I Must Be Missing Something…

Editor

Hey, I’m always in favor of unredeemable hulks being rescued from the crusher and lovingly restored to better than new. But I have to admit that some rides are a bit of a stretch, even for me. Like this Muntz Jet, whose auction ended recently on eBay. I realize it’s one of only 49 known to exist, and that’s a really neat flathead under all that rust, but seriously: nine THOUSAND dollars? Look at it: it’s a sad, rotted mess. There’s rust-through everywhere, and the driver’s side panels don’t even fit together anymore. Sure, there’s some gnarly crash damage in the rear quarter on that side, but I’m more concerned by the subtly ominous body sag that suggests that the frame has rusted in two. The seller assures that it’s "PRIMED TO BE RESTORED AS A MUSEUM SHOW PIECE." Really? I wonder how long it took them to get it "primed" for that. It looks more like it’s primed to be resotred as a boat anchor.

I guess if it was one of the remaining Tuckers, I’d almost understand, but I still wouldn’t bid. And I am in favor of this Muntz being saved—I just can’t believe the amount of money people are competing against each other to pay for it. How about you? Is there any car for which you’d shell out this kind of coin, in this condition?

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Posted at 12:35 am in Basketcase, eBay, Jen Dunnaway, Muntz

Comments

Ed
Aug 10, 2008 at 1:22 am

Yes, you are missing something! The Muntz Jet is a milestone car. Actually a crossroads car. This one is a numbers matching original with aluminum cowls in place both front and back. The carson top can be replaced. The frame is a unique but flawed unibody with a ford front and rear rail and unibody in the middle like the early Camaros. The car is the first American “pony” car and “muscle car”. A new frame can be made and sheet metal easy to fabricate. The 337 cui flathead gave it plenty of torque and it drove the car to 109 mph-the fastest American production car of its time! It had many hot rod touches as Frank Kurtis the designer has the credentials of a hot rodder and Indy car designer.
The interior is there so patterns can be made and with a little soap and water it may come back. I’ve seen the engine turned dash with instruments sell for nearly a thousand on ebay and the steering wheel with original Muntz logo is worth hundreds. The engine and hydramatic transmission come from a 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan. Many of the other parts are off the shelf 1950 Ford parts. The bumpers are unattainable and really mark the Muntz as distinct. Well bought for the sum. If a person who can do their own work bought this vehicle and has deep pockets it will be restored to it’s true beauty. Finally, it influenced the makers of the Corvette ( esp. years ’56-58) and Ford used the color palatte among other design influences for the TBird.
Also no other car company CEO can match the dynamic entrepreneurship of Earl Madman Muntz, he was really Crazy…..

Chad
Jul 30, 2008 at 8:01 pm

I might pay that much for a Tucker.

Evan
Jul 30, 2008 at 2:25 pm

That’s a sweet resto job and it would take many many hours to get it there but, $9000 wow, did that guy do well. I love the picture of the weeds growing in the interior…

Sure would be fun to restore.

Highspeedhijinks
Jul 30, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Rare but not desirable… not 9 grand desirable anyways

7urtle
Jul 30, 2008 at 3:32 am

not gona happen. if you ppl are like my father yall hate me cuz id chop,channel and slam this car and a tucker. that thing just aint worth $1000

Gary Faules
Jul 30, 2008 at 3:19 am

One man’s trash is another mans treasure.

Stewart
Jul 30, 2008 at 2:39 am

R.I.P. (rust in peace) you poor car…

hoodie in teh south
Jul 30, 2008 at 1:51 am

I MUST BE CRAZY! MY WIFE SAYS I’M CRAZY!

And so on – you had to be there to understand the impact that Mad Man Muntz had on the public. He eventually manufactured automobiles that were deemed very desirable by the Hollywood elite. Much cachet came with them. And bumpers, apparently cut down from Greyhound bus bumpers.

I’m surprised it didn’t fetch more.

GTwildfire
Jul 30, 2008 at 1:50 am

Wasn’t Miss Belvedere primed for restoration too?
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MWHAHAHAHAaaaaaahhhh!

Anonymous
Jul 30, 2008 at 1:25 am

I am getting to be softer with opinions and rides..but I would pay for a rare boxer drivetrain automobile. Maybe a goliath. Alfa romeo, even a 3 main sube..for real.Vw has a world record in commonality, no pursuit there for that kind of cash.. Citroen is uhm “french”, hondas motorcycle has the little boxer, not worth 9k however..Airplane boxers , well they belong in the sky. No car shows for those.I saw a photo of a goliath once. Fire engine red. The alfa romeo really got my sattention, curvy, plain black, chrome, and built bigger. Either one of those for 9k needing alot…Many things still champion today.