1939 American Bantam Model 60

Roadster

The American Austin Car Company was established in 1929 north of Pittsburgh in Butler, Pennsylvania. The early cars were designed to appeal to buyers and combat the effects of the Depression on automobiles sales. The company later changed their name to the American Bantam Car Company, and produced a new economy vehicle called the Bantam. Nine different models of the Bantam Coupe were offered in 1940 through 1941, with prices ranging from $399 to $575. The convertible had a base price of $525, compared to $850 for a Ford convertible.

Roadsters of the 1920s and beyond had smoother and more powerful-lòòking bodies than their predecessors, including rumble seats and more attractive and functional tops. This auto fit perfectly into the tone of playfulness and success surrounding the roaring twenties and became a signature car for a new breed of country club businessmen.

Bantam cars, dependable and economical to operate were capable of speeds up to 40 miles per hour. The reasonable engine power combined wîth Bantam's stylish design made at a signature car for many people - some famous Bantam owners included Al Jolson, Buster Keaton and Ernest Hemingway.

As World War II became imminent, the Bantam was adapted for use as a reconnaissance vehicle.

by Frick Car Museum

Speedster

American Bantam was a descendant of the American Austin, manufactured at the same location from 1930 through 1933. American Austin filed for bankruptcy and was later purchased and re-opened under the name American Bantam, by Roy S. Evans. The cars were touted as an economy car, offering up to 60 mpg. The 45 cubic-inch inline four-cylinder engine with updraft carburetor produced approximately 20 horsepower. The transmission is a three-speed synchromesh by Warner. The Speedster is one of 13 body styles that were offered. Of this body style, there were approximately 323 vehicles produced from 1939 through 1940.

Roadster

The Bantam was the successor to the American Austin, built at Butler from 1930 to 1934. Both cars were small, fuel-efficient and attractive in design. Bantam branded its cars with names like 'Riviera' and 'Hollywood' in direct contradiction to its shoestring budget. Perhaps Bantam's most enduring achievement was the production of the first successful 'Jeep' for the U.S. Army in 1940. The huge military contract, however, went to Ford and Willys. Bantam ended car production in 1941.

by AACA Museum

Deluxe Roadster
Chassis number: 64001

Even after the tiny car market failed in 1934, the creator of the American Austin, Roy Evans, refused to give up. By 1937, a revised and modernized version appeared, dubbed the American Bantam. Power was from a 50 cubic-inch, four-cylinder engine. The engine was given some fine-tuning by famed racing engineer Harry Miller, while Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky skillfully updated the Bantam line with an up-to-date, streamlined design. For his service, Saknoffsky was paid the sum of $300.

The Bantam, like the Austin, was small and economical. Unfortunately, these were not qualities that impressed buyers of the late 1930s. Fewer than 7,000 were produced before production ended for good in in 1941. In the company's final months of operation, they developed a small prototype military vehicle, with mass-production of which being handled by Ford. It would come to be known as the Jeep.

This Model 62 Deluxe Roadster was given a high-quality restoration and finished in blue and cream. Inside, there is brown leather upholstery and a wood-grained dashboard. The Deluxe trim includes chrome trim strips on the radiator shell, wheel trim rings, and a two-tone 'sweep panel' finish.

The L-head four-cylinder engine displays 50 cubic-inches and offers 23 horsepower. The car has a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Speedster
Chassis number: 64027

This American Bantam Model 60 Speedster is one of 323. The American Bantam was manufactured in Butler, PA from 1938 through 1940. The American Austin had been manufactured at the same location from 1930 through 1933, during the height of the Great Depression. American Austin filed for bankruptcy and was later acquired and re-opened using the name American Bantam, by Roy S. Evans.

These were small, utilitarian, and economical vehicles that claimed to have up to 60 mpg. Power was from a 45 cubic-inch inline four-cylinder engine fitted with updraft carburetor and produced approximately 20 horsepower. The transmission were a three-speed unit produced by Warner and featuring synchromesh.

Around 13 body styles were available, with just 323 examples of the Speedster produced during its lifespan.

This example has been restored to Concours standards. It has been finished in two-tone Maroon and Silver combination with a Duesenberg-like sweep panel on each side. In 2018, this Speedster was offered for sale at the Hollywood Motors 'Amelia Island Select' auction where it had a pre-auction estimated value of $40,000 - $50,000.

by Dan Vaughan

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 comfortably 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