The Muntz Jet was a sports car that was manufactured between 1951 and 1954 by the Muntz Car Company in Glendale, California, and later in Evanston, Illinois. The company was established by Earl "Madman" Muntz, a well-known local used car dealer and electronics retailer, with the assistance of Frank Kurtis, who had earlier attempted to produce a sports car under the Kurtis Kraft marque.
The Muntz Jet was originally based on Kurtis' design, but Muntz extended the body to make it a 4-seater and replaced the Ford engine with a larger Cadillac V8, which was later replaced with a less expensive Lincoln side-valve V8. The car featured its own unique design with aluminum body panels and a removable fiberglass top that were manufactured in-house. Other parts were sourced from other manufacturers.
The Muntz Jet was capable of reaching a top speed of 112 mph, which was a significant achievement for a road car at the time. It was also featured on the cover of the September 1951 issue of Popular Science alongside a Jaguar and an MG.
Despite its unique design and impressive performance, the Muntz Car Company only managed to build and sell about 400 cars during its brief period of operation. The high manufacturing cost of the Muntz Jet meant that the company lost approximately $1,000 on each car it sold, which eventually led to the company's closure.
Today, Muntz Jets are considered rare and valuable collector pieces. Their unique design and historical significance have made them highly sought after by car enthusiasts and collectors alike.
