The Scarab was designed by aviation pioneer William Bushnell Stout, and hand-built in single-digit numbers by Stout Motor Car Company. The design was inspired by nature, in particular the rounded shape of the scarab beetle. It could seat up to seven passengers and used innovative modern materials, including an aluminum body, a tubular steel frame, and lace-wood interior panels that were easy to clean.

Stout lowered the floor pan to provide more headroom, and installed a Ford V-8 engine in the rear for more usable front storage space (an unusual configuration for the time). This car was a precursor to the minivan of today but with convertible seating. The front passenger seat could rotate fully; the back seat became a couch, and there was a fold-out table.