Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 501
1940 American Bantam Model 64 Super Roadster Chassis no. 64259 Engine no. 64190
Sold for US$22,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 501
1940 American Bantam Model 64 Super Roadster
1940 American Bantam Model 64 Super Roadster
Chassis no. 64259
Engine no. 64190
Chassis no. 64259
Engine no. 64190
747cc L-Head Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
15bhp (rated)
3-Speed Transmission
Solid Axles with Front Transverse Semi-Elliptic Spring and Twin Quarter Elliptic Springs Rear
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
*Styled by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky
*Fun pre-war sporting car modeled on British Austin Seven
*Every collection should have one!
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
When the imported English Austin was restyled by Alex de Saknoffsky in 1935 to celebrate the launch of the new Bantam Corporation, it was cutting-edge American design. More than 20,000 of the American Austins were built under license to Austin of England, but even though the boxy style had been restyled in 1929 by de Saknoffsky, to look like a small Chevrolet, by 1935 it was looking dated.
The market for very small cars was tough in the US anyway, because of the size of the country and only 6,200 of the stylish new roadsters, pickups and woody wagons found buyers between 1937 and 1941. But they were improved in significant ways.
Nobody made much money on the redesign – de Saknoffsky was paid only $300, for example, but racing legend Harry Miller converted the 747cc, splash-lubrication engine to full-pressure lubrication and converted it to Babbitt-bearings. The result was much better durability and the price for the whole retooling was a bargain $7,000.
By 1940 the Bantam was part of the American landscape, at least as a surburban commuter and local delivery truck. The appetite was waning though, with only 800 Bantams of all bodystyles sold in 1940, however those who did buy them received an improved model boasting 3-main bearing engines, bigger brakes, Monroe shocks and headlights in the fenders.
The '40 Bantam here is an example of their Model 64 Super Roadster which is presented in a rarely chosen paint scheme of silver grey with red side panels, and offset by red wheels with whitewall tires. Acquired for the collection from California many years ago, the car is understood to have been run on occasions but not recently, and on inspection it was noted that the steering column mounting at the dash needs attention.
An undeniably pretty, fun piece of Americana.
Single Updraft Carburetor
15bhp (rated)
3-Speed Transmission
Solid Axles with Front Transverse Semi-Elliptic Spring and Twin Quarter Elliptic Springs Rear
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
*Styled by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky
*Fun pre-war sporting car modeled on British Austin Seven
*Every collection should have one!
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
When the imported English Austin was restyled by Alex de Saknoffsky in 1935 to celebrate the launch of the new Bantam Corporation, it was cutting-edge American design. More than 20,000 of the American Austins were built under license to Austin of England, but even though the boxy style had been restyled in 1929 by de Saknoffsky, to look like a small Chevrolet, by 1935 it was looking dated.
The market for very small cars was tough in the US anyway, because of the size of the country and only 6,200 of the stylish new roadsters, pickups and woody wagons found buyers between 1937 and 1941. But they were improved in significant ways.
Nobody made much money on the redesign – de Saknoffsky was paid only $300, for example, but racing legend Harry Miller converted the 747cc, splash-lubrication engine to full-pressure lubrication and converted it to Babbitt-bearings. The result was much better durability and the price for the whole retooling was a bargain $7,000.
By 1940 the Bantam was part of the American landscape, at least as a surburban commuter and local delivery truck. The appetite was waning though, with only 800 Bantams of all bodystyles sold in 1940, however those who did buy them received an improved model boasting 3-main bearing engines, bigger brakes, Monroe shocks and headlights in the fenders.
The '40 Bantam here is an example of their Model 64 Super Roadster which is presented in a rarely chosen paint scheme of silver grey with red side panels, and offset by red wheels with whitewall tires. Acquired for the collection from California many years ago, the car is understood to have been run on occasions but not recently, and on inspection it was noted that the steering column mounting at the dash needs attention.
An undeniably pretty, fun piece of Americana.
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