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1938 American Bantam Series 60 Navigation
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
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
2025 Broad Arrow Auctions : Academy of Art University Collection
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $25,000-USD $35,000
Sale Price :
USD $39,200
2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $35,000-USD $55,000
Sale Price :
USD $90,200
1938 American Bantam Series 60 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the American Bantam Series 60
(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 American Bantam Model 60 Roadster Chassis#: 62109 Sold for USD$39,200 2025 Broad Arrow Auctions : Academy of Art University Collection | ![]() |
1938 American Bantam Roadster Chassis#: 62500 Sold for USD$23,100 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bantam Roadster Chassis#: A61231 Sold for USD$28,000 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Enthusiast Auction | |
1938 American Bantam Boulevard Delivery Chassis#: 60365 Sold for USD$39,200 2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 American Bantam Roadster Chassis#: 62500 Sold for USD$25,850 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1938 American Bantam Roadster Chassis#: 62187 Sold for USD$26,880 2020 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1938 American Bantam Roadster Chassis#: 6140638 Sold for USD$27,500 2015 RM Sotheby's Hershey Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1938 Bantam Boulevard Delivery Chassis#: 60365 Sold for USD$42,350 2015 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours | ![]() ![]() |
1938 American Bantam Roadster Chassis#: 62562 Sold for USD$44,000 2015 Gooding & Company - Arizona | ![]() |
1938 AMERICAN BANTAM PICKUP Sold for USD$33,600 2014 McCormick's - Palm Springs # 56 | |
1938 AMERICAN BANTAM PICKUP Sold for USD$33,600 2014 McCormick's - Palm Springs # 56 | |
1938 American Bantam Roadster w/Custom Wooden Boat & Trailer Chassis#: 11US0008083 Sold for USD$30,800 2012 Worldwide - The Auburn Auction | |
1938 American Bantam Roadster Chassis#: 62109 Sold for USD$90,200 2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | ![]() |
1938 American Bantam Cabriolet Chassis#: 66007 Sold for USD$19,800 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | |
1938 Bantam Boulevard Delivery Sold for USD$42,900 2010 RM Auctions - Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale |
American Bantam Series 60s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 American Bantam Series 60's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 Bantam Roadster | 2016 Russo & Steele : Arizona |
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1938 American Bantam Series 60
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