1953 Muntz Jet Roadster

LMC is very proud to offer for sale this 1953 Muntz Jet Roadster.

From 1951 to 1954, Earl “Madman” Muntz, an eccentric and well known used car salesman, took a stab at producing his own brand of automobiles after buying the rights to Frank Kurtis’s “Kurtis Sport”. Muntz would change the cars from their sports car ways,  to a more luxury based, by stretching the wheelbase and adding a rear seat. All Muntz vehicles had the option of having vinyl snakeskin interior, keeping to Madman’s eccentric personality. These new luxury cars came with quite a price as well; even higher than the Cadillac 62 Convertible at the time. Even so, it was reported that Madman lost $1,000 on every Muntz Jet sold. Nearing the end of his automaking days in 1953, Muntz realized he needed to expand his options when buying a Jet, and decided to produce some cars using Kurtis’s original short wheel base, two passenger design. Only four of these roadsters were produced before the Muntz Car Company shut down in 1954.

With nearly 50 years of continuous documented ownership in the Muntz Registry, this Jet Roadster is one of the four that were produced with the short wheelbase two seater, making it extremely rare and collectible. This Jet has the very rare and unique factory optional vinyl snakeskin interior, and is powered by the Lincoln V8 with an automatic transmission, which was done to retain a sense of luxury. It underwent an extensive and complete restoration where the car was returned to its original dark blue finish.The “Boa” vinyl interior was professionally redone using new “old stock” materials. Some upgrades were installed to increase the drivability of this Muntz automobile that include; a new carburetor, a new exhaust system, and a stouter differential. The whole frame off restoration was photo documented in the Muntz Registry to show its concours quality workmanship. This Jet would go on to take Best in Class Awards at the Palm Beach Concours d’Elegance shortly after the restoration, and more recently, the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance.  It has also been on display at the prestigious Amelia Island concours.

All collectors know just how rare and collectible any Muntz automobile is, but when you take into account that this is one of just four Muntz Jet Roadsters that were produced in the short-wheelbase, two passenger design, this car becomes one of the most rare and collectible Muntz automobiles in the world.