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Earl 'Madman' Muntz was an extremely successful used car salesman in California. The Jet was Muntz's answer to the sports cars that were coming onto the scene in the early 1950s-cars like the Kaiser Darrin, the Hudson Italia, the Chevrolet Corvette and the Nash Healey, Muntz met with famous race car builder Frank Kurtis and purchased the rights to produce a Kurtis road car. Muntz stretched the chassis and created a 4-seat sports car. This car is a custom version built by Joe Bailon for bandleader Freddy Martin. Many body modifications were made, changing nearly every panel, and a new Corvette V8 engine was installed. The changes, which were completed in 1955, make this particular Muntz Jet unique.
Indy car builder Frank Kurtis produced 36 sports cars in 1949. Earl 'Madman' Muntz, of TV fame, bought the tooling and manufacturing rights from Kurtis and began producing Muntz cars. Costing more than $5,500, fewer than 300 were produced. All were convertibles with removable 'Carson' tops. Band leader Freddy Martin bought this Muntz in 1952. The flathead Lincoln V8 took it to 60 mph in under nine seconds, apparently not quickly enough for Martin, who commissioned Joe Bailon to restyle the car and install a V8 engine. He retained the maroon vinyl interior. The current owners bought the car in 2004 after it had been in inhospitable storage for 40 years. Joe Bailon vividly recalled the car and was instrumental in its authentic restoration.
In 2009, this Muntz Jet Convertible was offered for sale by Bonhams Auction at the Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel, CA. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $175,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $117,000 inclusive of Buyer's Premium.
Indy car builder Frank Kurtis produced 36 sports cars in 1949. Earl 'Madman' Muntz, of TV fame, bought the tooling and manufacturing rights from Kurtis and began producing Muntz cars. Costing more than $5,500, fewer than 300 were produced. All were convertibles with removable 'Carson' tops. Band leader Freddy Martin bought this Muntz in 1952. The flathead Lincoln V8 took it to 60 mph in under nine seconds, apparently not quickly enough for Martin, who commissioned Joe Bailon to restyle the car and install a V8 engine. He retained the maroon vinyl interior. The current owners bought the car in 2004 after it had been in inhospitable storage for 40 years. Joe Bailon vividly recalled the car and was instrumental in its authentic restoration.
In 2009, this Muntz Jet Convertible was offered for sale by Bonhams Auction at the Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel, CA. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $175,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $117,000 inclusive of Buyer's Premium.
2009 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club
Sale Price :
USD $117,000
1952 Muntz Jet Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Muntz Jet
(Data based on Model Year 1952 sales)
1952 Muntz Jet Chassis#: M146 Sold for USD$137,200 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Enthusiast Auction | |
1952 Muntz Jet Chassis#: 52M247 Sold for USD$69,300 2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, Fall | |
1952 Muntz Jet Chassis#: 52M230 Sold for USD$117,600 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1952 Muntz Jet Convertible Chassis#: 52M195 Sold for USD$35,750 2019 Mecum : Monterey | |
1952 MUNTZ JET CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: M134 Sold for USD$165,000 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1952 Muntz Jet Convertible Chassis#: 5ZM232 Sold for USD$82,500 2010 RM Auctions - Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook | |
1952 Muntz Jet Convertible Chassis#: 52M–246 Sold for USD$117,000 2009 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club | |
1952 Muntz Jet Period Custom Chassis#: 52M246 Sold for USD$134,750 2007 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona | |
1952 Muntz Road Jet Convertible Sold for USD$68,900 2003 The Florida Collector Car Auction | |
1952 MUNTZ JET CONVERTIBLE Sold for USD$57,200 2001 Barrett-Jackson - Petersen Museum 2001 |
Muntz Jets That Failed To Sell At Auction
1952 Muntz Jet's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1952 Muntz Jet Convertible | 2010 Mecum Kissimee Auction | $70,000 | |||
1952 Muntz Jet | 52M232 | 2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey | $85,000 | $120,000 | $160,000 |
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