LOT 457
c.1920 Excelsior/Greuter 4-cylinder overhead-cam engine,
Sold for US$8,775 inc. premium
Lot 457
c.1920 Excelsior/Greuter 4-cylinder overhead-cam engine,
c.1920 Excelsior/Greuter 4-cylinder overhead-cam engine,
In 1925 Fred Moskovics assumed his leadership role at Stutz and began a major overhaul and modernization of the company’s offering. Moskovics had a vision for a European-type grand tourer. He wanted to produce a car that could rival the finest machines in the world. He began work on a low-slung chassis with large hydraulic brakes that would have excellent handling. To compliment this chassis a new, modern, high-performance engine needed to be developed and for this Moskovics turned to Charles “Pop” Grueter, a student of European racing machines and a longtime admirer of over-head valve and cam designs. Grueter felt that technology had advanced so much that a reliable overhead-cam engine could be built for road car use even though up to this point such designs were mainly reserved for the tack or specialized sports machines.
What attracted Moskovics’ attention was Greuter’s designs for the Excelsior Company. Grueter had found a sympathetic ear for his overhead-cam design theories. Excelsior, desiring to get into the passenger car engine business, produced a few variations of Grueter’s engine design in an attempt to sell to car manufacturers. Although they flopped in the OEM business most likely as a result of their complexity and high price, Fred Moskovics was convinced that Grueter’s motors were the right design for the new Stutz. Instead of buying Excelsior engines Moskovics bought Greuter. Now working for Stutz, Greuter began work on a refined version of his straight-eight engine.
This motor is one of the Excelsior made Greuter engines. It is believed to be the only surviving 4-cylinder. This motor was likely a prototype sent to manufacturers as a sales attempt.
This engine is an unusual design for the period and it’s no surprise it did not catch on. The large-displacement 4-cylinder engine with over-head cam is quite contrary to the trends of the 1920s. The design seems more like a pre-war competition engine. It is probable that given the robust nature of the motor it may have been marketed to the commercial market.
The engine survives today in what appears to be unused condition. It shows some evidence of having been run on a stand but does not appear to have been fitted to a vehicle. The engine is complete with magneto, carburetor and generator.
What ever its initial use it is an important piece of motoring and, in particular, Stutz history. It would make a fascinating and significant Museum display. In a different spirit it has great potential powering a vintage “special” as it is likely to be a very powerful motor.
What attracted Moskovics’ attention was Greuter’s designs for the Excelsior Company. Grueter had found a sympathetic ear for his overhead-cam design theories. Excelsior, desiring to get into the passenger car engine business, produced a few variations of Grueter’s engine design in an attempt to sell to car manufacturers. Although they flopped in the OEM business most likely as a result of their complexity and high price, Fred Moskovics was convinced that Grueter’s motors were the right design for the new Stutz. Instead of buying Excelsior engines Moskovics bought Greuter. Now working for Stutz, Greuter began work on a refined version of his straight-eight engine.
This motor is one of the Excelsior made Greuter engines. It is believed to be the only surviving 4-cylinder. This motor was likely a prototype sent to manufacturers as a sales attempt.
This engine is an unusual design for the period and it’s no surprise it did not catch on. The large-displacement 4-cylinder engine with over-head cam is quite contrary to the trends of the 1920s. The design seems more like a pre-war competition engine. It is probable that given the robust nature of the motor it may have been marketed to the commercial market.
The engine survives today in what appears to be unused condition. It shows some evidence of having been run on a stand but does not appear to have been fitted to a vehicle. The engine is complete with magneto, carburetor and generator.
What ever its initial use it is an important piece of motoring and, in particular, Stutz history. It would make a fascinating and significant Museum display. In a different spirit it has great potential powering a vintage “special” as it is likely to be a very powerful motor.
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