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Image Left 1938 Series 60
 

1939 American Bantam Model 60 news, pictures, and information

Roadster
 
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 wîth 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 Ú.S. Army in 1940. The huge military contract, however, went to Ford and Willys. Bantam ended car production in 1941.

Source - AACA Museum
Speedster
 
The American Bantam was manufactured in Butler, PA, from 1938 to 1940. It was a descendant of the American Austin, manufactured at the same location from 1930 through 1933. American Austin filed for bankruptcy and was later purchased and re-opened under the name American Bantam, by Roy S. Evans. The cars were touted as an economy car, offering up to 60 mpg. The 45 cubic-inch inline four-cylinder engine with updraft carburetor produced approximately 20 horsepower. The transmission is a three-speed synchromesh by Warner. The Speedster is one of 13 body styles that were offered. Of this body style, there were approximately 323 vehicles produced from 1939 through 1940.
Roadster
 
Roadsters of the '20s and beyond had smoother and more powerful-lòòking bodies than their predecessors, including rumble seats and more attractive and functional tops. This auto fit perfectly into the tone of playfulness and success surrounding the roaring twenties and became a signature car for a new breed of country club businessmen.

Bantam cars, dependable and economical to operate were capable of speeds up to 40 miles per hour. The reasonable engine power combined wîth Bantam's stylish design made at a signature car for many people - some famous Bantam owners included Al Jolson, Buster Keaton and Ernest Hemingway.

Source - Frick Car 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.

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