1938 American Bantam Series 60 Roadster

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