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HOME PAGE OF THE AMERICAN AUSTIN AND AMERICAN BANTAM CARS |
American Austin long-distance traveler |
August 10-13, 2009 Make plans now to attend the 46th Annual American Austin Bantam Club National Meet Batavia, New York For information, eMail Gene: eloomis1@rochester.rr.com |
The American Austin Bantam Club bears no responsibility for their content or accuracy or for the results of transactions engaged with their owners. All content (c) copyright 2009 American Austin Bantam Club. No portion may be reproduced without permission. All content is contributed by amateurs for general enjoyment; no guarantee of accuracy is guaranteed or implied. Therefore the Club and its members may not be held responsible for any damages - financial or physical- resulting from the application of this content. Do so at your own risk; consult with a professional mechanic before you start. |
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orphanbabycars @yahoo.com Website updated on June 4, 2009 |
February 3, 2009 - Imagine pining for a car for nearly 50 years. There it was, always in sight but just out of reach high atop a pole overlooking a used car lot. It's the true story of one persistent American Austin Bantam Club member and a seldom seen Series 475 American Austin coupe fitted with dozens of neon lights. Read the rest of the story in the January/February 2009 issue of the American Austin Bantam Club News. Also in this issue, you'll see every American Bantam Boulevard Delivery truck known to remain. Fewer than 10% of the 70 that were manufactured have survived. If you know of a Boulevard Delivery that's not in Club News, we want to hear from you. In 1941, reporters clamored to ride in the Army's new "jitterbug car," the all new Bantam BRC-40--the first "jeep." Two unusual period photos highlight the BRCs in less combative uses. Need an Austin or Bantam camshaft? Do you know the difference? Check out the Club News quick review of camshafts and timing gears before you make the investment. Perhaps the most notorious modern-day ambassador of Sir Herbert Austin's baby car is John Coleman, the author of "Coleman's Drive: From Buenos Aires to New York in a Vintage Baby Austin." In 1959, Coleman made the rigorous drive in a refurbished 1925 Austin Chummy. Mr. Coleman shares a few memories with one of our members from Scotland. |
Footage of past mini-meets now on YouTube. Canandaigua, New York August 15-17, 2008 Click here: video from the mini-meet Manchester, New Hampshire September 20-21, 2008 Click here to see the video |
Austin on a stick is rescued |
April 9, 2009 - For the first time ever, the 14th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida included a dedicated class for American Austin and American Bantam cars. Seven owners participated and the cars drew a huge crowd. The American Austin also drew crowds when it was first introduced to the public on June 28, 1930. Wrapped in secrecy until its unveiling, the new American Austin was a huge publicity event wherever it appeared. Scores of onlookers wanted the first glimpse of America's first economy car. Businesses gave away Austin coupes as grand prizes of contests. Daredevils handcuffed themselves to the cars steering wheels as they attempted to set endurance driving records. One man in the Midwest drove an Austin for 45 days non-stop. Read about his adventure and see the vintage photos in this month's Club News. Learn how to diagnose your own capacitor failures, make your own Bantam choke knob, and more in the March-April issue of the American Austin Bantam Club News. |
The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance drew crowds. |
1939 American Bantam speedster |
1938 American Bantam roadster |
Handsomely attired to drive a Boulevard Delivery. |
A fashionable model stands next to the 1938 Bantam Boulevard Delivery. |
1939 Bantam station wagon. |
1931 American Austin roadster. |
The marque car tour stopped in downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida. |
1940 American Bantam Riviera. |
A 1933 American Austin coupe graces the lawn of The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach, which doubled as the show field for the Concours. |
Photos courtesy of G. Schmidt, K. Harber and M. Becker. |
This fine 1939 Bantam Boulevard Delivery was featured in the January-February 2009 issue of Club News, along with every other known example to exist today. Photo courtesy of W. Phillippi. |
American Austin and Bantam cars at Amelia Island |
T. Frank Cheaney drove his 1934 Austin Coupe on his long distance travels. |
June 4, 2009 - Austins and Bantams have logged millions of miles since their inceptions. But precious few drivers west of the Atlantic relied on them for long-distance driving. In 1946, Jack Rittenhouse wrote the first tour guide of America's now-famous Route 66 at the wheel of his 1940 Bantam coupe. John Coleman drove his 1928 Austin Seven from South America to New York in 1959. Although remarkable, these feats pale in comparison to those of "Fearless Frank" Cheaney, a club member who logged thousands of miles in his Austin coupe. Most remarkable of all was that he lived long enough to accomplish them. Read more about Frank's life in the May/June issue of the American Austin Bantam Club News. Also in this issue, a rare photo of four BRC-40 "jeeps" in final review before a U.S. army general, a discussion about Austin tops, some funny vintage Austin Seven photographs, Bantam Super 4 advertisements, and observations about hood ornaments. Club News is the official magazine of the American Austin Bantam Club and is made available to its members only. For your own copy, join the American Austin Bantam Club today! |
Poster courtesy of G. Loomis. |