Initially founded as the American Austin Car Company in 1929 with factory facilities in Butler, Pennsylvania; they produced their first cars in 1930 with coachwork designed by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and is frequently described as “adorable” and “cute.” The cars garnered plenty of attention with celebrity owners such as Al Jolson, Ernest Hemmingway and Buster Keaton. Our Gang loved the car, as did cartoonists and radio comedians. When Walt Disney penned a car for Donald Duck, it was inspired by the Bantam Roadster.

The American public; however, was not ready for a small, economical car and soon the company was in receivership. After helping to keep American Austin afloat for two years through his master abilities as a salesman; Roy Evans rescued the company by the formation of the American Bantam Car Company. In September 1937, the American Bantam made its debut at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York.

This American Bantam Roadster is one of 1,229 produced in total in 1938; it has had a full restoration and was acquired by its current owner in 2005 out of Louisiana. The Bantam is reported to be in nice condition and is described as a “good running car”; it runs the more advanced 50.1-cid, 22-hp four-cylinder engine with three main bearings. A Bantam specialist has freshened mechanical components and installed a down-draft carburetor to improve drivability. The Bantam has a three-speed, floor-mounted manual transmission.

The design of the roadster is sure to attract attention with its great visual appeal. It is painted in a factory-inspired two-tone design with red over the white “sweep-hand” pattern. The interior is also finished in red with handsome white-faced instrumentation. The car has fender skirts and attractive brightwork trim. The color-keyed wheels have chrome hubcaps and trim rings and are fitted with wide whitewall tires. The removable top is tan in color; the top comes off – it does not go down. All appropriate top bows are with the Bantam. Other features found on this popular pre-war small car include rear-mounted spare, dual mirrors, dual taillights, windshield “windwings” and a stylish radiator ornament.