1931 American Austin Seven

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 comfortable 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.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer

In 1929, the American Austin Car Company set up shop in Butler, Pennsylvania, and in the following decade proved that America, despite the Great Depression, was not ready for a tiny, economy car. The first versions were 1930 models, with chassis and running gear like the English Austin seven, and coachwork designed by the renowned Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and executed by Detroit's Hayes Body Company. The car was 16 inches narrower and 28 inches shorter than any other American automobile of the period, and guaranteed 40 miles to the gallon.

The public, however, was evidently unprepared to pay a list price that was higher than a Ford or Chevrolet, despite the improved mileage figures. Nevertheless, the little car got plenty of publicity as Buster Keaton and other celebrities took delivery; the 'Our Gang' comedy movies adopted the Austin immediately, as did popular cartoonists. In the meantime, public enamor with the ford Model A's resulted in Austin being in receivership by 1932. Production ceased in 1936, but the car returned with all-new styling by de Sakhnoffsky for 1937, now called the American Bantam. The company designed and built the first successful Jeep prototypes for the U.S. Army in 1940-but in 1941, was out of business.

by Frick Car Museum

Tourer

The engine is a 45 CID, 15 HP inline 4 cylinder unit with a top speed of 55 mph and 40 mpg.

It is equipped with Thermo-syphon cooling, and the transmission is a 3-speed unit with reverse gear. The original price was $445.00

1500 Roadsters were produced from 1930-1934.

Roadster

Making its debut in 1930, the American Austin was the first full-featured American microcar suitable for family use. Nicknamed 'Bantam,' after the feisty little roadster, the American Austin gained notoriety in the early 1930s, when comedians such as W.C. Field and Buster Keaton used the Roadster version in their firms.

Though the name 'Austin' was licensed from the British Austin Motor Company, the final design of the American Austin adopted only a handful of the mechanical specs of its similarly sized English cousin. Everything else was redesigned. Introduced in October of 1930 with a $445 list price, the Roadster was one of five Austin body styles offered for 1931. The automaker's Butler, Pennsylvania factory would produce just 1,279 small cars that year.

The Roadster spans a 75-inch wheelbase and provides seating for two adults on its extra-wide (for an Austin) front seat. Its stylishly two-toned steel body was designed by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and built by the Hayes Body Corporation. Disc wheels with a rear-mounted spare were standard. Powered by Austin's 14 horsepower, 41 cubic-inch side valve L-4 engine, the Roadster weighed a slender 1,020 lbs. Owners reported fuel consumption in the 45-50 mpg range.

Unfortunately, the difficult economic times of the early 1930s hugely eroded the disposable income of potential customers for the well-regarded small car. The American Austin Car Company closed down in 1935.

Roadster

The American Austin is an American-built car that was manufactured in Butler, PA, from 1930 until 1935. American Austin produced a little over 22,000 cars of all types.

There were approximately 1,500 American Austin roadsters built from 1931 until 1935. This vehicle is the 33rd roadster made and one of approximately 63 known to exist.

The car is powered by a four-cylinder engine developing 14 horsepower. The car weighs 1,040 pounds and sold new for $395.