Back to back – Bearcat or Detroiter Speedster?

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We all know the merits of the Stutz Bearcat, don’t we? Short wheelbase, minimalistic bodywork with monocle windscreen, plenty of power and lots of fun. Oh, and a proper racing pedigree and not just on the track in official racing. The fact that Erwin ‘Cannonball’ Baker drove a standard Bearcat from California to New York in a record time of eleven days, seven hours and fifteen minutes in 1915, inspiring the later Cannonball Run race and film spin-offs, certainly added to its notoriety, too. The Bearcat became a status symbol for the rich and famous with an adventurous lifestyle.

During the Hershey autojumble, on 11 October this year, RM Sothebys will be selling one such Bearcat. A Model 4F one to be precise that used to belong to the John Muckel collection in California. And despite the fact that this is ‘only’ an eight-valve four-cylinder 390 cu version, we wouldn’t be surprised if this became a strong seller.

Then it’s also good to know RM Sothebys is selling plenty more cars in the same league. Or just about. How about the 1912 Briggs-Detroiter Speedster they have on offer? Squint your eyes and it’ll hard to say which of the two is the Bearcat. Although not much is known about this particular car (by us, at least – do regale us with information if you like), we would say that despite not being quite so famous, it’s even much rarer. This Speedster is said to be a prototype, which used to be in the collection of Jim and Richard Merrick of Nebraska. Briggs-Detroiter advertised with ‘Absolutely the first European streamline in America; first high speed, long-stroke, ball-bearing motor; lightest car of its class; biggest car for its money.” The engine certainly looks to be a four-cylinder also and with the standard Detroiter coming with 32hp, we trust this one to be slightly more powerful.

Over to you – which is the one to go for?

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures courtesy RM Sothebys.

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