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Details
1939 AMERICAN BANTAM MODEL SIXTY SPEEDSTER "PHAETON"
Chassis No. 64631
Engine No. 64584
Red and black with red interior
Engine: four-cylinder in line, side valves, 50 cu. in., 22bhp; Gearbox: manual three speed; Suspension: beam axle with transverse leaf spring to front, live axle with quarter elliptic leaf springs to rear; Brakes: four wheel mechanical drum. Left hand drive.
The lively American Austin, powered by a tiny four-cylinder engine that offered a petrol consumption of 40mpg, brought European ideas about economy motoring to the USA at the beginning of the depression era. There was a quality level of engineering in miniature with the English-built Austin Seven on which the Bantam was based. Noted stylist Alexis de Sakhnoffsky had a hand in the neat styling of the car that presented a trim little package but one hardly taken seriously by Americans. It could take two cozy adults and their luggage from Rhode Island to Oregon at forty miles to a gallon of gasoline, but the cheapest models from the big corporations competed directly on price and offered much more space and a softer ride. In terms of value for money, it was no contest and despite renaming and restyling, production was at an end in 1934.
The ever-optimistic Roy Evans tried again in 1937, forming the American Bantam Car Company. Once again de Sakhnoffsky was asked to bring out his sketch pad and the Bantams emerged as a pretty little range of roadsters, speedsters and coupes with modestly enhanced performance from an engine given improved manifolding. But the day of the mini-car had not yet arrived in America and production ceased after only 800 were sold in 1940.
This Bantam Speedster was sold new to an owner in West Virginia. The car remained in the second owner's care for 40 years until purchased for the Pettit collection. Mr. Pettit had chased this car for 40 years. The interior is original but has been repainted. Speedsters are the rarest and most sought-after of all Bantams.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Chassis No. 64631
Engine No. 64584
Red and black with red interior
Engine: four-cylinder in line, side valves, 50 cu. in., 22bhp; Gearbox: manual three speed; Suspension: beam axle with transverse leaf spring to front, live axle with quarter elliptic leaf springs to rear; Brakes: four wheel mechanical drum. Left hand drive.
The lively American Austin, powered by a tiny four-cylinder engine that offered a petrol consumption of 40mpg, brought European ideas about economy motoring to the USA at the beginning of the depression era. There was a quality level of engineering in miniature with the English-built Austin Seven on which the Bantam was based. Noted stylist Alexis de Sakhnoffsky had a hand in the neat styling of the car that presented a trim little package but one hardly taken seriously by Americans. It could take two cozy adults and their luggage from Rhode Island to Oregon at forty miles to a gallon of gasoline, but the cheapest models from the big corporations competed directly on price and offered much more space and a softer ride. In terms of value for money, it was no contest and despite renaming and restyling, production was at an end in 1934.
The ever-optimistic Roy Evans tried again in 1937, forming the American Bantam Car Company. Once again de Sakhnoffsky was asked to bring out his sketch pad and the Bantams emerged as a pretty little range of roadsters, speedsters and coupes with modestly enhanced performance from an engine given improved manifolding. But the day of the mini-car had not yet arrived in America and production ceased after only 800 were sold in 1940.
This Bantam Speedster was sold new to an owner in West Virginia. The car remained in the second owner's care for 40 years until purchased for the Pettit collection. Mr. Pettit had chased this car for 40 years. The interior is original but has been repainted. Speedsters are the rarest and most sought-after of all Bantams.
WITHOUT RESERVE