It’s Almost Time to Break Out the Fleece

Labor day has finally come.  For those of us in the Northeast, that means Autumn is almost here.  On one hand, we end up with the crisp smell of decaying leaves and cool morning which give way to mellow afternoons.  We work outside in a fleece jacket or flannel shirt enjoying the temperate weather while partially rushing knowing that soon all outside work will be precluded.  In these last few weeks of warmth, we get to look forward to a few great car shows.

In a prelude to the Fall car season, here are a few items which popped up on ebay.  Enjoy!

Reproduction Bantam Hood Ornament

Note this is NOT NOS.

Click here to see the Reproduction Bantam Hood Ornament

American Austin Cufflinks

Click here to see the American Austin Cufflinks

Al Asher Bantam Manual

Al Asher Bantam Manual 1.jpgClick here to see the Al Asher Bantam Manual

Cunningham Bantam Owners Manual

This is a beautiful manual which should really get its chance at a second printing run.

Click here to see the Cunningham Bantam Owners Manual

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An update on the shopping list

I am very thankful for the kind words I have gotten from many of you regarding the shopping list I have been putting together over the past year.  If you haven’t looked, you can find my entries on Front End Parts, the Fuel System, and Interiors.  Each of these includes a lot of information and photos to help you figure out what you have and what you need.  In a few cases, these lists have already been helpful for saving some parts which would have otherwise been lost.

Work on the lists has stagnated a bit as I am struggling with space for all of these photos.  Currently this website has used 70% of all of the space allotted to me by word press and my computer is nearly full as well.  So, I am working on alternative storage and hosting means which will result in a better experience for you in the future.  As the weather is still nice, I’ll probably be putting off this project until it gets cold again.  After all, we need to make the most of our time.

Thank you for your support and your patience.  I think we’ll both be happy with the end result.

This morning on eBay a few front end trim pieces came up:

1940 Bantam hood side badge

NOS Bantam Badge Emblem 1

If you can hang on a few weeks, we should have new units available with new chrome and sturdier construction.

Click here to see the NOS American Bantam Badge

1938-1939 American Bantam Hood Ornament

1938 American Bantam Hood Ornament 1

For the asking price, it would be nice if the seller included photos which we could enlarge.  It’s difficult to see the condition of the chrome in the photos.  On another note, I can’t wait to see the new reproductions of these which you’ll hear more about in an upcoming feature of a Bantam club member’s recent efforts.

Click here to see the American Bantam Hood Ornament

Monday morning parts finds

American Bantam Headlight Lenses (pair)

American Bantam Headlight Lenses.jpgClick here to see the American Bantam Headlight Lenses

American Bantam Austin Intake Manifold

Please note the repair to the mounting ear which will need to be cleaned up.

Click here to see the American Bantam Austin Intake Manifold

American Bantam Handle Assortment

Click here to see the American Bantam Handle Assortment

Reproduction Interior American Bantam Window Crank

Reproduction Bantam Window Crank.jpg

Click here to see the American Bantam Window Crank Reproduction

American Bantam Door Handle Reproduction

Reproduction Bantam Door Handle

Click here to see the American Bantam Door Handle Reproduction

American Bantam Generator Mount Bracket

This is a four hole generator mount which should work for late 1938 American Bantams through the end of production.

American Bantam Generator Mount Bracket

Click here to see the American Bantam Generator Mount Bracket

American Austin Bantam Steering Wheel

American Austin Bantam Steering Wheel.jpg

Click here to see the American Austin Bantam Steering Wheel

American Austin Timing Cover

This cover is the correct style for M series American Austin engines.

American Austin Timing Cover.jpg

Click here to see the American Austin Timing Cover

American Austin Generator Mount Distributor

Please note, each American Austin and Bantam engine utilized a distributor having a different advance curve.  While they may look similar and fit similarly, they will not necessarily run the same without modification.

American Austin Generator.jpg

Click here to see the American Austin Generator Mount Distributor

American Austin Steering Box

American Austin Steering Box.jpg

Click here to see the American Austin Steering Box

American Austin Hood Latches

American Austin used two different types of spring loaded hood latches.  However, I don’t have the information handy to explain if these are right for Austins, and if so for what years.  Please check your application.

American Austin Hood Latches

Click here to see the American Austin Hood Latches

American Austin Hood Latches

American Austin used two different types of spring loaded hood latches.  However, I don’t have the information handy to explain if these are right for Austins, and if so for what years.  Please check your application.

American Austin Hood Latches b 1

Click here to see the American Austin Hood Latches

 

Black Friday Austin Bantam Sale?

If you are ready to give your credit cards a work out this week, here is a good place to start!

American Austin Instruction Manual

American Austin Instruction Manual

Click here to see the American Austin Instruction Manual Sold for 30.00

1969 American Austin Bantam Club Annual Meet Bumper sticker

1969 American Austin Bantam Club Annual Meet Bumper sticker

Click here to see the 1969 American Austin Bantam Club Annual Meet Bumper sticker Sold for 15.00

American Austin Radiator Badge

American Austin Radiator Badge

Click here to see the American Austin Radiator Badge Sold for 58.00

American Austin Radiator Badge 2

American Austin Radiator Badge 2

Click here to see the American Austin Radiator Badge Sold for 129.99

America Austin Bantam Tow Truck & Tractor photos

austin tow truck and tractor 1

Click here to see the America Austin Bantam Tow Truck & Tractor photos Sold for 23.51

America Austin or Bantam Wrist Pins

Click here to see the America Austin or Bantam Wrist Pins

American Austin Key Fob/ trinket

American Austin Badge Fob 3

Click here to see the American Austin Badge Fob  Sold for 33.00

American Bantam Clutch Plate

American Bantam Clutch Plate

Click here to see the American Bantam Clutch Plate Sold for 19.99

Front End Thursday

1938 -1939 American Bantam Mascot / Hood Ornament

A year after Nash used a Jarvis hood ornament to grace the hood of its Lafayette, it made its appearance on the American Bantam.  I have never had the chance to hold a Nash unit and compare it with a Bantam one, however I have heard that the Nash mascot is a bit bigger to suit the larger car.  The Jarvis 3408J is a hard piece to find in any condition these days.  Usually, they are pitted beyond recognition, broken, or bent.  This one is pitted, but a good shop should be capable of repairing it.  Interestingly, these were reproduced in the 60’s-70’s in Japan, although little is known about those reproductions.  These were used from 1938 until the 1940 model cars began production.

Click here to see the listing: american bantam mascot

 

1938-1939 American Bantam 15 bar grille shell

The 15 Bar grille shell was used on a large number of cars, and is preferred by many.  This one however, gives you an idea of what many restorers have had to work with.  The sides of the grille apron, where it meets the fenders are destroyed.  You need to have a good set of hands to make this grille fit a Bantam nicely again.  I think my grilles were mostly welded back together in the same area, but thankfully very skilled people came between me and the damage.  A nice bonus is that this may come with the Bantam badge, although the listing does not mention such.  This should be correct for 1938 through late 1939 cars.

Click here to see the listing: american bantam grille shell

Neat Bantam finds

I usually try to keep to a single post per marque per day.  However, these two items that showed up are quite neat.

 

1944 American Bantam Car Co. Annual Report:

This is just really cool, I may have to throw a bid in too.

Click here to see the listing: Bantam annual report

 

1930-1940 American Bantam cowl section:

These aren’t very common to find these days.  Most hot rods have had these cut off, and a lot of survivors have been heavily modified.  Except for the cut out for the battery, this piece doesn’t look to be in bad shape to provide repair panels for your car.  It even has the tabs where the inner fenders mount and some of the lower beading.  Who ever removed it from a car did so poorly, but there is a lot of meat for someone to work with.  This particular unit is most likely from an American Austin. I have a couple of these, otherwise I’d be bidding.

 

Click here to see the listing: Bantam Cowl

A couple of neat finds for Wednesday

American Austin or Bantam Roadster Connecting Roadster Side Curtains

Click here to see the listing: AMERICAN AUSTIN / BANTAM AUTOMOBILE / CAR SIDE CURTAINS FOR ROADSTER $224.72

 

American Bantam NOS connecting rods

bantam con rods

Click here to see the listing: American Bantam connecting rod sets of 4 – 1938-1939 $45 (6 sets sold!)

 

American Austin or Bantam Clutch Disks

clutch disks

Click here to see the listing: Clutch discs for American Austin -American Bantam – English Austin 7

A couple of quick items:

American Austin Rim and Wheel parts:

(I believe these are front wheels as they don’t appear to be tapered or have a keyway)

Click here to see the ebay listing: American Austin Wheels

 

NORS American / Austin clutch linings

(2 are needed per car) Clutch linings

Click here to see the ebay listing: Clutch discs for American Austin -American Bantam $36

 

American Bantam Novelty shifter

Click here to see the listing: Bantam American Austin Gear Shift Knob $60

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

In the past month, there have been a few scattered items which I didn’t end up posting on here.  It’s amazing how few parts have come available.  I was going through some old emails today and found that one member of the ABS raised a very good point when I was a complete newbie.  To paraphrase, be patient, these cars and their parts are out there; sometimes there are dry spells and sometimes there are more items than can find owners.  Right now, with the holidays, people have more on their mind than working on their cars and cleaning out their garage.

The last couple weeks have resulted in my efforts slowing with the near culmination of assembling my 1940 Bantam chassis.  It needs to come apart again so I can begin restoring the bits to newish condition, but it’s nice to see something that has existed as scrap for decades become something fairly car like.  I’m trying to figure out the front shock absorbers and finalize the braking configuration.  However, even with all of these things, the car has been on the back burner.

I made a tally of cars in the process of being restored and their owners.  Currently, there are at least 50 American Austin/Bantam cars in various stages of resurrection among at least 30 owners.  So, if you’re afraid that you’re alone in your quest, rest assured that you’re in good company.

Around here, I’ve started doing some work chronicling the history of the Brennan IMP.  If you’re a long time reader, you know of my fondness and intrigue regarding that little motor.  Right now, there are a couple of old brochures up, but soon, I should have it’s 30 year history documented for those who do have them.

I hope you had a happy holiday and that you are looking forward to the upcoming ones as well.  Stay tuned for updates!