His airplane company was purchased by Ford Motor Co. in 1925 and Stout's design for a three-engined commercial airplane provided the basis for the famed Ford Tri-Motor. Stout went on to create his own small airline, which he later sold to United Airlines.
After that, Stout went back to designing airplanes but began to work on cars, as well.
The Scarab's Ford engine was mounted in the rear. Inside, the driver's seat and a rear bench were fixed in place, but two other chairs could be moved anywhere in the cabin. The interior was decorated with wood trim and a varnished wicker headliner.
Scarabs were rare and expensive, even in their day. At a cost of about $5,000 each, they were sold only by invitation to selected influential individuals. At most, nine were ever built.
