Wilson Pickett's 1974 Stutz Blackhawk Brings $50,600 The remarkably well preserved 1974 Stutz Blackhawk automobile once owned and driven by the late soul singer Wilson Pickett sold for $50,600 at a multi-estate sale held by Four Seasons Auction Gallery.
News-Antique.com - May 06,2007 - 1974 STUTZ BLACKHAWK CAR ONCE OWNED BY SOUL SINGING LEGEND
WILSON PICKETT BRINGS $50,600 AT FOUR SEASONS SALE HELD APRIL 29
(Atlanta, Ga.) - A remarkably well preserved 1974 Stutz Blackhawk automobile, once owned and driven by the late soul singer Wilson Pickett, sold for $50,600 at a multi-estate sale held April 29 by Four Seasons Auction Gallery. A large part of the sale was dedicated to the estate of Mr. Pickett, who passed away in Virginia this past January. Prices quoted include a 10% buyer's premium.
“The Stutz was Wilson's pride and joy, but he also left behind other items of interest that got the crowd of around 250 people pretty juiced,” said Steve White of Four Seasons Auction Gallery. “Stage costumes, jewelry, furniture, personal clothing – he owned a lot and we sold a lot. But we didn't have enough time to sell it all, so there will be a Part 2 to the Wilson Pickett estate, sometime in June.”
The automobile was the top lot of the auction. It was one of only eight Stutz Blackhawks imported into the U.S. in 1974. It featured a body hand-built in Torino, Italy; a 24-karat gold-plated interior; power sun roof; a 431 hp, 455 cu. in. modified Pontiac Grand Prix engine; and all leather interior. Originally silver, it was re-painted maroon. The odomoeter showed just 26,000 original miles.
Stutz Blackhawks were the car of choice among elite entertainers of the day. Besides Mr. Pickett, other owners included Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin (who wrecked his), Evel Knievel, Sammy Davis, Jr., Isaac Hayes, Robert Goulet and Lucille Ball. The Shah of Iran reportedly owned twelve of them. Steve White said an unidentified museum purchased Mr. Pickett's vehicle.
In other items from the estate of Wilson Pickett:
About 130 stage costumes, plus an equal number of hand-tailored suits and other items of personal clothing, were offered. A top lot was a red leather stage ensemble worn on tour by the singer. It sold for $715. Most of Mr. Pickett's stage costumes were form-fitting, rhinestone-studded outfits. Also, his 3.20-carat solitaire diamond ring, appraised at $21,750, was a bargain at just $12,100.
Many furniture pieces from inside Mr. Pickett's former residence in Reston, Va., were also put up for bid. Most were custom-designed by a functional sculptor and complemented one another. A custom dining table with glass-top sculpted metal frame soared to $6,380, while the matching set of eight upholstered dining chairs – two arms, six sides – were sold as single lots for a combined $16,280.
A wall-mounted custom sculpted bar, six feet in diameter, commanded $15,950, while a complementary hanging credenza, about six feet long and with a slate inset top, garnered $5,830. A pair of tables completed the custom grouping. One was a coffee table with 1/2-inch plate glass top, signed “DM 70” ($4,070); the other was a breakfast table, with glass top, signed “DE 70” ($2,970).
The “Wicked Mr. Pickett” was one of the most famous and recognizable soul
