Click to enlarge THE CAR AND ITS OWNER
1952 Muntz Road Jet owned by Stanley and Mary Redlus
WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING
The Redlus’ say their four-seat convertible is one of only 49 known to exist out of approximately 200 made from 1951 through 1954, and is featured in the book, “Cars of the Fantastic ‘50s.” According to conceptcarz.com, the original design came from well-known American race car designer Frank Kurtis and was later sold to entrepreneur Earl “Mad Man” Muntz, who made his fortune selling DuMont televisions. Built in Muntz’ hometown of Evanston, IL, the Road Jet could reportedly do 0-60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 119.
HOW LONG THEY’VE OWNED IT
Since 2007
WHERE THEY FOUND IT
They had been looking for a Muntz and tracked one down in a private Long Island collection in Mattituck, NY. “After about three months of prodding from a friend,” Stanley Redlus says, “I called the owner and we came to an agreement. It had not been started for a few years so we put it on a trailer and brought it back home.”
CONDITION
Redlus says the car was partially restored in Wisconsin, with updated mechanicals and new paint, before it came to Long Island. “The mileage is 47,650,” he says. “Body parts are impossible to find. The engine is a 331-cubic-inch Cadillac (V-8), front and rear end are Ford, transmission is GM, and all are easy to find parts for. I do all mechanical work myself. I have the original sales brochure and a lot of old magazine articles about the car.”
TIPS FOR OWNERS
“Owning a collector car is great,” Redlus advises. “It is a wonderful hobby.”
VALUE
The Redlus’ estimate the value at $65,000 to $85,000.
THE BOTTOM LINE
“We love our special cars,” he says. “The lines of this car are wonderful. It is such fun going to car shows and talking to people about the car, and sometimes meeting someone who knows something about the car, the company and Earl ‘The Madman’ Muntz.”
1952 Muntz Road Jet owned by Stanley and Mary Redlus
WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING
The Redlus’ say their four-seat convertible is one of only 49 known to exist out of approximately 200 made from 1951 through 1954, and is featured in the book, “Cars of the Fantastic ‘50s.” According to conceptcarz.com, the original design came from well-known American race car designer Frank Kurtis and was later sold to entrepreneur Earl “Mad Man” Muntz, who made his fortune selling DuMont televisions. Built in Muntz’ hometown of Evanston, IL, the Road Jet could reportedly do 0-60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 119.
HOW LONG THEY’VE OWNED IT
Since 2007
WHERE THEY FOUND IT
They had been looking for a Muntz and tracked one down in a private Long Island collection in Mattituck, NY. “After about three months of prodding from a friend,” Stanley Redlus says, “I called the owner and we came to an agreement. It had not been started for a few years so we put it on a trailer and brought it back home.”
CONDITION
Redlus says the car was partially restored in Wisconsin, with updated mechanicals and new paint, before it came to Long Island. “The mileage is 47,650,” he says. “Body parts are impossible to find. The engine is a 331-cubic-inch Cadillac (V-8), front and rear end are Ford, transmission is GM, and all are easy to find parts for. I do all mechanical work myself. I have the original sales brochure and a lot of old magazine articles about the car.”
TIPS FOR OWNERS
“Owning a collector car is great,” Redlus advises. “It is a wonderful hobby.”
VALUE
The Redlus’ estimate the value at $65,000 to $85,000.
THE BOTTOM LINE
“We love our special cars,” he says. “The lines of this car are wonderful. It is such fun going to car shows and talking to people about the car, and sometimes meeting someone who knows something about the car, the company and Earl ‘The Madman’ Muntz.”
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