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 a reported 800 produced in total in 1940; it has been nicely restored and looks especially sharp with its beige and “reddish-orange” presentation. The interior, steel wheels and pinstripping are featured in this bright tone and it stands out in a rich, complementary manner. The Bantam appears to be in very nice condition and is a “good running car”; it runs a 747-cc inline four-cylinder engine with a three-speed, floor-mounted manual transmission.

The design of the roadster is sure to attract attention with its great visual appeal and subtle “sweep-hand” body side pattern. The car has fender skirts and attractive brightwork trim; most notably the three fender skirt strakes per side. The color-keyed wheels have chrome hubcaps and are fitted with tasteful whitewall tires. The soft-top is presented in black. Other features found on this popular pre-war small car include rear-mounted spare, dual taillights, windshield “windwings” and a stylish radiator ornament.