|
|
ANNUAL MEETS
Austin & Bantam meets are memorable affairs
In 2005, 80 American Austin & Bantam vehicles, including a Bantam semi- truck, returned to Butler, PA.
The owner of this 1939 Bantam roadster checks
his 5-gallon tank at a vintage Phillips 66 station
near Carthage, Missouri.
This American Austin Bantam Club member
found a restorable Bantam coupe at the
meet and drove it "as is" on the car tour.
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!
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!
All content (c) copyright 2012 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.
at your own risk; consult with a professional mechanic before you start.
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, six times in Indiana, and twice in Ontario, Canada.
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, six times in Indiana, and twice in Ontario, Canada.
Fearless Frank Cheaney and his Silver Flivver, a 1934 Austin coupe.