The roof is ungainly but it looks like it is hiding a four seater. Therefore almost certainly US. I'd guess early 50's and possibly coachbuilt, but know nothing of US coachbuilders.
I am interested in what it is; certainly different
In 2009, this Muntz Jet Convertible was offered for sale by Bonhams Auction at the Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel, CA. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $175,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $117,000 inclusive of Buyer's Premium
the Muntz story is very entertaining reading. I won't go into it all, but I encourage people to check it out.
Basically this Jet is a re-design of the car Muntz originally built from Kurtis designs. The original Muntz was Cadillac powered, but the Jet was forced by GM to find another engine--so they went with a flathead Lincoln.
Muntz lost money like crazy on the 4-seat Jet. It did have some nifty options though, like a liquor cabinet.
Rumor has it that Ford, by selling Muntz Lincoln engines, got cozy enough to rip off a lot of Muntz/Curtis ideas for their new "sports car"---the Thunderbird. Given an examination of the two cars, the rumor has merit.
It is similar but it's not a Monza SS. One more hint: Like the Monza SS it is also Corvair based. It was the brainchild of a distinguished race driver and intended to be a production sports car but GM pulled the plug on the Corvair before he could sart a production run.
Correct, if GM and Ralph Nader hadn't killed the Corvair, John Fitch might have been another Carroll Shelby and made an American Porsche out of the Phoenix.
Fitch, who recently died at 95 had a careers as a Fighter pilot, racing driver, race track and team manager as well as an auto safety pioneer. He might be the most amazing man you never heard of.
I don't think Nader killed the car---GM shot themselves in the foot. Bad PR itself can rarely kill off a car. The Corvair was under-developed and GM pretty much had abandoned it by 1965 anyway, the same year as Nader's book. So GM had the Corvair off the books already, with the '65 being the last model planned.
the Mustang was a big wake-up call for GM--hence the Camaro really became the new Corvair.
If anything, Nader merely made circling the drain a little faster perhaps, or if anything encouraged GM that they were right in ditching the car and going "conventional".
The '65 was an all-new car and very attractive. But, maximum 180 horsepower didn't cut it for most people. I'd still enjoy one but I think it'd be even harder to find anybody to work on it than a Studebaker.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Well like the Studebaker cult, the Corvair cult has its little nests of believers--so I think if you were patient, you'd find someone in driving distance. He might be WEIRD, but he'd know Corvairs.
There's a guy right around me who collects them, He must have 20 of them in the back 40, in the tin shed, even stacked on each other. He fixes one up, sells it, fixes another sells it, buys 3 more, takes those apart...you know the routine.
These days, with aftermarket help you can make a much better Corvair, or Studebaker, than the factory ever did. For one thing, you can stop most of the oil leaks and you can re-assemble the car with more care.
A friend who's an auto writer told me not to worry about serviceability when I bought my '66 Stude--'anybody that can work on a '60's Chevelle can work on that car'. I didn't own it long enough to really find out though.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Yep, it's a '69 Mercury Cougar next to a '69 Aston-Martin DBS. It's from On Her Majesty's Secret Service an oddball in the Bond series in that it featured George Lazenby perhaps the most forgettable of the James Bond portrayers and Diana Rigg (next to the Cougar), my far and away favorite of the Bond girls.
Sure, there's nothing challenging about working on a Chevelle or a Studebaker---same-o, same-o. It's all straightforward 1930/40s technology basically. Any mechanic who worked on cars in 1915 should be able to work on any American car up to about the early 70s, no problem. And if he worked on Model T Fords, he'd understand automatic tranmissions. AC might throw him a bit.
George Lazenby might be the most forgettable Bond, but pulling it back on topic, he was a Car Salesman from Canberra. He then sold Used Cars in Finchley (North London) before moving on to selling New in Park Lane.
Unfortunately he could not do a posh enough accent, so the voice when he was pretending to be Sir Hilary Bray, was actually dubbed by George Baker, who subsequently played Inspector Wexford.
Agree for the most part, Shifty...which is why I think having a Corvair would be more of a service headache. I've long said that after a Studebaker, a second-gen Corvair would be my next choice in a hobby car. Rumor was the dealers usually had one dedicated Corvair guy out back in the shop.
For some reason (last, I guess), I've always liked '69 Monza hardtops with the four-carb engine (140 hp), although Corvair boards say that's fussy to keep running well and that a 110 hp is a less fussy beast. The styling and interior use of space is top-notch IMHO.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
yes a '69 would be a nice car to have. Carbs might be fussy but they aren't complicated....just a matter of rebuilding them and then twisting a screw now and then.
The Chevy convertible is a '62 as is the Falcon. The '57 Chevy looks like a 210 to me, because it has dog dish hubcaps and the area between the chrome trim on the back looks like it's painted (as opposed to the aluminum beauty panel of the Bel Air).
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Good eye on the Mercury, it's hidden in the trees but it's there. As for my mis-pronunciation of Dorchester, I find the way they speak in Boston rather bizzah.
The '57 Chevy looks like a 210 to me, because it has dog dish hubcaps and the area between the chrome trim on the back looks like it's painted (as opposed to the aluminum beauty panel of the Bel Air).
Black walls instead of whitewalls are another indication but by '62 the '57 Chevy was just an old car (that was outsold by Ford in'57) and Boston is pretty hard on cars (note missing hubcap).
Definitely French, 1930s vintage, probably bodied by Saoutchik, Franay or possibly Chapron. It's likely a Delage, Delahaye or Talbot-Lago. The French dominated exotic car styling during the 1930s and 40s.
Here's a 1947 Saoutchik Talbot-Lago T126 that looks similar>
You'd get more attention in this than in a Countach.
Comments
Actually it's a '71. :shades:
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Looks like the rear of a Mazda Capella Coupe.
Cheers
Graham
Wikipedia-Mazda Capella
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The roof is ungainly but it looks like it is hiding a four seater. Therefore almost certainly US. I'd guess early 50's and possibly coachbuilt, but know nothing of US coachbuilders.
I am interested in what it is; certainly different
Cheers
Graham
In 2009, this Muntz Jet Convertible was offered for sale by Bonhams Auction at the Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel, CA. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $175,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $117,000 inclusive of Buyer's Premium
Basically this Jet is a re-design of the car Muntz originally built from Kurtis designs. The original Muntz was Cadillac powered, but the Jet was forced by GM to find another engine--so they went with a flathead Lincoln.
Muntz lost money like crazy on the 4-seat Jet. It did have some nifty options though, like a liquor cabinet.
Rumor has it that Ford, by selling Muntz Lincoln engines, got cozy enough to rip off a lot of Muntz/Curtis ideas for their new "sports car"---the Thunderbird. Given an examination of the two cars, the rumor has merit.
Dad's got a 200c so nothing against those, for what they are, but they are most certainly not Lancias!
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
His ad slogan was: "He buys 'em high and sells 'em low"
Sounds about like my stock portfolio strategy. :P
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Hint, the motor is in back.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Correct, if GM and Ralph Nader hadn't killed the Corvair, John Fitch might have been another Carroll Shelby and made an American Porsche out of the Phoenix.
Fitch, who recently died at 95 had a careers as a Fighter pilot, racing driver, race track and team manager as well as an auto safety pioneer. He might be the most amazing man you never heard of.
Obituary-John Cooper Fitch.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
the Mustang was a big wake-up call for GM--hence the Camaro really became the new Corvair.
If anything, Nader merely made circling the drain a little faster perhaps, or if anything encouraged GM that they were right in ditching the car and going "conventional".
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
There's a guy right around me who collects them, He must have 20 of them in the back 40, in the tin shed, even stacked on each other. He fixes one up, sells it, fixes another sells it, buys 3 more, takes those apart...you know the routine.
These days, with aftermarket help you can make a much better Corvair, or Studebaker, than the factory ever did. For one thing, you can stop most of the oil leaks and you can re-assemble the car with more care.
Are these pictures coming forth because of the new Bond movie being released this Friday?
I cannot identify the coupe next to it, however.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
George Lazenby might be the most forgettable Bond, but pulling it back on topic, he was a Car Salesman from Canberra. He then sold Used Cars in Finchley (North London) before moving on to selling New in Park Lane.
Unfortunately he could not do a posh enough accent, so the voice when he was pretending to be Sir Hilary Bray, was actually dubbed by George Baker, who subsequently played Inspector Wexford.
Cheers
Graham
Much BIGGER!
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
For some reason (last, I guess), I've always liked '69 Monza hardtops with the four-carb engine (140 hp), although Corvair boards say that's fussy to keep running well and that a 110 hp is a less fussy beast. The styling and interior use of space is top-notch IMHO.
BTW - It's pronounced Dot-chez-tah with an voice tinged by Jack and Chestefields.
1956 Mercury
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
mis-pronunciation of Dorchester, I find the way they speak in Boston rather bizzah.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Black walls instead of whitewalls are another indication but by '62 the '57 Chevy was just an old car (that was outsold by Ford in'57) and Boston is pretty hard on cars (note missing hubcap).
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The 3 vehicles are as follows (from left to right);
1971 Monteverdi 375C
1967 TVR Trident Roadster
1972 Guyson E12
Odie
"How can you say you 'buy high and sell low' and stay in business?"
Answer: "Volume, son, volume..."
Odie
No idea what it is, but what a magnificent picture for a jigsaw puzzle!
Cheers
Graham
possibly Chapron. It's likely a Delage, Delahaye or Talbot-Lago. The French dominated exotic car styling during the 1930s and 40s.
Here's a 1947 Saoutchik Talbot-Lago T126 that looks similar>
You'd get more attention in this than in a Countach.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Very good point.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Odie
larger version here
Is that a Saoutchik body?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
-VW micro van I forget what they call it
-Audi A/S-8
-VW Minivan (not our Routan)
-Skoda Superb wagon
-Mercedes SL (current version).
Next row is a lot harder, is that a Ford F150/250? What's it doing there?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93