A rare 1951 Muntz Jet convertible, one of the most unusual American grand touring cars of the early postwar era, has resurfaced with extensive mechanical upgrades that significantly alter its original performance. The vehicle, now powered by a Chevrolet 5.7-liter small-block V8, represents a modernized interpretation of a car produced in extremely limited numbers during the early 1950s.
The Muntz Jet occupies a unique place in American automotive history. Developed during the optimistic years following World War II, the car combined race-inspired engineering with luxury touring features. The project began with legendary race car builder Frank Kurtis, whose Kurtis Sport Car platform served as the foundation for the Jet.
Entrepreneur Earl “Madman” Muntz later acquired the rights to the design and reworked the concept into a larger grand-touring convertible. Under Muntz’s direction, the vehicle received a longer 113-inch wheelbase and a rear seat, transforming it from a pure sports car into a more comfortable touring machine designed for highway travel.
Production of the Jet took place in small numbers between the late 1940s and early 1950s, first in Southern California and later in Evanston, Illinois. The car was expensive to build and difficult to sell profitably, with retail prices typically ranging from about $4,500 to $5,500 at the time. Historical estimates suggest fewer than 200 examples were produced, though some sources place total production slightly higher.
Original Muntz Jets were typically equipped with Cadillac or Lincoln V8 engines producing roughly 160 horsepower. By comparison, the modified 1951 example now carries a Chevrolet 350 cubic-inch V8 paired with a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 9-inch rear axle. The engine features a Holley four-barrel carburetor, Edelbrock intake manifold and MSD ignition system, with exhaust routed through Flowmaster mufflers.
Even a relatively standard version of the Chevrolet 350 engine can produce roughly 330 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, representing a significant increase over the car’s original output. To accommodate the added performance, the vehicle has also been upgraded with rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, replacing the original drum brake system.
Despite the modern mechanical changes, the car retains the distinctive styling that made the Muntz Jet stand out during its era. The body is finished in yellow and features hallmark design elements including chrome wraparound bumpers, a louvered hood and a split windshield. The car rides on 15-inch chrome wheels fitted with whitewall radial tires, and chrome wire wheel covers featuring Muntz medallions are included with the vehicle.
Inside the cabin, the interior has been updated with tan pleated vinyl upholstery. The front seating has been replaced with bucket seats sourced from a mid-1960s Ford Thunderbird, while a rear bench seat remains in place. The cabin also includes a center console with a CD player and storage compartments behind the seats. A Vintage Air climate control system is installed but currently requires repair.
Now offered for sale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the modified 1951 Muntz Jet combines rare American automotive history with updated performance and drivability, presenting collectors with a distinctive example of a low-production grand touring convertible.
