Art & Inspiration Muntz Jet search

Let me ask you two guys an OT question. Since you both are in the socal area, connected deeply to the car scene, do you know much about Jenson Ford's? I've read what's on line and looked at all the pics I can find on the cars. Here's why I ask. I acquired my cabrio body from my nephew. He bought it off ebay from the San Diego area. I talked with the guy He bought it from. He in turn gave me the name of a fellow named "Marky" that He bought it from. I talked with Marky (shifters car club) and he told me it came from a collection in or around LA. A man there had some kind of troubles and had to sell off some stuff. End of genealogy for the moment. I had a guy call me about my car when he saw the build thread. He brought up the Jenson connection since He has a roadster sectioned the same way as my cabrio. I stick a pic of the body as I received it. Not too big of a stretch of the imagination to see that it was headed to "special" style, sports car look or a poor man's Jenson Ford. Any thoughts from you two scholars? Tim

 

Vetteson - We have two in our shop in Phoenix; the aluminum bodied Muntz mentioned earlier in this thread and a later steel bodied project car (good project). The car that came from Northern AZ pictured above belongs to a friend of ours here in town. You probably won't find a better unrestored Muntz than his. It's complete, solid, and running and driving (original Lincoln engine). He is in it more than the asking price.
Our aluminum bodied car priced at $60k unfinished is a stalled restoration that we are hoping to resume soon. The complete drive-train is done (Original Cadillac dual-four powered), all chassis components are powder-coated, 90% of the body work is done, etc. It's a great car, but we are really hoping to finish it before selling.
Our steel bodied Muntz isn't really advertised for sale. Our plan was to have a little fun and street rod it using one of our Hemis after the aluminum bodied car was finished and sold. It needs everything, but is a good car to start with.

 

Here's what I know about Jensen: Edsel Ford directed the design and construction of three speedsters: a '32, a '34, and a '35. This is the third one, the least well-known, and has been lost for decades:

Apparently Henry refused to consider building a car like this, so Edsel took it around looking for a subcontractor to produce them, in both the US and England. He never made a deal with anyone, but the Jensen-Ford is believed to have been inspired by this '35 speedster. Here's the Jensen:

I would guess that your body might also have been inspired by Edsel's '35, or by the Jensen itself, but I doubt that there was any actual connection between FoMoCo and your car.

 

I figure mine was done by some unknown shop at the time like Valley Customs (cringe--and I cut it some more). I saw a pic of Valley Customs on the thread "vintage shots" with a 33-34 three window sittin in front of it that had been sectioned similar to mine, ie; belt line removed. Thanks for replying and my apologies to vetteson for hijacking his thread.

 

I've sent you a PM with some info.

 

Their is a local man that has 3 Muntz. He has a Linc, Cad, and Hemi powered. I gave him a Muntz 4 Track player to install in one of them.

 

Did you ever find a Muntz? My other half just got a Muntz and I am trying to find some Cadillac Sombrero hubcaps for the car. Also the Muntz is missing some of the letters from "Muntz" and "Jet" emblems. Any ideas on where to find these missing letters or hubcaps would be appreciated.

 

Solid foundation for a restoration.Like that huge wrap around back bumper!

 

Very cool.
For parts, you'll need to put Fall Hershey on your list. You could try looking/advertising in Hemming's. There are are also some general forums and parts wanted listings on the AACA website. Good luck.

 

"Did you ever find a Muntz? My other half just got a Muntz and I am trying to find some Cadillac Sombrero hubcaps for the car. Also the Muntz is missing some of the letters from "Muntz" and "Jet" emblems. Any ideas on where to find these missing letters or hubcaps would be appreciated"

Yes, I bought a '51 from Copperstate restorations in Arizona, their "third" Muntz. What year is yours and is it in the Registry? Finding Muntz-specific parts will be a challenge, I have only found a few tail light lenses (NOS). My car was missing a lot of parts and I will have to have many fabricated. If you don't have one you should try and get a copy of the Registry (Victor Munson ~ Contact Info in Hemmings), lots of information on parts sourced by Muntz but not all correct.