too however needed to be duplicated (and barely shorter) on the rear door of the sedan. It gave the odd impact of two dashes on both aspect, supported beneath by the nonfunctional chrome exhaust pipe that exited from the fender.
Stutz saved the doorways and home windows from the donor Bonneville, however curiously determined to skip the extra formal skirted fender it wore from the manufacturing facility. Speaking of ritual, the C-pillar of the Bonneville was far too sloped and simply wouldn’t do for IV-Porte obligation. Stutz designers edited that right into a extra brand-friendly form, with an virtually vertical C-pillar that was a lot thicker. The roof redo gave a extra formal look and introduced the sedan consistent with its coupe brother. Like all Stutz fashions, it had a shrunken rear window because of the thick pillar.
The rear finish of the IV-Porte was a replica and paste of the Blackhawk, with its sloped rear fender line, minor fender overhangs highlighted in chrome, and coated spare tire in the midst of the trunk lid. Overall the look was diminished like the brand new Blackhawk however didn’t look as cobbled because the ill-fated Duplex.
Fortunes improved on the IV-Porte’s inside as nicely, because it acquired the identical burled wooden sprint, gold plated fittings, and plush upholstery supplies as discovered on the Blackhawk. The quantity of gold on the inside shouldn’t be underestimated, as practically each swap, lever, deal with, and button was coated in it. One set of switches escaped the Midas Touch: The energy seat controls. Worth noting, not all clients ordered their IV-Porte with full leather-based. A darkish blue instance from the advertising and the sunshine blue one proven under have a leather-based and velour combo inside.
Since the IV-Porte was much less customized work and had its foundation on a smaller car, one would possibly assume it price lower than the Duplex earlier within the decade. But that assumption can be mistaken! In 1981, the IV-Porte requested $84,500 ($287,796 adj.), or practically 13 p.c greater than the Duplex. Reportedly, that ask was the identical because the modern Blackhawk.
However, not like the Duplex the IV-Porte really discovered some consumers. Barry White (1944-2003) added a cream and brown IV-Porte subsequent to the Blackhawk in his storage. White’s instance grew to become the main focus of an episode of Counting Cars in 2012, as White’s widow requested the present to search out and restore the long-lost sedan. The automobile was efficiently situated and restored to its former glory (Season 1, Episode 13). Other musical IV-Porte clients included Kenny Rogers (1938-2020), who bought a white instance in 1980.
Production of the IV-Porte continued by means of 1981, and it’s believed round 50 had been made. For its three-year manufacturing timeline, the IV-Porte was a really profitable providing for Stutz. Perhaps the Duplex was simply provided a bit too quickly, when the corporate lacked the model recognition to ask massive cash for a sedan. The state of affairs was totally different a number of years later after phrase acquired round that the showbiz elite had been followers of the brand new Stutz.
The discontinuation of the IV-Porte was merely a sensible matter, as the top of 1981 was the top of the B-body Pontiac Bonneville. The downsizing monster claimed one other sufferer. Stutz needed to swap to a brand new donor mannequin, even when it nonetheless used the identical B-body platform. Said mannequin changeover gave Stutz an opportunity to suppose larger for its sedan, so beginning in 1982 clients would have extra room for actions of their four-door Stutz. We’ll choose up with the IV-Porte’s grandiose evolution subsequent time.
[Images: Stutz, YouTube]
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Source: www.thetruthaboutcars.com