Vehicle Description
From age 14, Frank Kurtis immersed himself in the thriving
California car culture. His long and storied career began with an
apprenticeship at Don Lee Coachbuilders in Los Angeles. There, he
developed his talent for fabrication and car building and began
working on the side for private individuals and racers. After
setting out on his own, he built a successful business fabricating
Midgets, Sprints, and Indy race cars. His Kurtis-Kraft cars became
the pick of the field from local dirt bullrings to the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, and between racing car orders, he often created
Hollywood movie cars and one-off specials. In 1948, a special
commission for a one-off roadster based on a wrecked '41 Buick
inspired Kurtis to design a production sports car. Frank designed
the body and chassis and made a deal with Studebaker to supply
suspension components and their upcoming OHV V8 engine. The plan
called for a reworked Champion frame, with Kurtis handling design
and construction and Studebaker handling sales through their vast
dealer network. Unfortunately, production delays with the
Studebaker V8 killed the deal, and Kurtis turned to Ford to supply
flathead V8 engines. The slick and stylish body had elements of
Kurtis' one-off 41 Buick special and was constructed from
fiberglass, steel, and aluminum. It was a handsome and capable car,
but Frank Kurtis soon lost interest in the project, and he sold the
rights to the design after only 15 Kurtis Sports were built. The
man who bought the design was Earl "Madman" Muntz of Southern
California. The original showman of the used car business, Muntz
pioneered outlandish television ads and fostered his "Madman"
persona through a series of zany TV spots and catchy advertising
slogans. The Madman schtick was a good act, and his dealerships
grew into tourist attractions! Goofball persona aside, Muntz was an
astute businessman and talented engineer who later found
considerable success designing and selling consumer car stereos and
televisions. Muntz was known to do just about anything for
self-promotion, so a flamboyant sports car with his name on the
trunk was just the ticket to drive even more traffic into his
showrooms. To create the Muntz Jet from the Kurtis Sports, Frank
Kurtis stretched the chassis by 13 inches to accommodate a pair of
rear seats. Cadillac's new 331 cubic-inch OHV V8 powered most of
the cars, though a few had Lincoln flathead or overhead valve V8s.
Softer and more luxurious than the Kurtis Sports, the Muntz Jet
boasted semi-unitary construction, removable hardtop, bucket seats
with console storage, a padded dash, and an available liquor
cabinet and ice chest in the rear. It was one of the quickest
American cars of its day and a fascinating precursor to the
Thunderbird and Corvette. Unfortunately, the list price of $5,500
in 1952 was enough to dampen enthusiasm, and Muntz ceased
production after just 198 Jets rolled off the line. In one last bit
of drama, Mutz claimed he lost as much as $1,000 per unit over a
run of 394 vehicles, though marque historians estimate the
production total closer to be just shy of 200. This 1952 Muntz Jet
is one of 198 built and is offered after nearly 40 years in the
hands of one enthusiastic owner. It is one of a handful of
survivors powered by the big Ford/Lincoln 337 cubic-inch flathead
V8. Finished in sky blue over a dark blue interior, this complete
and highly original Muntz is an unrestored, running, driving
example suitable for restoration or refurbishing and enjoying
as-is. The paintwork is consistent but fair and displays a heavy
patina, with a few areas of minor corrosion noted in the lower
extremities of the body. The chrome is serviceable for a
driver-quality refurbishment, and it is also well-suited to a
straightforward restoration. This car's interior presents in good
overall condition, with tidy dark blue upholstery dark blue
carpets. The padded dash and pleated door cards are likewise in
good order and perfectly presentable as-is. Some details display a
heavier patina, including the instrument panel with its array of
period-correct Stewart Warner dials, as well as the unique
console-mounted radio. There's some pitting of the original
three-spoke steering wheel, which still wears the distinctive
caricature of Madman Muntz at the center. A 337 cubic-inch Lincoln
flathead V8 sits under the hood. Officially rated for 152
horsepower, the flathead makes an impressive 265 ft-lbs of torque
at just 2000 rpm. Paired with a Hydramatic transmission, it has
plenty of grunt to waft the Muntz Jet along with ease. The engine
bay is orderly and complete, and it runs and drives respectably
well. Overall, this Jet is an ideal starting point for a
straightforward refurbishment, a more extensive restoration, or to
build into a distinctive and delightfully off-piste car of your
dreams for tours and driving events. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6898-1952-muntz-jet/
