The businessman, nicknamed “Mad Muntz”, came up with the idea of building a car that would take him to the next level while speeding up the television business. However, he has gone so far in his “madness” that he has failed with the brand.
Today I will talk about the production of a car that was not successful when it was first built, met with bad luck, by a marketer, TV star and inventor, nicknamed “crazy”. Also, it’s not just an ordinary car … Although short-lived, I’m going to talk about a “milestone” that brought the concept of “personal luxury car” and suitable models to the American auto industry into the future. I don’t think you’ve heard of the name, but let me tell you: “Muntz Jet” or Kurtis Sport as it was originally called …
Frank Kurtis grew up in Californian automotive culture. At the age of 14, he began his career as an “apprentice” at a body shop in Los Angeles. At that time, those who made private cars were called bodybuilders or bodybuilders. Having developed his mastery here, Kurtis was quick to start his own business and began manufacturing special vehicles. He founded the Kurtis-Kraft company and produced special racing cars for those who wanted to race on the Indianapolis track and muddy tracks.
Withdrawn from the project
Kurtis, who has been very successful in this regard and has received racing car orders, has also made special vehicles for Hollywood films. Until, in 1948, he was asked to build a car that he could define as “the only one in the world”. “Studebaker”, one of the major American carmakers of the time, asked him for a special car that could introduce new suspension systems and V8 engine. Kurtis designed a completely different car, inspired by a scrapped 1941 Buick. He dreamed that this car could be mass produced and even sold at Studebaker dealers if requested in the future.
But before we could start assembling the vehicle, Studebaker canceled the V8 project. A little disappointed by this, Kurtis did not give up and this time turned to Ford for the supply of the engine. The car, which was a blend of fiberglass, aluminum and steel parts, had a wonderful design. Frank Kurtis decided to produce it himself, but after a while he lost interest and enthusiasm for the project. Until then he had produced 15 of the vehicles he called “Kurtis Sport”.
And Muntz shows up!
However, one person prevents the project from getting on dusty shelves. Because Earl Muntz, originally from Southern California and nicknamed “crazy”, convinces Kurtis to sell him the design of the vehicle in question for $ 200,000. So who is Muntz?
In fact, anyone under 50 will say: “Come on, is that right?” she will say. Because younger people don’t know much about “8-channel cartridge cassettes” in cars. Muntz is the inventor of this one, and he is also the one who utters the word “Tee Vee” while advertising the televisions he produces … Earl Muntz, who made a considerable fortune making televisions and tape recorders, selling second-hand vehicles, etc. He was also known as “the man who advertises himself”. Building a car for himself could mean attracting more people to used car showrooms.
There is also a seat belt.
Frank Kurtis lengthened the chassis to transform the Kurtis Sports into the “Muntz Jet”, adding rear seats and making it a four-seater. It began with the new 331 cubic-inch Cadillac V8 engine, while Lincoln’s cars were preferred in later models. Details have been added to the equipment such as the full leather upholstery, the soft leather details on the front console, the glove compartment, the storage compartment in the center console, the seat belts. This made the vehicle more luxurious. There were also “Muntz style” elements among the flooring options. For example, a “crocodile skin” upholstery was available. The minibar and ice bucket can also fit into the optional vehicle. Also, the car could be bought in colors that would make it stand out on the road: purple, pink, white, liquor green …
The Muntz Jet was one of the most luxurious and fastest convertibles of its time. He was rooting for Thunderbirds and Corvettes. In fact, Muntz kept saying that Ford designed the Thunderbird inspired by the Jet. It was selling for $ 5,500, but Muntz was losing $ 1,000 on each vehicle. At that point, Muntz began to have difficulties and the production of the Jet ended after 198 units. He himself was on the verge of bankruptcy and even ended television production.
However, he later found an investor and returned to the television production business. Meanwhile, he made car music systems and invented the “8-channel tape cartridge”. He made up for his losses. But he hasn’t returned to the automotive industry …
Created a new class
Even today, the Muntz Jet is considered in many ways a very special vehicle, like the Citroen DS or the Tatra T867. It can also be called a touchstone or guide. While it’s unclear whether Jet was Thunderbird’s muse, as Muntz claims, he is known to have pioneered something else. He also pioneered a class called “personal luxury car” in American automotive history.
Although it has lost some of its influence in the current period, “personal luxury cars” meant sporty and elegant coupes that were developed and designed with comfort rather than performance in mind. American manufacturers have shared platforms between their brands for this type of vehicle and have produced several luxury models on the same basis. For example, Cadillac Eldorado, Ford Thunderbird, Studebaker Avanti, Buick Riviera, Mercedes SL450, which have been in production for 50 years, are among those that I can count …
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