Herbert Austin, the famous English industrialist, believed in his small car, the Austin 7, which he sold in many countries around the globe. Even the first BMW passenger car, called the "Dixie," was built under licensing from Austin. With the onset of the Great Depression, America seemed to be the next logical market for a small, thrifty automobile. Thus, in 1929 the American Austin Co. was founded in Butler, PA.
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About 20,000 American Austins of various body styles were manufactured until 1934, when the company went into receivership. Apparently, the American public was not ready for a miniature automobile! The company enjoyed a short revival from 1938-'40, when another 8,200 of the little cars, now called "American Bantam," were produced.
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Looking fabulous, due to involvement by famous Art Deco designer Alex de Sakhnoffsky, the U.S.-built Austin was very popular; it became an instant Hollywood star, too, being featured in the "Our Gang" films and finding favor with the likes of W.C. Fields, Al Jolson, and Ernest Hemingway!
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The 1931 American Austin 5-window Coupe featured here, VIN *L8154*, is as original and unmolested as they come and special in many ways. For starters, it's a low-mileage example: the 38,495 miles shown on the odometer are said to be actual, total miles. We believe it, since, for the last 50 years, the car was only used in the annual 4th of July parade!
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How's that for provenance: the diminutive Coupé was purchased by its second owner, a Lady from Lancaster, California, in the fall of 1955, and she finally signed off on the 54-year-old title in December of 2009!
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You simply don't see 'em like this anymore: the original California "pink slip," thin as tissue paper, dating back to 1956, and its original mailing envelope. A prime collectible in itself, it is still valid to this day.
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A stack of old registrations to cement the car's pedigree.
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Being a 79-year-old California resident, this American Austin has remained free of the deadly rust cancer. While the black fenders have a few--virtually unavoidable--dings, the body shell is in excellent condition. Paint is old, very old, indeed. Anyone can cosmetically restore an old car, but to find a richly patinated, lovely original like this one is almost unheard of!
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With its short 75in. wheelbase, low 1,100lbs. weight, and peppy 14hp engine, the American Austin is a good performer. The 750cc engine starts on the button, shows great oil pressure, doesn't smoke or leak.
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Simplicity reigns inside the cab. Original steering wheel looks fabulous. Even the horn works and sounds marvelous. Hinged windshield opens at the bottom, providing factory air conditioning on demand. All the glass is in excellent condition throughout.
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Gauges are fantastically well preserved, and they all work. It's hard to beat a low-mileage find like this!
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Upholstery was freshened sometime in the 1950s and has survived in remarkably good nick. Fabric headliner, door panels, and seat covering are free of rips, tears, odors, or rodent damage.
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Large disc wheels sport a set of brand new, period-looking 450-18 LUCAS tires and tubes.
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The cute Austin is ready to be enjoyed, be it as a fine conversation piece in a private collection, a most fun parade car, or for occasional pleasure trips back in time to a kinder, gentler world filled with Model Ts, As, and other horseless carriages.
Not one, but two marque-specific, nationwide clubs keep the American Austin/Bantam flame alive with frequent outings and newsletters. Mechanical spares are also readily available.
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The pint-sized car attracts amazing amounts of attention wherever it is shown.
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Headlights, brights, taillights, brake and license plate lights all work. Note original spare rim with vintage tire.
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Certainly a highlight is the car's amazingly clean, untouched undercarriage. Click on the image on the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) |
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Fragile, "swiss cheese" frame rails are flawless. Wood-and-steel frame construction shows neither rust nor rot!
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To find an almost 80-year-old, unrestored, running and driving automobile of any kind is a rare occurrence. To unearth a precious American Austin survivor is like finding the needle in a haystack. As easy to keep as a Ford Model A, the lilliputian Austin will put a smile on your face whenever you lay eyes on it. Where would you ever find another one like it?
Addendum:
We sold this American Bantam in 2010 to an enthusiast couple from Colorado.
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