1951 MUNTZ JET CONVERTIBLE #'S MATCHING 337 LINCOLN FLAT HEAD HOP UP KIT RARE!!!

1951 MUNTZ JET CONVERTIBLE Description

M185 is registered in the Muntz Jet Registry! Numbers Matching Lincoln 337c.i. flat head engine! M185 is featured in magazines! One of four factory "hop-up" kit! "This Muntz is one of approximately four that left the factory with the 'hop-up' kit, as it was called; it consisted of Edmunds aluminum cylinder heads and intake manifold and dual Carter WCD carburetors. Muntz 185 is the only one that we know of that left the factory with a Kaiser instrument panel (...Muntz serial number is on the back of the Kaiser instrument panel) instead of the standard Muntz cluster, the reason for which may forever remain a mystery. Muntz Madness - 1951 Muntz Jet Earl Muntz was a larger-than-life character. He got his start "flipping" Model T Fords when he was in the eighth grade and later went on to own the largest used-car dealership in the Los Angeles area. His over-the-top billboard ads screamed, "I buy 'em retail and sell 'em wholesale — it's more fun that way." He blanketed the airways with radio ads, and one announcer, in between his numerous commercials, called Muntz "that automotive madman." With that, "Madman" Muntz was born. From TV sets to Jets In late 1945, Muntz became a Kaiser-Frazer dealer. By 1947 he was reportedly grossing $72 million a year from all his automotive enterprises. It was about this time that he started marketing inexpensive television sets, and he coined the term "TV," as his skywriting airplanes had a problem completing the words "Muntz Television" before the first few letters blew away. He sold these TVs in his usual style, with radio ads that blared "...stop staring at your radio, folks." He even named his daughter "Tee Vee." An advertising campaign created by Mike Shore introduced Earl "Mad Man" Muntz, dressed up like Napoleon and shouting "I want to give them away, but Mrs. Muntz won't let me ... She's CRAAAZY! ... I buy 'em retail, sell 'em wholesale - It's more fun that way." Not surprisingly, over the years there were a total of seven Mrs. Muntzes. He bought two of Frank Kurtis's Ford-powered KSCs, which were open two-seater sports cars. Muntz planned to resell them, but he liked them so well that, not unlike the guy who bought the electric razor company, he bought the entire company for $200,000 cash. Once he owned the project, Muntz stretched the cars' wheelbase to 113 inches so he could sell them as four-place convertibles. He added a minibar with ice compartments in the rear armrests along with a Muntz radio. He also added seat belts — not as a safety concern, but rather to continue the jet aircraft "Muntz Jet" theme. The removable Carson-like top was held in place with five wing nuts and it took two men and a small boy to remove it. Jets were first offered with unmodified 1949 Cadillac V8s, but due to cost and problems with the powerplants at high RPM, he switched to Lincoln flatheads. He also switched to an all-steel body, which was less expensive — as well as sturdier — than the aluminum Kurtis was using. Low production Muntz did not have a dealer network, as he sold directly to the public. The cars were priced at $5,500, yet he claimed he lost $1,000 on every car sold, which due to the labor-intensive manufacturing process was probably correct. Muntz claimed he sold 394 cars. Others, tracking the body numbers, cite 198 as more realistic. The styling, which was modern when Muntz bought the company in 1949, was less so in 1953. Also, these cars were priced at $1,400 above a top-of-the-line Cadillac, so sales were never going to be brisk. "Madman" Muntz's flamboyant style created his success but also led to his demise. After all, not many people wanted a car named after someone as zany as Muntz. Even Phyllis Diller could only last a year with the seven-times married and divorced man, claiming they were too far apart in their tastes and values. With an unerring eye for exposure, he made sure the Muntz Jets were visible, choosing bright paint hues and flashy contrasting interiors under removable Carson-style padded hard tops. The cars were costly, but could be ordered in many hues, including Mars Red, Lime Mist, Stratosphere Blue with one car custom ordered in bright chartreuse with mahogany planks affixed to the rear deck, like a yacht. Purchasers could order upholstery of alligator, emu, leopard, or snake skin. Wire recorders (this was before tape recorders had been invented) and radio-telephones were also available at extra cost. In the back seat armrests, you could have a cocktail bar built in! Cocktail bars aside, the cars were seriously fast performers with 0-50 mph attainable in about 6 seconds, and with a Hydramatic automatic transmission, no less. Top speed was as much as 125 mph, significantly faster than many cars then on the road. Options for speed merchants included ¾ race cams, extra carburetion and other speed equipment. Muntz also added standard seat belts, padded dashboard and ice chest, plus began having the Jets painted in pinks, yellows and purples to garner additional attention. After all, the purpose of these flamboyant cars for the buyers was to be noticed, and most of the cars were sold in Hollywood new. Needless to say, with the performance, looks and panache of the Muntz Jet, not to mention rarity, there is still a following for the cars and they are considered to be highly collectible Offered here is what must be one of the best-restored Muntz Jet convertibles available anywhere. The car received a full nut-and-bolt restoration and was featured in Hemmings Motor News June of 2007! Restored in "Lime Gold Metalic Green" With original Alligator style interior! These cars are extremely collectible and very rarely due they ever come up for sale. Call 314-594-1404 to purchase this car or with any questions. TRADES ECCEPTED 314-594-1404