Video Of Ultra Rare Stout Scarab

"SteveLehto" (stevelehto) 01/22/2015 at 13:00 • Filed to: None

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Recently I got to visit a really cool car collection and shoot video of an ultra rare Stout Scarab. How rare is ultra rare ? This is one of 5 left in the world, and perhaps only 6 were made (although some sources say 9).

So, I interviewed my car-expert friend Mark Lieberman to get to some of the details of this mighty fine, mighty rare vehicle. It went something like this:

If you want to see more still photos of the vehicle, check out !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on it with non-moving pictures as illustrations.

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I'll post more pics from the collection - the non-Stout photos - a little later on. There were some really cool cars there. Like those two Maseratis behind my left ear.

Follow me on Twitter: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Hear my podcast on iTunes: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Steve Lehto is a writer and attorney and has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. This does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not meant to constitute legal advice, so the good news is we're not billing you by the hour for reading this. The bad news is that you shouldn't act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 13:02

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Steve, your posts are so great that they even make a minivan interesting.

I'm kidding of course, as the Scarab is the best minivan ever made.

SteveLehto > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/22/2015 at 13:04

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Thanks! I had the same feeling walking around this thing. Like I'd seen it before - but what I was imagining was all the minivans made well after 1936.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 13:47

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Holy shit, a Facel!

SteveLehto > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/22/2015 at 13:50

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There was so much here and I had such little time . . . .

craig-oesterling > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 14:36

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I've seen one of these!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/coester…

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 14:40

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I love that Scarab. I want to build a replica.

SteveLehto > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/22/2015 at 14:42

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This was really neat. I've seen pics of its construction as well. Interesting through and through.

MazdaMonkey > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:35

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I saw a Scarab when it was touring through Atlanta last year. One of the coolest cars I have ever seen in person. I Love it.

DMCVegas > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:38

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This thing is begging for a paint job and a sound system...

DetroitKubes > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:39

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I saw a blue one at the GM Tech Center years ago. Gorgeous.

DMCVegas > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:42

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The rear end looks a lot like the front of a Chrysler Air Flow

TS2131 > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:43

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I drove one of these... in L.A. Noire.

SteveLehto > DMCVegas 01/22/2015 at 15:47

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Yes! That was what I first thought when I saw it too.

James > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:48

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Hello Steve, love your posts, so I just figured I might offer some unsolicited advice. You might want to pay attention to the way Jay Leno interacts with his guests. It feels more conversational, and less like a forced interrogation. For example, you asked the gentleman if the Scarab had any aeronautical influence, but as a car lover you clearly already know that answer already. You seem to be hesitant to really show that you know your stuff, which readers know you do. If you practice being a bit more fluid, your viewers will be much more likely to come back and you'll be more likely to hook new ones.

Other than that, the camera work is great and the content is interesting. There are a lot of potential in these segments. Thanks for the OC!

Stephen > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:48

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I saw this Scarab at the High Museum of Art Dream Cars exhibit in Atlanta last summer. It was one of the most unique and unforgettable cars there.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > TS2131 01/22/2015 at 15:51

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The first time I obtained one, I ended up rolling it so hard the doors and hood/frunk lid were flung off. Not much body damage, but it really ruined the look.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/22/2015 at 15:52

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Also the slowest, but who cares.

It would go well with a Doodlebug tanker as a tow vehicle.

You know I'm right.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:52

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advancing my geek status here.

This is one of my Powerball cars

SteveLehto > James 01/22/2015 at 15:53

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James - thanks for the note. I worked in radio for years but this talkie-picture stuff is newish to me. I'm doing the best I can.

As for the knowledge of the car stuff, I know a bit but Mark knows WAY MORE THAN I DO on this one. What little I knew about the car had come from the pretape interview. The upshot of this is I need to either come up with better questions or learn to act.

(I've been on Jay Leno's Garage, BTW. The episode I was on won an Emmy, although I can't claim credit for that.)

Thanks.

SteveLehto > Stephen 01/22/2015 at 15:53

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Are you sure it is the same one? This one was only recently restored.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 15:54

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The Stout Scarab makes me sad that it didn't get the attention that it really deserves.

Also, the 30s were a time of fantastic designs, like the Texaco Doodlebug tanker truck.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 01/22/2015 at 15:55

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Yarp. Rear-engined flathead Ford is best Ford.

SteveLehto > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 01/22/2015 at 15:56

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Yeah, a lot had to do with Stout being a genius engineer and not a genius marketer. The thing had loads of aluminum and MAGNESIUM in it and it retailed for $5,000. In 1936. That's like a gazillion dollars today.

The car is cool, as were the times. Thanks for the note.

DavidHH > TS2131 01/22/2015 at 15:59

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How well did it drive? Shift? Handle? Stop?

ekstarr > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:01

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too precious to start it up and drive it?

DavidHH > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:01

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Will you post these pictures? Particularly of the Mechanicals?

vsdvgfd > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:04

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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:06

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a lot had to do with Stout being a genius engineer and not a genius marketer.

Engineers tend not to do well at anything requiring large amounts of soft skills. However, the few geniuses that do show up are generally way ahead of their time.

In my field (Computer Science), that would typified by Alan Turing.

Travis M. Cotton > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:06

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Great article as usual Steve. The car isnt my thing but its a very interesting article and video. Id call this the Catholic Family Crossover. Im Catholic so Im allowed to poke fun and I have 4 kids so double that.

TS2131 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/22/2015 at 16:12

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Yeah, I just wrecked all my cars in that game... all part of the fun.

31ModelA > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:13

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Love this view. It's indeed a breathtaking automobile.

Built BMW Tough > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:15

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I want this.

SteveLehto > ekstarr 01/22/2015 at 16:17

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It was snowing outside.

SteveLehto > DavidHH 01/22/2015 at 16:17

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I posted some pics in the article I reference. I do not have all the pics that I saw though.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > TS2131 01/22/2015 at 16:19

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The best thing to do is get an International K up to great speed and piledrive the center of an intersection, like somewhere in Wilshire. So much work to prepare, but so fun.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > DetroitKubes 01/22/2015 at 16:21

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I saw this same one at a concours d'Elegance in Geneva, IL a couple of years ago. I was really hoping it would come back for another showing. I would love to spend more time looking at this in person!

DennyCraneDennyCraneDennyCrane > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:26

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I mean, at worst there's a 20% shot it's the same one...

Hooneriphic > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:29

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Bureau of Labor and Statistics' CPI calculator adjusts 5K (1936) to 85K (2014).

For poops and giggles, did the museum give you any idea of the current value of the Scarab?

SteveLehto > Hooneriphic 01/22/2015 at 16:30

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It's privately owned but I did not ask what it cost.

Hooneriphic > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:31

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Link or it didn't happen!

SteveLehto > Hooneriphic 01/22/2015 at 16:33

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If you insist:

Hooneriphic > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:33

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Gotcha. It's so rare you can make the argument for the vaunted "priceless" moniker.

SteveLehto > Hooneriphic 01/22/2015 at 16:35

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That was my thinking. Face it: Everything has a price. If you auctioned the Mona Lisa, it would sell. The difference is that it is crazy money (unpredictable) and so few people could afford it that it is out of range for all but a few of the richest of the rich on the planet.

Hooneriphic > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:37

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I know it's been said a million times by Jalops the world over, but THAT is a cool car.

SteveLehto > Hooneriphic 01/22/2015 at 16:38

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I wrote a book about it, as you might gather from the video. And it is a VERY Cool car (I got to drive it).

Hooneriphic > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:39

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Hence the quotes. Nothing is truly priceless when owned by an entity that no longer wishes to posses said item.

Great post and thanks for the conversation!

PanchoVilleneuve ST > DavidHH 01/22/2015 at 16:42

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Exactly like every other car in LA Noire.

Not the most exciting driving model in that game.

DavidLMM > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:56

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We at Lane Motor Museum were caretakers of a Scarab after a show at the Frist Center in Nashville in 2013. We got to drive it around a bit, prepping it to load up for the trip back to its owner. Odd car, seating is fully flexible - not bolted down! My video from inside was less than successful - I needed both hands to hold on! Beautiful car, lots of interesting details - I wish I'd spent more time with it.

X37.9XXS > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 16:57

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I thought you were talking about

TS2131 > PanchoVilleneuve ST 01/22/2015 at 17:02

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Although the driving was better than the interrogating.

greenrover > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 17:14

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I want that Facel Vega NOW!!!!

SteveLehto > greenrover 01/22/2015 at 17:17

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At least one other person has called dibs on it here in the comments. I give you guys credit for picking it out of a background.

keenan9 > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 17:22

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Saw this one at the Barrington Concours d'Elegance in 2013.

wkiernan > greenrover 01/22/2015 at 17:37

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Die Ride like an absurdist!

Wampa > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 17:39

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This was one of my favorite cars to drive around in LA Noire.

Nauraushaun > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 17:50

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I want to know more about the Scarab in the lake! I can't find any pictures of it. If I lived anywhere near that thing, you can bet I'd be diving into that lake to find it. It'd be fantastic!

SteveLehto > Nauraushaun 01/22/2015 at 17:53

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We are working on that as well. Might be an urban legend but you never know . . .

willmederski > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 18:06

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a butt load of amazing oddball cars, including the Scarab, were at the Frist in Nashville a year ago. i luckily made a stop though while it was on exhibit.

absolutely stunning machines.

http://fristcenter.org/calendar-exhib…

Nauraushaun > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 18:15

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I do find it hard to believe no one's bothered to track down such a rare and historically significant car, if the location is known. I'd have thought something like this would be done to it. Or at the very least, if not exhumed, someone would have tried to find the thing.

DerW220 > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 18:16

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It's really a treat for the eyes. I'm glad I got to see it in Atlanta. I spent WAY too much time looking at it.

greenagain > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 18:17

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Good job Steve. I've shot s few videos like "how to change a tire" and being on camera is difficult.

SteveLehto > Nauraushaun 01/22/2015 at 18:18

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We're not saying it is still there (if it was there in the first place). We just heard the story.

SteveLehto > greenagain 01/22/2015 at 18:19

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Thanks. I've done radio but not as much video. The tricky part here was that I was the lead - I have been on camera before where someone tossed me questions and that is a lot easier.

greenagain > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 18:21

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You realize how often you touch yourself, and say uh.

Kabacj > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 18:32

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Steve. Thanks for sharing the vid. The turbine car is truly a marvel of engineering. I knew it was great but until now I did not realize how great. As someone who has built a car from the ground up I understand how amazing this car is. This car was the moon shot of the auto industry. It's great that you and Jay can share it with us. Thanks again.

SteveLehto > greenagain 01/22/2015 at 18:33

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What kind of videos did you say you shoot again?

Wagonboy > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 18:53

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Steve, love your articles! But this video of the Scarab was 99% video of two guys talking about a Scarab while standing next to it. As gorgeous as you are, I'd still rather see a video with 1% of the footage of you talking with another adonis and 99% of the footage devoted to the rare car.

SteveLehto > Wagonboy 01/22/2015 at 18:57

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I don't edit these, I just stand there and talk. The guys did get more of the car into this one (we did one on the Tucker which was much more talking and much less car).

I suspect that most of the Jalopnik-folk would rather just have us off camera and have it be all car. The problem is that the cable channel that airs this is for regular-folk. Those people want some human involvement (or so I am told).

But I appreciate the feedback. We're making more of these in the future and I will pass that along.

Wagonboy > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 19:03

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You're also a gentleman and a stand-up guy with a true fan here. Stay busy.

elvinrivera > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 19:46

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My God!! How can they talk about William Stout and not mention his greatest accomplishment? They glossed over it calling him an aviation pioneer. The man put the public in the air by creating the first viable airliner in 1926, The Stout/Ford 4-AT TriMotor.

I know the piece was about the Scarab but give the man his due.

ldympr > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 20:19

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WOW! Thanks for sharing, this is one of the greatest cars I've seen! I do want the steering wheel and hood. AWESOME

MyExwifeisAmish > SteveLehto 01/22/2015 at 20:54

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I have a friend who is a frequent public speaker. Quite often after her talks, someone from the audience approaches her and says, "May I give you some advice?" Her answer is always "No." Smart woman.

Dadu > Hooneriphic 01/22/2015 at 22:43

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That ran on anything that would burn.

James > MyExwifeisAmish 01/23/2015 at 00:34

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I honestly don't mean to be a douche; I just want to help. You can't tell me the dialog in the video didn't feel rehearsed. The better these videos become, the better-off everyone is. More money for Steve, ostensibly, and more content for us!

pip bip - choose Corrour > SteveLehto 01/23/2015 at 08:24

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mine mine mine!

SteveLehto > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/23/2015 at 08:26

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I struggled to get a selfie that captured as many cars as possible but then just settled for this one with the big block Corvette in the front. I can tell you that the BACK row in this photo had a whole bunch of cool Italian stuff.

pip bip - choose Corrour > SteveLehto 01/23/2015 at 08:29

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more pics then please :)

SteveLehto > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/23/2015 at 08:36

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Here is a quick pic. I'll do a whole post later.

Stephen > SteveLehto 01/23/2015 at 08:53

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You know, I'm not positive. Since it is such a rare car, I just assumed!

Whitesmoke > SteveLehto 01/23/2015 at 09:09

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Cool! Magnesium doors - have a care when you toss your cigarette out the window, for sure.

SteveLehto > Whitesmoke 01/23/2015 at 09:32

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Can you imagine?!

Whitesmoke > SteveLehto 01/23/2015 at 10:17

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Since I went through Navy fire fighting school, and we covered class IV fires, why yes I can. Good to know that no Scarabs were lost due to door fires (so far). Keep your fingers crossed.

ekstarr > SteveLehto 01/24/2015 at 00:23

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that's good reason

axiomatik > DennyCraneDennyCraneDennyCrane 01/27/2015 at 13:32

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Other posts show a blue one, so that's one Scarab off the list. 25% chance at worst.