1938 American Bantam Series 60 Roadster

Roy Evans was the creator of the American Austin Company, and his belief in the tiny car market and their product led to perseverance beyond the failure of the business in 1934. By 1937, a new company called the American Bantam had been created and they were producing a revised and modernized version of its predecessor. Built in a factory in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Bantam was powered by a 50 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine that had been built with assistance from racing engineer Harry Miller. Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky was commissioned to pen the streamlined design, earning the princely sum of $300 for his services.

Like the American Austin, the Bantam was small and economical. Its styling and visual appeal far exceeded its utilitarian purpose, but it failed to impress buyers of the late 1930s. Before production ceased in 1941, fewer than 7,000 examples had been built. During the company's final months of existence, they developed a small prototype military vehicle, with mass-production being handled by Ford. It would come to be known as the Jeep.

1938 American Bantam Roadster
This Bantam, chassis number 62500, wears a two-tone paint scheme with a maroon interior and white-faced instrumentation. There is a tan removable top, dual wipers, dual taillights, rear fender skirts over color-keyed wheels with chrome hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewall tires, a hood ornament, and windshield wind wings.

Per a numbered 'Fergus Motors of New York City' tag on the dashboard, this car may have been sold or serviced at that dealership. It was once owned by Los Angeles collector Don Appel and was acquired by the current caretaker in August 2020.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024