Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America’s Hilton Head event, November 5, 2016.
Chassis No.
A8526
Estimate:
$ 28,000 - $ 34,000 US
Founded as the American Austin Car Company in 1929 with factory facilities in Butler, Pennsylvania; the American Austin is considered to be the first “micro cars.” The first cars were produced in 1930 with coachwork courtesy of Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. 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 forming the American Bantam Car Company.
This fully-restored 1930 American Austin is finished with two-tone red paintwork and matching red “disc” wheels. The exterior is complete with chrome-plated bumpers and a polished grille shell. Under the hood is a 750-cc, 13-hp inline four-cylinder engine connected to a four-speed manual transmission. The interior is completed with beautiful cork leather upholstery that also covers the door panels; and a dashboard with gauges.
