Beschreibung
Earl ‘Madman' Muntz produced one of the most iconic cars in American history.
His Muntz Jet was the fastest production car in the US in the early 50s. Muntz built only
198 cars total before he closed down automotive operations in 1954.
After building the first 27 Jets in Los Angeles in 1950, Muntz then moved production to
Evanston, IL for the duration of his car business which ended in 1954.
There were several unique things about the first 27 cars made in LA. First, the cars were
all the original length. Muntz extended the cars by 3” after the move to Illinois, making the
cars a little less sporty and agile in appearance.
Most remarkably, the fenders and quarter panels of the 27 SoCal Muntz Jets were made of
aluminum…everything else was steel. That gave way to full steel-bodied cars with the move
to Illinois. The unusual ‘unibody' construction remained the same.
The height of the uniquely-angled chromed steel windshield frame was 2 inches shorter than
the later Illinois cars, giving the cars a racier appearance.
The other change that occurred with the move to Evanston - which we feel was a poor decision -
was to reconfigure the front bumper and cross members in the grille systems of the cars. Look at
the difference in the photo spread for this ad. At the end of the photos, you'll see two finished,
fully-restored Muntz jets - a red one from the 1950 LA production run of the first 27 cars built
and a 1952 model from the Illinois plant in a light ‘Aztec Gold' color.
We don't know who owns the red one but the gold Muntz Is one that I restored ten years ago.
It was a rusty mess when I started on it. Three years later, you see the result. The floors the
entire rockers…everything was rusted away. A lot of hard work, skill and money brought it back.
However, the point of the two cars is for you to compare the front bumper and grilles of the red 1950 and the gold 1952. Study the photos at the end of the photo in this ad and you will see the substantial difference. I personally prefer the 1950 front end... which is what is for sale here with #14.
The 1950 run of 27 also featured the awesome 331 Cadillac OHV engine. Car 14 has its
original Cadillac 331 engine and the extremely strong hydromatic transmission. In fact, the
transmissions were also used by the US army in tanks! Both Car 14's Cadillac engine
and its original, matching hydromatic transmission are being completely rebuilt right now. I have
Included a couple photos of what the engine will look like in a few weeks time.
In 1951, Muntz had to switch to a Lincoln 317 as GM didn't want to sell him any more engines.
For some strange reason my gold 1952 Muntz came with a 331 Cadillac engine. Perhaps Earl had
some extra Caddy engines and went ahead and put them in some of the 1952 cars.
The bottom line for collectors seems to be that the 1950 first 27 cars with the aluminum fenders
and quarters are the most desirable of all the Muntz Jets. 198 total were built and there are
said to be about 50 remaining.
This is how Muntz Jet #14 was saved…and now I am offering it to someone to finish it properly.
Here is where the ad photos begin...
First photo shows #14 after it has been completely sand-blasted, TWICE. It was clear the car has never been hit and had no detectable bondo to be found after the sandblasting. I then had a MASTER metal fabricator go to work.
The next photos show #14 after blasting and, as you easily see, the entire floor area…including
the toe boards, the floor pans and inner rockers are all gone. Oddly enough, the outer rockers, were
perfectly fine, so we left them. They were treated twice with POR 15 and then the inner rockers
were sized and fitted. I did not use 18 ga steel. The inner rockers were fabricated with 14 ga steel.
In other words, the rockers are better and stronger than when new.
Then came the floors. First, I had multiple floor pan braces fabricated and welded to the frame. It
amazed me that such an expensive car would be made without chassis framing to better support
the floor. #14 now has, perhaps, the strongest floor of all the Muntz Jets remaining.
Then the floor pans were measured cut and prepared for installation. Again, I used 14 ga steel, not 18 ga,
and when they were laid and welded to the braces below them, suddenly #14 was 2-3 times stronger
than new. #14 is now a rock solid road machine. I did the same thing to my gold 1952 and the car drove
like power racer. No rattles and the feeling of total strength. As the weeks rolled past, #14 was given
the best of design and fabrication strengthening possible.
Next came brand new full front toe boards also made with 14 ga steel. Because the car is of ‘unibody'
construction, the added strength of the 14 ga steel and the exquisite craftsmanship of the welding makes #14
arguably, already one of the best, strongest Muntz Jets off all.
We then had the brand new tunnel fabricated. Because of the curves and angles, I used 16ga steel to make
certain the tunnel ‘flowed' properly following the original design. You can easily see the extraordinary quality
of the work... it is perfect metal-working.
Those familiar with Muntz Jets will know there was a weakness at the top of all the aluminum AND steel quarter panels
at the top where it rolls into the rear window. This was addressed with a very thick aluminum reinforcement
patch welded to the top roll of the quarter panel. There will never be a worry about having a problem with #14.
The photos show all the new steel that has gone into the car. The big work - the hard work - is all finished and #14 is firmly
on the way back. I left the original steering column is so the car can be moved around much easier. The removable top
is in superb condition and was also blasted twice.
Next step was to have the entire car epoxied…every nook and cranny... top, bottom, inside, outside, it was all sprayed.
After the spraying was complete, the epoxy was baked on properly. #14 is now thoroughly rust free and protected
by the epoxy.
The fenders and quarters and hood and trunk lid and roof frame were then wired into place so you can get a better idea
of where the project is now. Next up is the body work…and then block sanding…and more smoothing and shaping and
sanding. Restoration professionals know the drill all too well. Then come painting, electrical, and all the other details that are
common with a highest quality restoration.
As I mentioned earlier, the terrific Cadillac 331 OHV is about halfway through being entirely rebuilt. It has been completely
Disassembled, hot-tanked, and is being brought back to life by the same people who did the 331 Caddy in my 1952 Gold Muntz.
See photo at the end of the photos in this ad. I have also included a couple of photos of how the 331 Caddy will look when completed.
The big hydromatic is being similarly completely rebuilt. I had given some brief thought to putting in a 700R but decided to stay all
original for obvious reasons.
Now, what about all the chrome? ALL of the original chrome has already been triple-plated and is ready to be put
back on the car. No hassle, no worries. Even the beautiful windshield frame…all re-chromed and wrapped and waiting.
See photos.
Virtually all parts on the Jets are either Ford or GM and usually available through Dennis Carpenter (Ford) for example.
Having done one Muntz Jet, I have decided to let someone finish #14 in the paint and upholstery and wheels, etc
that they want. If I finish it, I might paint it the ‘wrong color' or put in the ‘wrong' upholstery. Many of you know how that
goes. Why am I handing #14 off? I have found a 1950 Ford Woodie that has great sentimental value and memories for me.
It was not an easy decision.
Car 14 is now ready for finishing. It has come back from a near certain demise and will be one of the finest Muntz
Jets in the world. No question. Here is a link to the 1952 I restored - details above
Take a look and you'll have a good idea of the opportunity at hand. All the HARD work on Car 14 has now been finished…
it's downhill to the finish line from here on out. Restoration professionals can 'see' exactly what this car can look like.
Be sure to see the final severel photos in the picture section.
.. Asking $77, 500
.. e-Mail or Call for 33 Photos
.. Call Rod: the details below-2363
.. Mobile Phone: the details below-5521 USA
