Earl “Mad Man” Muntz was a one-of-a-kind individual. Alternately described as an authentic genius or an eccentric wacko, his mind never stopped working and he turned his thoughts and attention to an incredibly diverse range of ideas and product. It was probably an inevitability that his focus turned to cars in the car-hungry America post World War II. This Muntz Jet is a product of his fertile mind and is offered for sale here on eBay. Located in Fenton, Missouri, it is offered for sale with a clear title. The seller has set an eye-watering BIN price of $169,895 but there is the option to make an offer.
Muntz always claimed that he sold 394 Jets, but history has shown that the number was somewhere closer to 198. This was mostly explained by the price when new. At $5,500 the Jet was priced some 25% more expensive than the top-of-the-line Cadillac of the day. However, the cars offered an air of exclusivity and a level of performance that was unmatched at that time in America. This Muntz has undergone a total restoration, and the appearance is nothing short of stunning. It is finished in its original “Lime Gold Metallic Green” paintwork, which appears to be flawless. The chrome and external trim also appear to be perfect. I have to say that the car is just strikingly attractive.
While the exterior of the Jet was attractive, occupants didn’t want for variety or creature comforts. Options available included minibars with ice compartments in the rear armrests, wire recorders, and even a radio-telephone. The interior of this Jet has been restored in its original Alligator style interior trim. The workmanship is first rate, and it is really hard to find any fault in the restoration.
This car is chassis number M185. It features that wonderful Napoleon-like caricature which became synonymous with Muntz sitting right in the center of the steering wheel. For those who are aficionados of the Muntz Jet, you may recognize that the instrument panel is actually a Kaiser product rather than the standard Muntz cluster. Nobody knows why this is the case, but this cluster actually has the Muntz serial number on the back so it is correct for this car.
Under the hood is where things really get interesting for this particular Jet. Muntz offered an option called the “Hop-Up Kit” which was only ever fitted to four cars. This included alloy cylinder heads, alloy inlet manifold, and dual Carter WCD carburetors. The standard Jet was capable of performance that would be considered impressive, even by today’s standards. The car (in standard form) could accelerate from 0-50mph in around 6 seconds and be capable of a top speed of around 120mph. No figures have ever been produced for a car fitted with the Hop-Up Kit due to their rarity. This particular Jet is fitted with the Hydramatic Transmission.
This Muntz Jet is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. It is rare, it is unusual, and it offers quite startling performance when compared with the comparative cars of the era. It is also the product of a company and the fertile imagination of a character that we will almost certainly never see again. This is an extraordinarily collectible car today, and I believe that its desirability will only increase with time. What a shame that “Mad Man” isn’t about to witness his belief in the Jet vindicated.
So which is the better investment, a 2018 Audio A8, which apparently lists for just as much with a few options, or this?
It depends on how long you keep it. The Audi will depreciate from day one for at least 20 years; the Muntz probably bottomed out in the ’70s and has been gaining ever since.
For anyone thinking of “investing” in a Muntz for long term appreciation, I can find some alternate investments just as “practical” like livestock futures or some medical cures for cancer in the earliest stages of development. You buy a classic car because you like it, can afford it, and plan to keep it a long, long, time…unless you think of yourself as an auto dealer.Just be sure your wife agrees to that auto dealer thing or you’ll be looking for a new wife, too.
His mind has stopped working now.
Zero bids.
I saw one in 1968, owned by a buddy’s uncle. At that time he paid something like 3K. One thing I do remember was the engine was polished AND chromed! Completely! One of the things that got me into cars.
That car is badass! I love it!
I don’t like the look of the bumpers, everything else looks great.
It is beautiful in it’s excess. Perfect example of post war American optimism.
Wow, Way overpriced I would say. Never was very fond of the car’s design. One thing I do remember about Mad Man Muntz were his super big (at that time) TV sets. Back then a 16 inch black and white was considered huge. But then, the bigger the screen was the worse the picture was. With today’s huge digital screens, the picture remains high quality top to bottom, all screen sizes. Someone will have to be a very big Muntz enthusiast to pay this asking price.
My dad knew old Mad Man. He took me to his store one time, if I remember correctly.
I would love to cruise this. Just open the hood and watch all the mouths drop open.
Just Wow. Amazing car and resto. Price might be excessive, but this baby belongs in a museum. Ford Flatmotor and Hydromatic. He may have been a madman but this Car is way ahead of its time.
Good luck to the new owner, Deserves a good home.
This car a true work of ART !
Wasn’t Mad Man Muntz the guy who brought us the 8-track?
The Four-Track, Bill. I used to install them, albeit not at a Muntz store, back in the 1960s. The first Muntz Stereo-Pak I ever saw was in a ’61 Pontiac Catalina coupe, parked at Santa Monica Beach. I think that was around 1962. The car had all its windows rolled down, the sounds turned up and the car was left on its own. I always wondered if it was done so, on purpose?
The Jet started life as one of Frank Kurtis’ creations: https://www.motortrend.com/news/1949-kurtis-sport-car-drive/
Beatnik Bedouin correctly credits the true creator of this car. Years before it was a rebadged “Muntz”, this design was a Kurtis. Credit where credit is due. Also, Harley Earl and GM appropriated their design for the 1953 Corvette from the Kurtis. The lines speak for themselves. The 1949 Kurtis was obviously a major influence on the first Corvette. In 2018, Kurtis and/or Muntz would have sued GM for design patent infringement…and won.
The 8-Track tape player was pretty much invented by Bill Lear, of Lear Jet, and helped along by Ford Motor Co, Ampex and General Motors Corp.
Does anyone remember why cars of that era had eyebrows?
A styling fad like tail fins.
My late mom was an on-the-air personality in the early 1950’s on WBAL-TV in Baltimore. One of the commercials she did while there was as “Margie Muntz” promoting the Muntz Jet on TV. She and my dad used to discuss that commercial from time to time.
There’s a lot to be desired in this “first rate” resto…..such as fit and finish, just sayin’.
Love the car, though.
In all my 72 years I have never seen a Muntz automobile, a Muntz TV yes; but never the car. Pretty wild.
Beautiful car.(mostly)
I would’ve gone with a more subdued bumper treatment.
I’m guessing his inspiration was this babe here:
http://bestcarmag.com/gallery/1946-alfa-romeo-6c/page/17
Alfa did it better.
Calling Jay Leno….Calling Jay Leno….I can’t buy it Jay so this looks like a good candidate for your collection!
Yes – And you would think that with the Hollywood connection Leno would be eager to take to his garage.
What makes you think Leno doesn’t already have one.
Holy moly this is a rare car. And in unbelievable condition too. Is it worth the price? With zero comps for a Muntz with the hop-up kit there’s no way to know.
I don’t blame the seller one iota for throwing a big number at it, but I doubt eBay is going to be the best venue for a unicorn like this one.
I was told maybe 35-40 years ago in an electronics class that Muntz was responsible for the wide prong on polarized electrical plug.
Back in the 1970s a Muntz sat behind a gas station/shop in a little town of Cohocton, NY about 90 minutes south of Rochester. I used to see it going back and forth to Corning from Geneseo. Was always going to stop and check it out but it disappeared and I knew I didn’t have the $$ to buy it anyway. Like so many other finds I spotted over the years always wondered what happened to it.
Today we have “Mad Man Musk”…
“Mad Man Musk” :D :D
*hits joint* “Chill bro…you’ll get your Model X”
The extraordinary Muntz cars have a noticeable similarity to Citröen DS, or rather viceversa.
Adam, Thanks for writing this one up.
I had heard of the Muntz Jet before, but never really knew much about them. Now I do.
Just thinking about what cars looked like in 1951, this must have been something completely different.
It must have taken Muntz and Muntz to build this car!!!! Maybe even Years !!
Sorry, couldn’t resist !!
An acquaintance of mine owns one in the Chicago area, just as stunning as this one, perfect! Yet, he admits it is not that much of pleasure to drive long distances.
Why do I expect to see the Cat In The Hat cruising through Whoville in this car?