Jupiter 146 discovered

[Srenner]

Jupiter 146 has turned up after disappearing since its sale from Max Hoffman back in 1951. Found in Virginia, it is in rather sorry condition, but was relatively complete until discovered.

It was converted to LHD using the original steering wheel and shaft but without swapping the instrument panel. The original motor, gearbox and RHD rack were removed and replaced with an unknown 6 cylinder/gearbox arrangement and evidently driven for some length of time. About 1960, that motor/gearbox was removed, the car was put on a trailer and moved behind the garage, awaiting the installation of a Miller (Offenhauser) motor. We all know this next part of the story. Time passed!

Enter a car hunter. He had been contacted by someone who knew the Miller motor was available and while there, was taken around the back of the shed and shown the Jupiter, completely hidden, buried in vines. The car was pulled from the forest, still resting on the trailer. He took the bonnet assembly (with trim and badges), the largely disassembled original motor, gearbox and steering rack, as this items were easily loaded in the back of his truck. He drove 500 miles back to his base.

The hunter contacted me and with the help of Jupiter owners K. Nelson and P. Dingle, we have been trying to buy the parts now in the Detroit area, as well as to get someone to drive to Virginia with the hopes of buying the car and saving it from getting scrapped. Piecing together various conversations the three of us have had with the seller, it appears that the remains of the car might be purchased for as little as US$350 from the family in Virginia.

Both K. and P.have visited the seller separately and taken inventory and pictures. The cases appear in good condition with the flat web crank still installed. The only big items damaged or missing are the oil pan and dust cover under the flywheel. Mr. Dingle offered to buy the motor and was told the seller wanted US$1000.00 for it. He also stated he will use the bonnet assembly as "yard art" if he does not get an offer he likes.

So, it appears at the moment that we have a rock and a hard place. The clock is is running on the remains in Virginia and the seller in Michigan thinks anything as rare as Jupiter parts demands big money. My efforts to be open and honest on values seems to fall on deaf ears. At the moment, I have suggested he list the items on eBay as that is a pretty fair estimate of judging the market value of an item. I do not know if he will list them or simply leave them in what was described as a rather large warehouse.

[David Kemp]

Merry Xmas, any news on this Jupiter?

[Srenner]

I have been trying to get the contact info of the car's owner from Mark the hunter. It appears at this point that the information is "Top Secret". I posted a Want to Buy advert on Craigslist in Virginia. Craigslist is the default place to advertise in most of the US, so I'm hoping it will draw in someone with knowledge of the car.