American Austin Coupe, 1931 Coupe | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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In 1929, the American Austin Car Company set up shop in Butler, Pennsylvania and in the following decade proved that America, despite the Great Depression, was not ready for a tiny, economy car. The first versions were 1930 models, with chassis and running gear like the English Austin seven, and coachwork designed by the renowned Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and executed by Detroit's Hayes Body Company. The car was 16 inch narrower and 28 inch shorter than any other American automobile of the period, and guaranteed 40 miles to the gallon.

The public, however, was evidently unprepared to pay a list price that was higher than a Ford or Chevrolet, despite the improved mileage figures. Nevertheless, the little car got plenty of publicity as Buster Keaton and other celebrities took delivery; the 'Our Gang' comedy movies adopted the Austin immediately, as did popular cartoonists. In the meantime, public enamor with the ford Model A's resulted in Austin being in receivership by 1932. Production ceased in 1936, but the car returned with all-new styling by de Sakhnoffsky for 1937, now called the American Bantam. The company designed and built the first successful Jeep prototypes for the U.S. Army in 1940-but it 1941, was out of business.

Source - Frick Car Museum

1931 American Austin Coupe
Year	1931
Make	American Austin
Model	Coupe
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Price	$465.00
Weight	1130 lbs \| 512.6 kg

Engine
Engine Configuration	I
	L-Head
Cylinders	4
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	45.00 CU IN. \| 737.6 cc. \| 0.7 L.
Horsepower	15.00 HP (11 KW) @ 3500.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio	75.3 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter	21.4 BHP / Liter
	Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
Gears	3
Transmission	Manual
	Sliding gear

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1931 American Austin Coupe