The photos Rik posted were taken in June 1998 at Joes home. The comments on build quality are interesting. Having worked on custom or a more accepted term coach built prestige cars from the 30's to the 50's, from around the world. It is interesting what you find when these vehicles are torn down for restoration. The turms rough and scarry have been used many times. But they survived decades of use and abuse, before someone undertook their restoration. We judge so much now on the levels of fit and finish seen on elite level show quality builds. But quickly forget how far we have come in say the last twenty or thirty years. Award winning Rods and Customs from back then, would be viewed as really nice drivers today. After looking at the restored photos, no one has commented on the colour difference beteen the Bonnet/hood and the front guards/fenders. Is it different or am I just being picky as well I think we should be grateful this truly individual piece of custom car history has survived, and been restored so so many more people can see and appreciate it.
That exact car was stored in a barn about 20 miles from my house. I found out about it from a local mechanic who had the chance to buy it in the un-restored condition for 10 grand & passed on it.By the time he told me about it, it was gone. I remind him every so often that he really screwed up by not buying it.It use to belong to an old guy who ran a wrecking yard out by the salem air port.He & the yard are long gone now.
Actually lolife did make a comment about the non matching paint: ... and I commented about the poor fit of the rear bumper also being an example of poor workmanship done in 2008 (by F40 Motorsports) vice poor craftsmanship of the 1950's (Bailon Customs). Oh ... and I totally agree with your last sentence!
Sorry guys, it just dont do anything for me. It has some nice details, and the interior is awesome, but there's no flow. The ass is to "big car like" for a small car, the front end is too "small car like" for a big car. Be honest... If that car didn't have the pediree that it does, 1/2 of you would be ripping it apart.
HEMI32 Saw that comment after posting mine When I started it was not there Am very slow at typing at the moment, one finger and left handed! as my other arm is restained after surgery. Well, thats my excuse.
LOL ... I have the same problem (a slow typist) ... but unlike you, I have no good excuses ... in high school I typed 50-60 wpm on an electric typewriter ... then in college, I somehow reverted to using just two, three or four fingers on the computer keyboard ... 20+ years later and I get by with a lot of cutting & pasting from other documents ... and two finger typing.
The "tron" shows up! Like the Napoleon horn button. Hey 'tron, does it have dual range hydro? It had better!
JimA ... by "show" do you mean Pebble or the TV program? ... if it's the later, Discovery HD Theater is running the entire Chasing Classic Cars series on Christmas Day ... Episode 12 (Muntz Jet at Pebble) airs @ 7:30PM PST ... just click HERE for the Chasing Classic Cars website.
The same man who owns the 1955 Cadillac station wagon here in town has one that needs restored.I do not know what year it is but i do know it has the hemi in it.I gave him a Muntz 4 track tape player to put in it.
<TABLE class=tborder id=post3405503 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 id=td_post_3405503 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e5e5e5 1px solid">The same man who owns the 1955 Cadillac station wagon here in town has one that needs restored.I do not know what year it is but i do know it has the hemi in it.I gave him a Muntz 4 track tape player to put in it. <!-- / message --></TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e5e5e5 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #e5e5e5 0px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #e5e5e5 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e5e5e5 1px solid"> </TD><TD class=alt1 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e5e5e5 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #e5e5e5 0px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #e5e5e5 0px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e5e5e5 1px solid" align=right><!-- controls --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Could you please ask the gentleman to contact the Muntz Registry? BVMunsen@aol.com We are always looking for cars that are "missing" from the data base. Thanks!
Hey guys, I was watching TV tonight and saw that a car that I worked on, the Muntz Jet was on and had a picture of where I worked. So I did some searching and found this thread. The Muntz was quite the car, and trying to fix the completely rotted out interior was definately difficult. But it came out incredible. Ryan
UPDATE: Tonight's episode of "Chasing Classic Cars" on Discovery HD Theater was entitled "Muntz Jet". In this episode, Wayne Carini puts the Muntz up for sale at the prestigious Bonhams auction in Carmel Valley, CA. I won't spoil the ending ... but will say the program was definitely worth watching ... plus there's other special interest cars featured.
That kinda quality or lack there of was and is very common. My opinion 90+% of old customs and new ones are built by cutting corners. Im gunna notice the over style of a car long before I look at welds. It doesnt make or break the car just is what it is. As others have stated its funky at front where the fender "doesnt meet" the bumper. Also I never dug the 53 merc taillights on anything.
I think this kind of craftsmenship was pretty common back in the day, including Barris , Bailon. etc! If it didnt show on the outside, than F#$% - it! Jim McNiel said it about the Hirahato Merc. just the way they were. Enjoy! You could probably exclude Dick Bertolucci's work from this list though.
Seems as thought there were two designers working on the visuals of the car. One front, one rear. And they never met each other. But, a very interesting car. And, does anybody remember Muntz televisions? I think he was into all kind of things.
He was the fourth largest television manufacturer, back in the day. MadMan Muntz actually coined the term "TV" after seeing the letters become windblown on his "Muntz Television" skywriting ads...
If memory serves, I think Earl "Madman" Muntz also had a chain of used car operations in Southern California, perhaps during WWll, or shortly thereafter, when cars were tough to get. Quite a promoter!
He was the largest used car dealer in the world. Sold 72 million dollars worth of cars in one year, immediately following WWII... He opened his first car lot when he was seventeen years old, and his mom had to actually sign the contracts!
The rear of the car looks like a cross between a '53 Mercury and a mid-'50s Chrysler. Very nice and very smooth! The front, with the Henry J fenders and the Buick grille, is something I do like; but could've been executed a little better. Wheels and tires are perfect. The car profile is really attractive to me! And that interior really fits that car. The instrument cluster is no-nonsense and in a very stylish cluster. Would I own that? Hell, yeah, I would! Imagine that body sprayed entirely in deep, gloss black..and that red interior...!!! And yes, Muntz was a hell of a car salesman! It's a shame he did not build more cars that bear his name.
TotallyCustom ... I guess I suffer from C.R.S. ... 'cuz even though that Chasing Classic Cars "Muntz Jet" episode aired just a month ago, I can't remember the exact sales figure ... though I do remember that it was significantly less than what Wayne Carini was expecting to get for the car ($150-175K). EDIT: Here ya go (through the power of the Internet): Bonhams Sale Results Sale 17327; Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia; 14 August 2009; Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club, Carmel Valley, CA : Lot #: 296 Description: Ex-Orchestra leader Freddy Martin, original Joe Bailon customized, 1952 Muntz Jet Convertible, Chassis no. 52M 246 Price: $117,000 (inclusive of of Buyer's Premium, exclusive of taxes)
$117,000.00 I wonder what Joe Bailon got for it?? And to think that car was about five minutes from me. I wonder if Carini cashed Joe out a bonus after the sale? Highly doubt it. Dave Hitch
Really an interesting history lesson. I am going to watch for a rerun on the tv program. Thanx for the interesting post. ~Sololobo~
The tail lites and rear bumper are 52 Mercury, though he had to by the looks of it reshape the center of the bumper...
Growing up in the late 50's I worked in a salvage yard owned by a family friend and I got to see a lot of wierd cars. I remember the first Muntz I saw and it was powered by a Lincoln flathead and had seat covers that looked like snakeskin, from the factory. He was referred to as "Mad Man" Muntz for many reasons.
The Jalopy Journal
