austinbantamclub

The American Austin Bantam Club holds its annual meet in a
different location every year. By allowing a variety of members to
host the events, members have an opportunity to virtually tour
the United States (and Canada) in their American Austin and
American Bantam cars and trucks. Each year, attendees
sightsee while reacquainting themselves with old friends and
some very memorable characters.

One of the most admired club characters was "Fearless Frank"
Cheaney, known for his legendary escapades. In 1935, Cheaney
drove a 1930 Austin panel truck from Columbia, South Carolina,
north into Canada, west to the Canadian Rockies, and then
south--way south--to Mexico City. He and his 13-horsepower
Austin traveled an unbelievable 20,000 miles in just three
months!

Cheaney was an Austin enthusiast long before the club was
formed. And he was one of its earliest members. No matter
where the American Austin Bantam Club meet was held, Frank
was sure to be there. In 1966, the aging Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
farmer drove his "Silver Flivver"--a road weary 1934 Austin coupe
painted silver--to the meet in Anderson, Indiana. The following
year, Frank and his Austin trekked north to Canada to attend
Expo '67in Montreal. Within 60 days, he had been spotted in
Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Isle and New
Brunswick--a respectable 10,000 miles!

Frank was in better shape than the Flivver for the 1969 meet in
Morris, New York. His tired engine required an overnight tear
down for a crankshaft replacement before driving home. Fearless
Frank attended the next few meets, but his Austin stayed home.

In 1975, Frank decided to drive his Silver Flivver to Canada one
more time. On his way to an antique automobile convention, his
wheels slipped off the side of the road and the Austin flipped
over. Unharmed, the elderly gentleman crawled out, righted his
car and made a few makeshift repairs with wire and duct tape.
Wisely, Frank turned tail and headed back home.

Frank and his legendary silver Austin were notably absent from
the meet in 1977. Mysteriously, neither were ever seen again.

Frank Cheaney was not the only "big wheel" to show up at an
American Austin Bantam Club meet. Former American Bantam
Car Company president Roy S. Evans joined us in Mount
Pleasant, Iowa, in 1970. At the 1975 meet in Kankakee, Illinois,
a rare 1941 BRC fire truck was delivered to Evans. He slipped
behind the wheel of a BRC for the first time in 30 years. No
doubt, the rugged little truck brought Evans back to some of the
most exciting years of his life.

Why not make your own exciting memories? Make plans now to
attend the next American Austin Bantam Club meet. Members
are encouraged to bring their cars, regardless of condition. If
your car needs work, this is the place to find the mechanics.
Don't forget to bring your camera, for you'll see some of the
finest American Austin and Bantam cars in the country.

National meets have been held in 20 states and Canada.

American Austin Bantam Club members have gathered in
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The annual meet has been held
seven times in Butler, Pennsylvania and six times in Indiana.