Although many associate the Muntz Jet with Earl “Mad Man” Muntz, credit for its design rightly goes to legendary racing car builder Frank Kurtis. A smooth two-seater with aluminum and fiberglass bodywork, some 36 examples were built before Kurtis sold the operation to Muntz in 1950.

Muntz extended the wheelbase to 113 inches and added a rear seat. He chose the Cadillac overhead-valve V8 for power, upgraded the interior and renamed the car the “Muntz Jet.” After 30 cars were built in Glendale, California, Muntz moved operations to Evanston, Illinois. The wheelbase grew to 116 inches, and a “flathead” Lincoln V8 replaced the Cadillac engine. Transmissions were usually GM Hydra-Matics, but a three-speed with overdrive was also available.

Muntz sold his car to a number of celebrities including Clara Bow, Vic Damone and bandleader Freddie Martin. Performance was quite good, with top speeds in the 108-120 mph range. Production ceased in 1954, with perhaps 350 built in all. Muntz admitted to losing $400,000 on the venture due to the painstaking assembly process and extensive handwork lavished on the cars.

Story by RM Auctions

In Detail

submitted by	admin
type	Series Production Car

Auction Sales History

1952 Muntz Jet Convertible – sold for $82,500

his particular example is offered from a large and respected private collection in California. Maintained in climate-controlled storage and regularly exercised, it features dual spotlights, a removable hard top and, of course, a Muntz radio. Interior appointments include red leather upholstery, matching carpeting and a machine-turned instrument panel with a complete set of gauges. Much rarer today than when new, this fascinating Muntz Jet is considered by many to mark the true beginnings of the “personal luxury” market, nearly a decade before the four-seat Ford Thunderbird of 1958 to 1960.
Auction Source: 2010 Vintage Cars of Meadow Book by RM Auctions

1953 Muntz Jet Convertible – sold for $66,000

According to the Muntz Registry, this car was originally finished in light pink with an off-white interior. It has long been believed that it was owned new by DeHaven, and previous research also included a letter from a Muntz employee who remembered delivering this car to her in New York, although RM does not currently have any conclusive evidence. Between 1960 and 1969, it is known to have resided in Encinitas, California, where it was kept in storage before going through a series of owners in San Diego and Las Vegas. The previous owner acquired the car in 1988 and oversaw its restoration before its acquisition by the O’Quinn Collection.