What happened to Jack Launtz?

[hi-tech cobra]

Anyone know what happened to Jack Launtz?

[Slither]

Is there a problem with Jack?

[computerworks]

Sorry to report, but Jack Launtz (CSX3020) passed away this past summer. It was sudden and unexpected and he is missed.

[hi-tech cobra]

That is sad.

[Slither]

That is very, very sad. I transported a car for him a couple of summers ago. He was a great guy. We will miss him.

[1985 CCX]

He is still missed by all, he was one of a kind. He was as rare as his car.

To this day if you have a red Cobra my son thinks it's Jack.



Jack was a rare individual that was shared all his cars. Above is my son and I going Brittany Spears with Jack around VIR.
I will share a quick story as told by his wife:
Jack was at a local event with 3020, as he would actually drive the car. A couple came up and started to look over this great machine. The husband started to point out to Jack that 3020 was a nice replica but here is where the replication went wrong....... After several minutes the gents wife asked if it was a real one, the whole time Jack just let the guy keep talking never correcting him. Both wife's laughed but never did tell the man he was standing above a real comp Shelby Cobra. Jack was a great man and great friend. Missed very much.......Remembered every day!

[Slither]

At one time, CSX3020 was painted yellow with a big black X across the entire car. It was driven by Dave Dralle at that time.
Jack and his wife were also Corvette people. I was lucky enough to see his car collection at his home in PA.
He was one special guy!

[SLHetal]

Jack was a very generous person. He often shared information and pictures from his personal collection. He also would spend plenty of time on the phone with me offering any assistance he could. He is missed.
Sam

[ELizabethWalter]

Peridodically, a name from my past pops into my head, and I go searching. I am amazed and saddened and still amazed again to have found Jack on these opages. Jack was my first serious boyfriend. I was 18 , a college kid, and madly smitten with this handsome boy, but iin truth I was also smitten with his maroon Corvette - I think it was a '67.or '68 model. I seem to remember that it had dual overhead cam shafts, and to this day I have no idea what a cam shaft is. For Christmas that year, Jack gave me a 14kt gold charm, a Corvette, of course. Over 40 years later, married with children and grandchildren, and living in Australia, I still have the charm bracelet and the golden Corvette. But I never see the real thing, a passing classic '60s 'Vette, that I don't think of that dashing young Jack, and my heart smiles.

[noblec5]

Thanks Elizabeth for sharing that story...I didnt know jack, however I think I have a glimpse now. Thank You!

Chris

[robert84]

He was a great guy.

[SpecOp1]

This is why forums are so enlightening...history continues through these posts and threads....thank you all for keeping the sport alive....Bill

[Kramer]

Damn Elizabeth, I don't you are jack but your story almost made me jerk out a tear.

When I was building my car, i looked at all 3020's photos and video's I could. My condolences to Jack and his family.

[1985 CCX]

Elizabeth

Look like this car to the right?



Car is still in the family now with the fourth owner his daughter. Jack was the first owner and the third owner. Great story, we all miss him........

[Slither]

CSX3020 was originally owned by Thomas Payne. The car was then sold to Dave Dralle in late '67. In 1974, Arnold Mowery purchased CSX3020 from Dave Dralle. Art Foley obtained the car in November of '81. Then Bruce Ziegler purchased it in April of 1990. David Loebenberg bought CSX3020 in November of '92. Then it was sold to David Randall. in '02, it was acquired by Larry Bowman. Jack Launtz didn't own CSX3020 until 2004. He was the ninth (9th) owner. I was lucky enough to see, in person, CSX3020 in Jack's garage at his home. Soon after Jack's passing. CSX3020, and some other of his cars, were sold at the Mecum Collector Car Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana. My information came from the 4th Edition SAAC World Registry of Cobras & GT40s.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by ELizabethWalter

Peridodically, a name from my past pops into my head, and I go searching. I am amazed and saddened and still amazed again to have found Jack on these opages. Jack was my first serious boyfriend. I was 18 , a college kid, and madly smitten with this handsome boy, but iin truth I was also smitten with his maroon Corvette - I think it was a '67.or '68 model. I seem to remember that it had dual overhead cam shafts, and to this day I have no idea what a cam shaft is. For Christmas that year, Jack gave me a 14kt gold charm, a Corvette, of course. Over 40 years later, married with children and grandchildren, and living in Australia, I still have the charm bracelet and the golden Corvette. But I never see the real thing, a passing classic '60s 'Vette, that I don't think of that dashing young Jack, and my heart smiles.

What a great story! That was awesome!
Larry

[ELizabethWalter]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Elizabeth

Look like this car to the right?



Car is still in the family now with the fourth owner his daughter. Jack was the first owner and the third owner. Great story, we all miss him........

Oh........My........God.

Jeff, in my wildest dreams, I never thought I would ever again lay eyes on THAT Corvette. The original, the unforgettable, the actual maroon Sting Ray that was the icon of my youth, first love, halcyon days. Is that Jack in the pic? I recognised him immediately in the other photo posted on this thread.

The last time I remember being in that car was 1966. We were stuck in a blizzard somewhere Belnap College, Jack's New Hampshire school, and Manhattan, where my family lived. I took the wheel, and Jack got out and pushed. First and last time I ever drove (well , held the wheel of) a Corvette. And it wasn't/isn't a '67 model of course, now that I put my glasses on to peer back through the mists of time, but a '65.

I cannot believe Jack ended up having that car for the rest of his life. And how fabulous that it has been passed down to his daughter. Tell her that, like the little gold Corvette her father gave me all those decades ago, this Corvette is a lucky charm. May it always give her joy. God bless that Corvette and all who sail in her :-)

Jeff, words cannot express my thanks for your kindness. I'll now recede back into cyberspace for good, and leave you grand people to the business of your splendid machines. - E

[ELizabethWalter]

Before I go, though, I am moved to say that Jack the young man far exceeded his Corvette in style, looks and substance. One could say that he was popular not because of his assets, but in spite of them, Jack was so modest and so generous and so hard-wired with reflexive kindness, that he could get away with having a flash car and a handsome face without arousing gimlet-eyed envy among his male peers. He was liked, really liked by everyone in our crowd. He was poised and self-possessed without being aloof, quiet without being stony, and amusing in a way that was always graceful, softly wry, never wounding. And he was blessed with more than a little magnetism. Reading the other comments here, I rejoice to hear that he never changed.

[1985 CCX]

I can once again add to this story......

If you missed the fact Jack was the first and third owner. He had sold the car away years ago only to look for it long after he sold it away. He found it and restored it as it was a special car in his lfe.

Glad I helped ID the car, best to all.......

[Blue66]

WOW is all I can say. I met Jack back in the early 70's. I sold him a set of "427 COBRA" alum valve covers. Found him in 2005 in HERE !! Still have the PMs from him. Sad to hear of his passing .
"ELizabethWalter" are you from NH ???