Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
The Stutz Blackhawk VIII: The second series.
The Stutz Blackhawk VIII is a luxury coupé produced between 1980 and 1986 by the Stutz Motor Car of America, incorporating design revisions by Italian stylist Paolo Martin. It represents a late-stage iteration of the Blackhawk series, distinguished by modifications to both its exterior styling and underlying platform. The model exemplifies the brand’s continued strategy of combining American mechanical components with bespoke European coachwork. Constructed on the General Motors B-platform, the Blackhawk VIII was initially based on the Pontiac Bonneville and later the Pontiac Parisienne. The vehicle retained a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration and was offered with a range of V8 engines, typically between 5.0 and 5.7 liters in displacement. Some units were reportedly fitted with a 6.6-liter engine. These were coupled with automatic transmissions, consistent with standard GM offerings of the period. Martin’s revisions to the vehicle’s exterior included a raised rear deck, repositioned tail lamp assemblies mounted above the bumper, and a reimagined side profile featuring chrome trim designed to simulate separate fender elements. While these updates introduced a more contemporary aesthetic, the Blackhawk VIII retained core stylistic elements from earlier iterations, including freestanding headlamps, a prominent vertical grille, and an exposed spare tire mounted on the rear deck. Interior appointments continued the Blackhawk tradition of opulence, incorporating Connolly leather upholstery, burled walnut trim, and gold-plated accents. Standard features included power-adjustable seating, automatic climate control, and high-grade audio systems. Each vehicle was hand-assembled in Italy, with bodies constructed by Carrozzeria Saturn and final assembly conducted under the supervision of Stutz personnel. Annual production volumes were low. Estimates suggest approximately 50 units were completed each year between 1980 and 1983, with production declining to around 20 units annually from 1984 to 1986. No centralized registry of chassis numbers exists, and individual ownership records are incomplete, though several examples have appeared in private collections. The Stutz Blackhawk VIII reflects a continuation of the brand’s mid-20th-century neoclassical design language during a period marked by shifting tastes in the luxury automobile sector. It remains a notable example of limited-production American luxury vehicles incorporating European design influences during the late 20th century.
Discover the outrageous revival of Stutz in the late 1960s—a defunct American luxury brand reborn with neo-classic styling, Italian craftsmanship, and unapologetic opulence. A comeback story like no other.
In the world of automotive design, few names carry the weight of innovation and artistry quite like Paolo Martin. Born in Turin, Italy, in…
