1939 American Bantam Model 63 Roadster
Chassis no. 63871
Engine no. 63776
747cc L-Head Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
15bhp (rated)
3-Speed Transmission
Front, Transverse, Rear, Quarter Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Offered from the Two Generations Collection
*Styled by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky
*Fun pre-war sporting car modeled on British Austin Seven


THE AMERICAN BANTAM

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 necessitating another new look.

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.

THE CAR OFFERED

The '39 Bantam here was formerly owned by Joe Henry of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and is understood that his family had acquired the car in 2004 from a museum north of Branson, Missouri where he was told it had resided since the mid-1960s. He had parted with the car once, only to have re-acquired it in 2010. In the ensuing years between his ownerships, it had been restored in 2007. The highly original, previously silver with a red interior car, had in its 2007 refurbishment seen this changed to the scheme we see here today which matches color charts for the marque, of a burgundy hue which Bantam termed as Granby red, this is offset with butterscotch wheels shod with whitewall tires and a matched interior. Photos of this work being carried out are on file.

American Bantams were another collecting penchant of the Two Generations collectors, this being one of three that would grace the collection, it arriving during the early pandemic in May 2020 having been acquired on eBay motors. Today its 17 year old restoration has light aging to the paintwork, chips and scuffs to the most used leading edges of doors and hood for example. The interior carpet is well worn, but its top complete with framework appears to be in good order. Its running condition is not known and so Bonhams would advise a cursory recommissioning before pootling around your neighborhood.