Muntz Car Company
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Founder(s) | Earl Muntz |
| Defunct | 1954 |
| Headquarters | Glendale, California, USA |
| Area served | United States |
| Key people |
Earl Muntz, Founder Frank Kurtis, Designer |
| Products | Performance vehicles |
The Muntz Car Company was created in Glendale, California by Earl "Madman" Muntz, a well known local used car dealer and electronics retailer. It was in existence from 1950 to 1954.[1] Muntz was assisted by Frank Kurtis, who had earlier attempted to produce a sports car under the Kurtis Kraft marque (the Kurtis Kraft Sport, which sold just 36 units by 1950).[2]
In 1951, Kurtis sold the license to manufacture the cars to Muntz, who quickly rebadged them as the "Muntz Jet", extended the body to make it a 4-seater, and exchanged the Ford engine with a larger Cadillac V8. Later, this engine would be replaced with a less expensive Lincoln side-valve V8.[3][3]
The car, a sports coupe, was manufactured in Chicago, IL in the 2900 block of N. Sheffield Av. and featured its own unique design, with aluminum body panels and a removable fiberglass top that were manufactured in-house.[3] Other parts (such as the engines) were sourced from other manufacturers. It was capable of 112 mph,[3] a significant achievement for a road car at the time. It was featured on the cover of the September 1951 issue of Popular Science (with a Jaguar and an MG).
The company managed to produce only about 400 cars during 1951-1954, and due to the high manufacturing cost, Muntz himself estimated that his company lost about $1,000 on each car; this financial drain eventually caused him to close the company.[3]
Because the cars were distinctive in design, well-built and good performers for their time, Muntz Jets today are rare and valuable collector pieces.[3]
References
- ↑ Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p.1016.
- ↑ Hitze, Ed (1993). The Kurtis-Kraft Story (Paperback). Interstate Printers. ASIN B0015MFQZG.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 David Lillywhite, ed. (2003). The Encyclopedia of Classic Cars (Hardcover ed.). Thunder Bay Press. ISBN 978-1-57145-990-9.
External links
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