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1938 American Bantam Series 60 news, pictures, and information

Roadster
 
The American Bantam Car Company was resurrected from the ashes of the American Austin Car Company of Butler, PA. Bantams were produced from 1938 through 1941. Count Alexis deSaknoffsky redesigned his original American Austin Roadster for $300, resulting in this updated art-deco design that included the stylish grille, enclosed fenders and rear skirts.

The American Bantam was redesigned from his original America Roadster, design by Count Alexis deSakhnoffsky for $300.00. This vehicle has a 45 c.i. 20 hp engine with top speed of 60 mph and 60 mpg. Thermo-syphon cooling. There is a 3 speed transmission with reverse. The car weighs 1150 pounds. 971 Roadsters were produced from 1937-1940. Original selling price was $479.00
Boulevard Delivery
 
The Bantam Boulevard Delivery was built during a twelve-month period between 1938 and 1939. Only 70 of these vehicles were produced with variations in details common. Roadsters were converted into Boulevard Deliveries by adding a cargo box with gently arching lines, described in sales literature as a 'jewel box on wheels.' Upscale shops such as furriers and milliners used them to make deliveries and be noticed while doing so. Five are known to survive. Priced at $549, the Deluxe version included whitewall tires, leather upholstery, dual wipers and horns, chrome wheel trim rings and interior appointments. The Boulevard Delivery weighed 1,200 pounds and was powered by a 45 cubic-inch, inline, four-cylinder engine producing 20 horsepower.
Roadster
Chassis Num: 62109
Engine Num: 63349
 
Sold for $90,200 at 2012 Gooding & Company.
Roy S. Evans purchased the American Austin company, located in Butler, PA, in 1935. He hired designer Alexis de Sakhnoffsky to restyle the cars. In 1937, Evans reconstituted the company as American Bantan, and presented a range of vehicles consisting of three different coupes and two roadsters. The success of the company, however, was destabilized due to the Depression-era economy and production ceased after the 1941 model year.

This American Bantam Roadster is powered by a 46 cubic-inch L-head four-cylinder engine fitted with an updraft carburetor. It produces 20 horsepower and is mated to a three-speed manual gearbox. There are four-wheel mechanical drum brakes with a live rear axle using quarter-elliptical leaf springs.

In 1965, this roadster was purchased by Everett Kroll, which marked the beginning of a long succession of ownerships by presidents of the American Bantam Society. The current owner first purchased the car in 1985, before selling it to another former president of the American Bantam Society, Scott Pickle. The current owner (also a former American Bantam club president) recently reacquired the car and treated it to a restoration that was completed in 2011. The exterior is finished in two-tone color scheme of red and maroon with art deco cues such as the chrome spears on the rear fender shields. There is a convenient folding soft top, a non-original competition that is considerably easier to use than the original top and can conveniently be removed for a more authentic presentation.

This roadster is one of only 512 examples built in 1938. It has a rear-mounted spare tire, side curtains, fold-down windshield and whitewall tires.

In 2012, this Roadster was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Az. It was estimated to sell for $35,000 - $55,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $90,200 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012
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.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009
Magnificent Series of Coachbuilt Classics To Grace RM's Amelia Island Concours D'Elegance Sale
• RM Auctions returns as the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, March 9, 2013 • Single-day sale features breathtaking roster of more than 80 investment-quality collector cars • Notable highlights include an outstanding series of coachbuilt classics headlined by a multi-million-dollar 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Walker-LaGrande Convertible Coupe and a trio of Cords from the personal collection of Jim Fasnacht • Frequently updated list of entries available online at r...[Read more...]
Breaking news from Coys
1966 AC Shelby Cobra - Now selling at No Reserve! Coys are pleased to announce that a 1966 AC Shelby Cobra will now be selling at No Reserve later today at the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham. Featured on the front cover of Classic & Sportscar magazine in September 2012, this Cobra is beautifully presented in Rangoon Red paintwork with black leather upholstery and hood and tan tonneau and sidescreens, and the car still displays a delightful patina. The 427ci b...[Read more...]
Lost Mercedes - Surfaces At Bonhams
One owner, unrestored, supercharged 'S' Type Mercedes to be sold by Bonhams at Goodwood Revival this autumn One of the greatest and most important motor car finds of the last decade, the 'Lost Mercedes' is to be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale on Saturday 15th September 2012. Bonhams announced today that it has been commissioned to sell a recently discovered 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 'S' Type Sports Tourer which almost without precedent for motor cars of this type and d...[Read more...]
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