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The American Austin Car Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1929 and headquartered in Butler, Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. The company built small automobiles based on the Austin Seven of the Austin Motor Company of Birmingham, England. These automobiles were fuel-efficient, cost effective, and mechanically uncomplicated.
The Ford Motor Company had created an empire by offering vehicles that were inexpensive and practical. The American Austin Car Company was poised to take that business model a step further with their miniature cars. Most were given 45.6 cubic-inch four-cylinder engines that produced about 15 horsepower. The transverse leaf springs in the front and semi-elliptic rear leaf springs provided a suitably comfortably ride. The four-wheel mechanical brakes were adequate, as was the three-speed manual gearbox. With an estimated 40 mpg, low sticker price, and the onset of the Great Depression, the future of the company appeared to be blissful. Unfortunately, this was not the case and the company slipped into receivership in 1932, after just 10,000 examples had been produced. By 1934 they were out of business completely. In 1937 the company was revived and named American Bantam. The company stayed in business until 1941 before production ceased completely.
The Ford Motor Company had created an empire by offering vehicles that were inexpensive and practical. The American Austin Car Company was poised to take that business model a step further with their miniature cars. Most were given 45.6 cubic-inch four-cylinder engines that produced about 15 horsepower. The transverse leaf springs in the front and semi-elliptic rear leaf springs provided a suitably comfortably ride. The four-wheel mechanical brakes were adequate, as was the three-speed manual gearbox. With an estimated 40 mpg, low sticker price, and the onset of the Great Depression, the future of the company appeared to be blissful. Unfortunately, this was not the case and the company slipped into receivership in 1932, after just 10,000 examples had been produced. By 1934 they were out of business completely. In 1937 the company was revived and named American Bantam. The company stayed in business until 1941 before production ceased completely.
| | View more photos Series 375 Chassis Num: 3755101 |
The American Austin cars were given a Bantam rooster as its mascot which was placed on the radiator cap. Under the bonnet was an engine that was nearly an exact duplicate of the ones found in the British cars. As 1930 came to a close, a total of 8558 examples had been produced. The following year 1,279 were manufactured and the company entered into receivership. By 1934, production was halted. Shortly thereafter, Roy Evans, a Florida dealer, reorganized the company into the American Bantam Car Company and commissioned Sakhnoffsky to update the vehicles styling.
The new Bantam car was introduced in late 1937 and production would last until World War II. During the War, the company was able to secure a contract with the US Army to produce the Jeep, however their limited factory capacity meant they would soon loose the contract to Willys and Ford. For the duration of the war, the company produced utility trailers. When civilian production resumed, the company remained in business until 1956.
This 1933 American Austin Model 375 Coupe was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $3,000 - $5,000 and offered without reserve. It sold for $1,375 including buyer's premium.
The 375 featured a four-cylinder L-head engine that displaced 46 cubic-inches and produced 14 horsepower. There was a three-speed manual transmissions and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. The 75-inch wheelbase was held in place by a solid front axle with transverse leaf springs and a live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf springs.
This particular example is in need of a major restoration. It was disassembled many years ago and its rebuild and restoration was never completed. Part of the sale included its headlights, radiator, hood and front bumper. The body is reported to be straight and solid but the fabric roof is in very poor condition.
| Photos grouped by event | ||
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Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey |
2006 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Car Show |
 2006 Downtown Pittsburgh Grand Prix Car Display |
1933 American Austin Bantam Roadster |
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| Year | 1933 |
| Make | American Austin |
| Model | Bantam Roadster |
| Body Style | Series 2-75 |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Price | $335.00 |
| Weight | 1040 lbs | 471.7 kg |
| Combined MPG | 40.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 3755101 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| L-Head | |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Water-Cooled | |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 45.60 CU IN. | 747.4 cc. | 0.7 L. |
| Horsepower | 13.00 HP (9.6 KW) @ 3200.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 80.0 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 18.6 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 5.10:1 |
| Main Bearings | 2 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| 1 barrel updraft carburetor | |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Crankshaft | Detachable aluminum crankcase |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Gear Ratios | |
| 1st Gear | 3.238:1 |
| 2nd Gear | 1.848:1 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.00:1 |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 3 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Warner. Floor lever. | |
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com