1940 American Bantam Riviera

The American Austin Car Company was founded in 1929 in Butler, Pennsylvania, in the former Standard Steel Car Company factory. The car they produced was a version of the popular European Austin 7 to be sold in the United States as the American Austin. Initially successful, the Great Depression soon dwindled sales to the point that production was suspended. The company was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1934 after approximately 20,000 cars had been built. The company's best year was its first year when over 8,000 examples were sold.

The small American Austin was powered by a 747cc inline four-cylinder engine that provided a top speed of around 50 mph while delivering 40 mpg. The bodies were designed by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and made by the Hayes Body Company of Detroit. The coupes were called sedans and sold for $445, only slightly less than the Ford V8 roadster.

One of Austin's former salesman, Roy Evans, acquired the company out of bankruptcy in 1935 and reorganized the company as the American Bantam. It retained a relationship with the U.K. Austin Company but severed all formal ties and connections. Follow styling changes by Sakhnoffsky to the design, production resumed in 1937 and continued through 1941 with approximately 6,000 examples built. Several body styles were offered including a woodie station wagon, roadster, coupe, convertible, and truck.

The American Bantam was the inspiration for Donald Duck's car.

With World War II threatening, Bantam poured much of its thin resources into developing the prototype Jeep in hopes of securing the lucrative U.S. contract. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain, as Willys - and later Ford - went on to build the Jeep. Bantam ceased production forever in 1941.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020