Stutz Blackhawk

The Stutz Blackhawk was an American luxury car produced from 1971 through 1987. The Stutz Motor Company had been revived by James O'Donnell and Virgil Exner-designed car was prototyped by Ghia. It debuted in January of 1970 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The prototype cost more than US$300,000.

The production Blackhawk used Pontiac Grand Prix hardware and Pontiac's 7.5 L (455 in&sup3;) V8 engine. Output from the specially tuned engine was 425 hp (317 kW) and 420 ft·lbf (570 N·m). A GM TH400 automatic transmission was used, allowing the 5000 lb (2300 kg) car to accelerate to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds with a 130 mph top speed. Fuel economy was just 8 miles per gallon (30 L/100 km). Later Blackhawks used Pontiac's 403 and 350.

Exner's design included a spare tire that protruded through the trunklid and separate headlights. The interior included gold plated trim and birdseye maple. All early Blackhawks were coupes, but rare sedans were produced later.

In 1980, the Blackhawk was redesigned for the Pontiac Bonneville chassis.

The first production car was purchased by Elvis Presley (who later bought four more), with other famous owners including Sammy Davis Jr., Evel Knievel, Robert Goulet, Larry Holmes, Willy Nelson, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Al Pacino, Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton, and H.B. Halicki. Frank Sinatra vied with Elvis for the first car but never bought anymore but he did buy one. Each car included a dash plaque naming its original owner. The price for 1972 was US$23,000 but spiked to US$43,000 the next year. About 500 Blackhawks had been produced when production ended in 1987.