Madman Muntz

You know “Special Ed,” right? He’s the grumpy old fart that tells you like it is – leaving only his avatar as a calling card of sorts. And that oh-so recognizable avatar is an image of his gorgeously restored/customized 1953 Muntz Jet (pictured above). I think it was featured in Rodder’s Journal at one point and I had planned to feature it here as well and sent him a private message a couple of weeks ago to sort of set the feature up.

Ed didn’t decline my offer, but claimed his car was a little too modernized for us. Maybe it is, I dunno… But I don’t really care either simply because if one car from the past screams to be “over comforted,” it has to be the Muntz Jet.

See, the original idea of the Muntz Jet was actually formed by Frank Kurtis. He marketed and sold about thirty six cars in 1950, but never got the traction he needed to turn his design into a marque car company that could compete with what was coming out of Detroit. In 1951, Kurtis waved his white flag and sold his idea to Earl Muntz – a legendary used car dealer and television retailer. If nothing else, “Madman” Muntz was energetic… and he put all of that energy into making the Jet less of the uncompromising sports car that Kurtis envisioned and more of a sporty family coupe that appealed to a larger market. He extended the car to allow for a back seat, replaced the original Ford Flathead with an overhead Cad, added a refreshment bar to the backseat, etc…

Between 1951 and 1954, Muntz was able to manufacture (and sell) around 400 cars. However, due to high manufacturing costs Muntz estimated that he lost around $1000 on each car that he sold. Eventually, he grew tired of the losses… and the Muntz Jet was gone for good.

Anyway, that’s the short of it. Back to “Special Ed.” Rather than write about a car that I don’t know anymore than what I’ve already wrote, I’d like to send you to one of Ed’s Galleries. Check this out. Gorgeous, right? Now, take five minutes from your day and watch this clip that Ed sent me:

I’ve always thought the Jet was a gorgeous car, but now I have a new appreciation for Muntz as well… Thanks for that Ed.

…………..