|
|
|
|
| |||
The Bantam was the successor to the American Austin, built at Butler from 1930 to 1934. Both cars were small, fuel-efficient and attractive in design. Bantam branded its cars with names like 'Riviera' and 'Hollywood' in direct contradiction to its shoestring budget. Perhaps Bantam's most enduring achievement was the production of the first successful 'Jeep' for the U.S. Army in 1940. The huge military contract, however, went to Ford and Willys. Bantam ended car production in 1941.Source - AACA Museum
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.
1939 American Bantam 60 Roadster |
|
| Year | 1939 |
| Make | American Bantam |
| Model | 60 Roadster |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Price | $449.00 |
| Weight | 1261 lbs | 572 kg |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Flat Head | |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 50.10 CU IN. | 821.1 cc. | 0.8 L. |
| Horsepower | 20.00 HP (14.7 KW) @ 3800.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 63.1 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 25.0 BHP / Liter |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| American Bantam History |
| Other models by American Bantam |
| View Specifications |
 |
| Vehicle Ratings | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Rate the Vehicle | ||||||||||
| Add Review |
| Articles and Event Coverage |
| AACA Antique Auto Museum at Hershey |
| Additional Resources and Links |
| AACA Auto Museum Official Website |
| 1939 American Bantam models |
| Roadster |
| Station Wagon Woodie |
| Recent Vehicle News | ||
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 | ||
Conceptcarz.com
| Site Map
| Contact
| Terms Of Use | Links | RSS
| Top
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