American Austin

The American Austin Car Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1929 and headquartered in Butler, PA just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The business assembled little autos according to the Austin Seven of the Austin Motor Company of Birmingham, England. These autos were fuelefficient, economical, and mechanically uncomplicated.

The Ford Motor Company had developed an empire by providing autos which were useful as well as affordable. The American Austin Car Company was poised to bring that business plan a step further with their tiny vehicles. Most received 45.6 cubicinch fourcylinder engines that created about 15 hp. The transverse leaf springs within the front and semielliptic rear leaf springs supplied a suitably easily ride. As was the threespeed manual gearbox, the fourwheel mechanical brakes were acceptable. With the beginning of the Great Depression, reduced sticker price, and also approximately 40-mpg, the fortune of the business seemed to be blissful. Unfortunately, this is not the case and also the company fell into receivership in 1932, after only 10,000 examples was created. By 1934 they were out-of business entirely. In 1937 the business was named and revived American Bantam. Before production ceased entirely the organization remained in operation until 1941.

Sir Herbert Austin loved success with his Austin Seven mini-car in UK with strong revenue and much interest within the small vehicles. The several cities in Britain and narrow roadways was a quite appropriate place for that little vehicle. In 1929, Sir Herbert Austin introduced his automobiles to america in hopes of selling a franchise. He established the American Austin Car Company in Butler, Pennsylvania, and could procure funding from bankers in western Pennsylvania. To correctly 'American-ise' the vehicles to attract the preferences of the American people, the cars received flashier lines in similar manner to cars from Detroit. Hayes Body Company submitted proposals by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, a Russia count who had become their art director. Quickly the business started providing their coupes and roadsters. They marketed in a booklet with all the illustration done by Esquire artist Lawrence Fellows. Perhaps the most attractive facet of the automobile was its cost, which began at $445 creating it-one of the very affordable vehicles in the available on the marketplace. Unfortunately, its contest was the similarly-priced, however larger, Ford Model A.

The American Austin cars received a Bantam rooster as its mascot that has been put in the radiator cap. Under the bonnet was really an engine which was almost an exact duplicate of the types identified within the British vehicles. As 1930 found an in depth, a total of 8558 illustrations was produced. The next year 1,279 were made and also the business entered into receivership. By 1934, creation was prevented. Shortly afterward, Roy Evans, a Florida dealer, commissioned Sakhnoffsky to modernize the vehicles styling and reorganized the business to the American Bantam Car Business.

The brand new Bantam car was launched in late 1937 and creation would continue until WWII. Throughout the War, the business could secure a contract with all the US Military to create the Jeep, nevertheless their small factory capability meant they'd quickly loose the contract to Ford and Willys. For the length of the war, the organization created utility trailers. The organization stayed in operation until 1956, when civilian production resumed.

This 1933 American Austin Model 375 Coupe was offered for sale in the Classic Motor-cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $3,000 - $5,000 and offered without reservation. It sold for $1,375 including buyer's premium.

The 375 showcased a L - head engine that created 14 hp and displaced 46 cubicinches. There is a fourwheel mechanical drum brakes and threespeed manual transmissions. The 75inch wheelbase was held in position with a solid front axle with transverse leaf springs plus a live rear axle with quarterelliptic leaf springs.

This specific case is really in need of a significant renovation. It was disassembled several years back and its restoration and rebuild was never finished. Part of the deal contained its radiator, headlights, hood and front fender. Your body is noted to be strong and straight however, the cloth roof is in quite bad condition.

The American Austin was assembled in Butler, PA from 1930 34. Several years after the American Bantam went into creation and was constructed from 1938 41.

The American Austin was a magnificently-designed car but Americans were not prepared for that compact vehicle. (A Ford Model A offered for about the same cost.)

The chassis wheelbase is 75 inches. Horsepower is developed 15 by the four-cylinder motor. Five body types were available.

This American Austin was restored to the highest specifications from the present owner's late father. It's the recipient of an Antique Car Club of America Senior Trophy in addition to a Grand National award.