Car Spot: 1937 Bantam Roadster

From the same company that built the first Jeep

My first thought when “small cars” are mentioned is the 70s with the Japanese imports and domestics like the Pinto, Vega, and Gremlin. But way back in the 30s this country was introduced to a small car, the American Bantam similar to the one in this week’s spot.

Originally known as the American Austin, with English roots, American Bantam’s new car was unveiled in September 1936 and marketed using the slogans ‘Style, Stamina, Safety, in America’s only economy car’, and ‘Nearly a ton less to start, stop, park, operate and pay for’. Depending on the model the car costs $439-$499 and with 60mpg was cheap to run. Those who bought the cars loved them but America wasn’t convinced that a small car like this was safe and comfortable so sales never really took off.

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Bamtam was in serious trouble like many other companies trying to survive during The Great Depression, they were in danger of just becoming another casualty. Bantam management needed to come up with something and fast. Like many companies looking to help the war effort during

In 1940 the company designed and built the first Jeep in record time that saved them and became an icon. Production would eventually shift to Ford and Willys-Overland because Bantam could not produce enough Jeeps. The company went on to manufacture amphibious utility trailers and aerial torpedoes during the war last American Bantam car rolled out of the Butler, Pennsylvania factory on August 18, 1943.

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This week’s spot began as a 1937 Bantam Roadster and then customized in 1952 by Franklin Krontz. The body was made with hand-rolled metal over a one-inch steel tubing subframe. If you look closely you will see parts from Cadillac, Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. New Coker tires were added along with new paint and chrome.

What are they worth now? The American Bantam Car Company produced approximately 6,200 cars between 1936 and 1940 and of that, only 971 roadsters were produced with an estimated less than 75 remaining. Prices are pretty much all over the board. I found a couple for under 10 grand and then several for around 40 grand. Finding one like this though, good luck, because it’s one-of-a-kind and sits in a museum.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this spot. I have lots of others for you to discover on our site. Come back next Friday and read about another one of my finds along with some of its history. Have a great weekend.