William B. Stout was a motorcar and aviation engineer and journalist. Stout also had a yen for aerodynamics.

In 1916, Stout was lured away from Scripps-Booth by Packard Motor Car Company President Alvan Macauley, who named him chief engineer of Packard’s aviation division. Three years later, Stout left to start his own engineering company in Dearborn, Michigan.

The 1936 Stout Scarab came about in the early 1930s when William B. Stout dreamed of rear-engine/rear-wheel drive.

 

Headquarters Stout Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan

scarab  1930s/1940s

The Art Deco, aerodynamic, head-turning multi-passenger vehicle created a stir eight decades ago. The long, bulbous Scarab wore aluminum skin that was riveted to an aluminum space frame, much like an airplane, and it resembled the 1933 Dymaxion or perhaps even an Airstream camper. By placing the engine in the rear, Stout’s rear-wheel-drive Scarab offered more leg room for its driver and passengers. Its all-wheel independent suspension accounted for a smooth and stable ride, and it had hydraulically operated cast-iron drum brakes. Inside, only the driver’s seat was fixed. The others could be turned up to 180 degrees to face each other, and there was a fold-down table for meals or to play games. The cabin also offered cutting-edge amenities like a dust filter to enhance the inside air, interior lighting, thermostat-controlled heat, and power door locks.

The Scarab was powered by an 85-horsepower Ford flathead V-8, mated to a three-speed manual transmission. It could accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 15 seconds and had a top speed of about 128 km/h.

Stout Scarab (youtube.com)

1936-1946