Lord K's Garage #168: American Cousin

An Interbellum compact car made in the United States? Is it possible? Sure it is!

There was a true American Mini - the Crosley. But it wasn't the first try to re-engineer Yankee & Dixie drivers' mind, directing them towards smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles. As early as in 1929, the American Austin Car Company was founded in Butler, Pennsylvania in premises that had belonged to the Standard Steel Car Company. Their intention was to assemble and sell in the United States a version of the legendary Austin 7. After some initial success the Great Depression set in, and sales fell off to the point that production was suspended. In 1934 the company filed for bankruptcy.

Small cars such as never made it big in prewar America, but that didn't stop people from pushing them. Among the more energetic proponents was Roy S. Evans, who took over the moribund American Austin Car Company in 1935 with hopes of succeeding where Sir Herbert Austin had failed.

Evans' hopes were tempered by the Depression, which still seemed endless, and Austin's formidable debts: $75,000 in back taxes and interest, plus a $150,000 property mortgage to the Pullman Standard Company. But the federal court overseeing American Austin's bankruptcy felt Evans might salvage things, and gave him the place for only $5000 cash -- a mere 1/2000th of its appraised value. Evans secured a $250,000 loan from the Reconstruction Finance Corpora­tion, then hired the necessary talent to help him create a new car called American Bantam.

American Bantam Roadster by Zappadong, on Flickr

Like American Austin, the Bantam was styled by the artistic Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, who conjured a new front with a smooth hood and rounded grille, plus reworked fenders and rear deck. His bill was only $300, and Evans was able to retool the entire line for a mere $7,000.

1937 American Bantam De Luxe & Standard Coupe brochure artwork by Austin7nut, on Flickr

Indy race-car builder Harry Miller was hired to improve mechanicals, but lack of funds confined him to a redesigned manifold. Butler's own engineers replaced the Austin's expensive roller bearings with cheap babbitt bearings, and added full-pressure lubrication, a new three-speed transmission, Hotchkiss final drive, and Ross cam-and-lever steering. They also devised a heavier frame. Engine size was unchanged, but three main bearings were used instead of two after 1939. Wheel dia­meter shrank from 18 to 16 inches for 1937 and to 15 inches for 1938.

The debut 1936 Bantam line comprised a roadster and five coupes in the $295-$385 range. Two roadsters and three coupes were listed for '37 at somewhat higher prices ($385-$492).

Gas powered 1937ish Bantam model 60 in 1940s Brazil by Austin7nut, on Flickr

1938 Bantam Fire Engine by aldenjewell, on Flickr

1938 Bantam "60" Panel Delivery & Roadster via aldenjewell, on Flickr

1938 Bantam "60" Speedster & Station Wagon by aldenjewell, on Flickr

1938 Bantam 4-Passenger Foursome via aldenjewell, on Flickr

Several new models arrived for 1938, including a Speedster with pretty "Duesenberg sweep" side panels, and the novel Boulevard Delivery with a rear half-roof. For 1939 came a smart Riviera convertible, designed by the young Alex Tremulis, who later recalled that it could cruise at 75-80 mph and average 42.5 mpg -- a rather questionable claim.

1939 Bantam ad scanned and retouched by paul.malon, on Flickr

1939 Bantam Station Wagon via aldenjewell, on Flickr

1939 Bantam Roadster by aldenjewell, on Flickr

1939 Bantam Pickup by Jack_Snell, on Flickr

1940 American Bantam scanned and retouched by paul.malon, on Flickr

1940 American Bantam Roadster by Pat Durkin - Orange County, CA, on Flickr

Bantam '60' Pickup advert by Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam Boulevard  Delivery via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam production continued into 1941, but not even the dynamic Evans could convince Americans of the value in his tiny package. Output was about 2000 units in 1938, just 1229 the following year, under 1000 in 1940-41, then none.

Bantam Station Wagon via Austin7nut, on Flickr

1940 American Bantam Hollywood via Austin7nut, on Flickr

by sjb4photos, on Flickr

The firm found temporary salvation by winning a contract to design what became the World War II Army Jeep. Bantam built the first prototype, but the army was concerned about its ability to produce Jeeps in the quantities needed.

Bantam Scout Car - The original jeep via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Ford and Willys were supplied with Bantam's blueprints and asked to submit their own versions. Bantam received contracts for only 2,643 units, while Ford and Willys built more than 600,000 during the war. Bantam did get a contract to build two-wheel Jeeptrailers. The company produced utility trailers until 1956.

Bantam - The first Jeep via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Revamped Bantams - hotrods, dragsters, etc. - continued to race well into 1950s. Here are some amazing photographs from the collection of Austin7nut, on Flickr:

Bantam Coupe via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam dragster via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam Coupe via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam Roadster altered via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam profile dragster by Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam Coupe via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam Coupe via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam Coupe via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Bantam Coupe advert via Austin7nut, on Flickr

Text source: HowStuffWorks

Headline picture: via Austin7nut