Are you afraid that you may not get what you want for the holidays?  Here is your chance to get a fairly straight Bantam hubcap.  It definitely needs a rechrome, but thankfully it wont need too much body work.  The last few went for over $70, so it’s your guess where it will go.  Happy Bidding!

Click here to see the: Bantam Hubcap

Sold for:76.53

American Austin Metal Toy Car

This is my first attempt at a mobile post.  As you can see, it was mildly successful.  On the bright side, the desired content came through easily, and I was less verbose, but I still feel something was missing.  So, for those of you who want a pocket sized Austin, here is your chance to buy a Toy American Austin.  I don’t know much about these at all, but if you’re a member of the ABS, there was a great article about them a few months ago which you likely read also describing some of the basics of these.  So, if you’re looking for a new Austin, but your garage is full; here is the perfect opportunity!

Sold for:20.00

I realize I blog a lot about blogging and making this website.  I’d like to make this site easier to use and more approachable.  Although I decluttered it significantly in the most recent iteration, I’m not sure if I went the right direction.  As such, the wheels in my brain are spinning again.

If you recall, this site was set up initially to preserve Austin and Bantam leads that may otherwise get lost to time, and to satisfy a desire I’ve had to build the ultimate automobile hobby site.  So far, this has been my most successful website; after my free food blog.  However successful, hits and visitors do not easily equate to income to invest into the website; and this will remain an underfunded hobby page.  (Remember, if you’re planning to buy anything through ebay, please click on a link here first, as that will help fund this effort.)

Given that knowledge, I am planning to increase site content to make sure you are getting the most current and comprehensive Austin and Bantam resources available.  I don’t want to get your hopes up, so I wont reveal too much at one time.  Planned changes include a reformatting and expansion.  The first step of the expansion will include a “value guide” of parts and cars.  The guide will consist of recent sale prices as correlated with respect to time and the parts.

Something else in the works is turning this site from a free wordpress site to a paid wordpress site.  That change will allow me to adopt a more conventional web address.  It will allow the content to include e-commerce, a wiki page, and even unlimited quantities of media.  If I can ever think of a good name, I will finally pull the trigger and start developing a more customizable site.

As I said, this is a hobby page; but I want to do my best.  Ideas, suggestions, and comments are always welcome.  Also, if you’re going to do any shopping for the holidays, below is a link to eBay.  What better place to find those stocking stuffers you were after?

Also, If you’re looking for a 3 in 1 refrigerated drier for your compressor, click here, or here: Refrigerated Drier System

I don’t know about you, but when I think about American Bantams, I tend to think of a proud little town in western Pennsylvania which the company called home.  Butler is the home of the Bantam, and although little of the actual factory exists, there is still a large vestige of pride in the folks who remember that their town was the birth place of the jeep.

This morning on eBay, a Parts Catalog was listed indicating the American Bantam Motors Corporation as being at Holden Avenue at Lincoln, Detroit, Michigan.  If you’re curious what this intersection looks like today, click here.

There has to be some sort of answer to explain all of this.  The listing does not mention any sort of date and it appears that all of the parts are for the American Austin.

Any insight is appreciated.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Click here to see more:  Bantam Parts Manual

American Bantam Parts Catalog – Detroit Michigan

Sold for: 20.49

As an effort to keep the content flowing and in light of the weather our New York neighbors are enjoying in Buffalo, I would like to present the thought of Bantams in the snow.

Below is a video highlighting Virta Warrens from the perspective of her daughter.  The clip introduces us to an independent business woman, who moved from racing cars to selling Bantams.  I’ve watched this video more times than I should admit; partly for the story, yet mostly for the vintage footage of Virta maneuvering her Bantams through all sorts of environments.  Beside cresting stairs and traversing rocky shores, a little past the one minute mark, she takes a 39-40 Bantam coupe through its paces in snow.

In a slick piece of driving she makes the little Bantam look like a sporty fun car.  If you haven’t seen this video, I recommend you set aside a half hour, so you can watch it about fifteen times.

While this does give us some indication as to the agility of these wonderful little cars, she hasn’t demonstrated an ability of the Bantam to burrow through snow.  Maybe this is why there don’t seem to be any of the little cars in Erie County…

If you’re looking for a new way to look the part when you go to the next ABS or AABC meet, this is what you’re looking for.  The ultimate in high Bantam fashion, this belt buckle will allow you to show off your interests at any occasion that requires pants.

Click here to see the listing: 

I’ve wondered what to do with the blog portion of this site for quite a while.  As this is wordpress, the blog is always at the forefront.  In trying to create something that delivers the content you want, this is my new experiment.  In the eBay feature section, I will highlight an interesting find on the auction site and post it here.  Often times, the listings get easily lost in the Trinkets and Parts section.  Remember, all feedback is appreciated.

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The first item for your consideration is a heretofore unknown, or long forgotten, photo of the 1937 Chicago Autoshow. Note that this early Bantam roadster sports removable fender skirts, a two tone paint job, no hood ornament, and no “Bantam” logo on the hubcaps.

Click here to see more:  Chicago Autoshow 1937, Bantam

Sold for:  145.50