Would you like a Woody of your own?

For your consideration is a unique opportunity to own a 1939 Bantam Woody Station Wagon.  Usually, these cars pass silently between Bantam club members.  Occasionally, these cars are seen at the auctions, but not frequently enough for other collectors to get their hands on them.

These cars were designed by Bantam to be the gem of any garage.  Described by the company as being the embodiment of nonchalant luxury, and by being priced as their halo car; the Bantam station wagon was anything but a little economy car.  It was a useful, utilitarian, piece of art.  Although they were fairly popular in proportion to other models built, their survival rate has been identified as very small.

1938 Bantam Station Wagon Prototype

1938 Bantam Station Wagon Prototype

There are less than twenty of these Station Wagons known to exist at this time, although there may be a few more stashed out there.  Most often, these cars are sold for increasingly more and more with projects becoming less and less extant.  Finished, you can have something like this:

bantam woodieBantam Woody

Here is the offering for your consideration, the bones of a spartan, understated, elegant gem.  Click on the thumbnail below to learn more about this project.  Perhaps this could find its way into your garage.

WP_20150908_014

1939 Bantam Station Wagon Rough Project

Some Bantam items to suit your fancy:

BRC with minor upgrades:

Isn’t this how most people modify their Bantams?  On a more serious note, if this is something you want, remember to bid early and often as there is nearly guaranteed to be a sniper waiting at the end of the auction for this one.

BRC Tank Killer 1

Click here to see the listing: WWII T2E1 37mm Gun Motor Carriage (Version 3) Bantam BRC-40 Jeep Press Photo Sold for: 47.00

Some back issues of the AABC club news:

aabc 1965 8 aabc 1965 10 aabc 1969

Click here to see the listing: AUGUST 1965 AMERICAN AUSTIN BANTAM CLUB NEWS NEWSLETTER

Click here to see the listing: OCTOBER 1965 AMERICAN AUSTIN BANTAM CLUB NEWS NEWSLETTER

Click here to see the listing: FEBUARY 1969 AMERICAN AUSTIN BANTAM CLUB NEWSLETTER

A new BRC plastic model:

BRC kitClick here to see the listing: NEW Asuka model 1/24 American Bantam reconnaissance car plamo Japan Toy Model

An American Austin coupe rear cross member

Austin rear cross memberClick here to see the listing: 1930 – 1935 American Austin Coupe / Sedan rear frame crossmember

An original proof copy of the AABC Authenticity Manual:

Unless you are buying this as a keepsake, it has been recommended by the AABC that you do not buy this to ensure your car is Authentically Restored.  This is likely one of the early proofs which was circulated to Bantam Enthusiasts before the Authenticity Manual was released and may contain errors.

authenticity manual proofClick here to see the listing: Details about American Austin Bantam Car Club Authenticity Book $29.95

American Bantam Factory Post Card

Bantam Factory post card

Click here to see the listing: BUTLER, PA, PULLMAN STANDARD CAR MFG, AMERICAN BANTAM CAR, PULLMAN PARK, AERIAL

American Austin/ Bantam intake manifold:

Broken intake manualClick here to see the listing: BANTAM – AMERICAN AUSTIN EARLY INLET MANIFOLD B1397 1930 1931 1932 19.95

American Austin / Bantam Clutch Springs

Pressure plate springsClick here to see the listing: American Austin pressure plate arm springs 1930 – 1935 Sold for: 19.00

NOS starter brushes

Starter BrushesClick here to see the listing: NOS STARTER BRUSHES1930s AMERICAN AUSTIN – BANTAM – CROSLEY LOOK!!!

A couple of items for your fancy:am

Older edition of the AABC Authenticity Manual:

Please note, this authenticity manual is most like an older edition as the most recent one comes in a three ring binder with color graphics on the cover.  These three ring versions are still available and the money goes directly to the club.

Authenticity Manual

Click here to see the eBay listing:American Austin Bantam Car Club Authenticity Book  Sold for: 29.99

American Bantam Car Company, Petitioner, V. Commissioner of Internal Revenue

Law suit

Click here to see the eBay listing: American Bantam Car Company, Petitioner, V. Commissioner of Internal Revenue  27.00

American Austin Metal Toy Car

American Austin Toy

Click here to see the eBay listing: ntique Cast Iron Toy Car w Iron Wheels American Austin A C Williams 1920s

American Austin Car Co. Stock Certificate for 100 Shares

American Austin Stock

Click here to see the eBay listing: 1931 American Austin Car Company Inc.

Interesting piece of advertising

1938 Bantam Advertising Pamphlet

I have never seen this pamphlet before and I’m really glad the seller put such detailed photos on the listing.  This advertisement has very rich drawings of the Bantam line up for 1938 including a woody with pickup truck style fenders.  If you look carefully, the Bantam logo has the word “American” printed above it.  For $5.00, this item is a steal, especially with the dealer stamp from Johnstown, PA.

Click here to see the ebay listing: Vintage Bantam ’60’ Automobile Booklet, Butler, PA – Johnstown, PA Dealership Sold for: 42.00

Click here to learn more about Johnstown, PA:  Johnstown

American Bantam and Austin Electronic Ignition

Until last night, I had never even considered the thought of having electronic ignition in a Bantam. However, a person replied to a want ad I have up telling me that he had a Pertronix unit for a Bantam. At first, I assumed it was a left over part from a dragster, some sort of piece for a small block Chevy dizzy. As it turns out, Pertronix (a reputable company) has been making conversion kits for Bantams to make their 6V negative ground system upgradable to electronic ignition for quite some time. After perusing a variety of forums, it appears the majority of people seem to say Pertronix is the way to go, with a spare set of points in your car in case they fail at some point in the next two decades.

Pertronix BantamMy Dad raised me to believe points are always the best way to go, however some other people out there tend to disagree. If you’re one of the folks on the other side of the line, this may be an added way to make you Bantam more dependable. You don’t have to worry about the points getting corroded, burning out, getting out of adjustment, or having your ignition system at the mercy of a worn distributor bushing. Although, it seems unlike points, these units can leave you stranded if they die while you are driving the car.

Also, since the Bantam distributors are very similar to the American Austin units, these will most likely also work for their older cousins.

Here is the link to the Bantam electronic ignition conversion:

Through Amazon: Pertronix 1549N6 6 Volt Negative Ground Ignitor Autolite for Bantam

Through Ebay: PerTronix 1549N6 Ignitor Autolite for Bantam 6 Volt Negative Ground

Have you tried this? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

A few Bantam Odds and Ends

As always, it’s been hectic; but a few items popped up on eBay and I’d like to share them with you.  Also, I’ve been testing out the Klipsch bluetooth speaker I mentioned in an earlier post.  Day one of testing is over, and I’m very impressed.  It may be just the thing you need on your back seat during your next tour.  Anyway, on to the listings:

Bantam:

1938-1939 American Bantam Hood Ornament

The seller has an ornament which is markedly similar to the Bantam piece as well as the 1937 Nash Lafayette piece.  You may want to contact the seller for dimensions to confirm this is in fact for a Bantam.  From my understanding, the Nash piece was larger.

DIMENSIONS:  “height whole ca. 2.36 inches length whole ca. 7.87 inches

Bantam Hood Ornament

Click here to see the listing: 1938-1939 American Bantam Hood Ornament Sold for: 190.50

American Bantam Car Co Supercargo Butler Pa Tape Measure

Tape MeasureClick here to see the listing: American Bantam Car Co Supercargo Butler Pa Tape Measure Sold for: 53.01

Pedal pads American Bantam

Hopefully someone can purchase these to make new ones.  I know I’d be interested in a new set.  Pedal PadsClick here to see the listing: Pedal pads American Bantam Sold for: 9.99

35 36 37 38 39 40 41 American Bantam Generator Brush Set NORS

generator brushes

Click here to see the listing: 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 American Bantam Generator Brush Set NORS No Sale

American Austin- 1983 FRANKLIN MINT PEWTER HOOD ORNAMENT

 franklin mint

Click here to see the listing: American Austin- 1983 FRANKLIN MINT PEWTER HOOD ORNAMENT Sold for: 24.53

1932 AMERICAN AUSTIN BANTAM SALES BROCHURE- ORIGINAL AND VINTAGE

tied brochure 1

Click here to see the listing: 1932 AMERICAN AUSTIN BANTAM SALES BROCHURE- ORIGINAL AND VINTAGE No Sale

A trickle of rain in a drought

The past few weeks have been fairly dry when it comes to Bantam parts on ebay. However, today there is a significant group of listing to suit your Bantam needs. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been trying to spend less time in front of my computer so I can get more done on my project. I’ve been documenting my project on the HAMB, but now that it is far enough along, I think I’ll share it here first. For Bantam enthusiasts: BRC 60 Dashboard press photo: This photo makes me wonder, if they used so many readily available bantam parts, how did the instrument cluster with the temperature gauge come to be. Would Bantam really have developed a new gauge just for this project? It would seem that there wasn’t free time that they could have easily devoted that attention elsewhere. Brc dashboard shot Click here to see the listing: BRC press photo Sold for:89.88

Bantam and BRC steering wheel (in rough shape) bantam steering wheel Click here to see the listing: Bantam BRC steering wheel Sold for:100.00

BRC-40 “long scalloped axle” brc 40 drive shaft Click here to see the listing: Ford GP prototype / bantam BRC / Willys MA / WWII jeep long scalloped axle BRC Front Axle gaskets Brc axle gaskets Click here to see the listing: BANTAM BRC AXLE STEERING GASKETS NOS Bantam felt seals for the axles: Sold for: 9.95

Front Seals axle seal Click here to see the listing: 1939 American Bantam Front Wheel Felt Grease Oil Seals Retainer p/n 1755 (Qty 2) Rear Seals axle seal Click here to see the listing: 1939 American Bantam Rear Wheel Outer Felt Grease Oil Seals p/n 1755 (Qty 2) Rear Axle bearing race: bantam rear axle race Click here to see the listing: NOS!!! 1934-1948 Ford Bantam Hudson Chrysler Bearing Rear Axle Pinion Race 15250 Distributor Bushing distributor bushing Click here to see the listing: 1938-40 Bantam Model E Distributor Bushings (2) Auto-Lite Distributor Cap Bantam Distributor Cap Click here to see the listing: 1938-40 American Bantam 4 Cylinder Distributor Cap For the American Austin Enthusiast: Front Axle assembly: (These seller does not have any other Austin or Bantam Parts) austin front axle Click here to see the listing: 1930 – 1935 American Austin front axle assembly Rear Bumper Brackets P1070574 Click here to see the listing: 1930 – 1935 American Austin Coupe / sedan / panel? Rear Bumper Brackets Rear Bumper Bracket connector P1070569 Click here to see the listing: 1930 – 1935 American Austin Coupe / Sedan rear frame crossmember

Bantam BRC Pilot Replica for sale!

As a Bantam enthusiast, it may seem difficult to avoid the BRC these days; and that is not a bad thing.  In a time when fewer and fewer people know what a Bantam civilian car even is; the BRC is a great way to reintroduce the world to the little car company that did.  Even if the Jeep doesn’t do it for you as an enthusiast, think about its importance in two ways.  First, the Jeep is pretty important to our history.  Secondly, any press is good press for our little cars, the more folks we can bring to our hobby, the better!

Showing people around the world, that one of the vehicles most responsible for the freedoms they enjoy today is directly traceable to a small city in western Pennsylvania can be eye opening.  There are a bunch of people hoping to get the story out about the economy car company that may have saved our world.  Besides those two big BRC events planned this year, there has been at least one book published recently focusing on the development of the Reconnaissance Car.  If you want to help spread the word about the BRC and American Bantam, helping support a project to make a mini-series for television may be an excellent means to do so.

Now, if you’re not too familiar with crowd funding, these campaigns are usually fantastic because you have a chance to get something in return for your donation, other than the satisfaction that you are helping someone’s dreams come true.  Unlike other campaigns where you can buy a hoodie, a key chain, a copy of the product, or even differ with a celebrity; the folks at this campaign have really set the bar high.  For a $100,000 donation, you can get a BRC pilot car replica!  Now, they are seeking to raise $1.2 million, so if twelve people get together to buy pilot cars, this campaign will be successful in no time!  Now, lets get together and help get our little cars the fame they deserve. (Also, I personally hope that this mini-series will feature ample shots of people driving civilian Bantam cars.  I can’t see it making too much sent to have Roy Evans driving around a Chevy)

Check out the campaign here:  Buy a BRC

BRC idiegogo

Bantam 2 mile token: Encased Penny

Two cents a mile sounds great to me!  Back when the 1938 Bantam was introduced, the company produced a souvenir encased penny to commemorate the special car.  The coin was an advertising gimmick highlighting the thriftiness of the small car with big car styling.  I’ve seen these on ebay before, and they usually sell for much more than a penny.  While I think they’re neat, they’re still out of my budget for a penny.

Click here to see the penny: Bantam Penny Sold for: 26.00

After a week absence, Joe Gingerich is back with more goodies.

Bantam M10 B Carb:
Bantam Tillotson M10B  Click here for the eBay listing: Bantam M10 B Carb Sold for: 190.50

American Austin Hubcaps:

american austin hubcaps 4  Click here for the eBay listing: American Austin Hubcaps 45.44

American Austin / Bantam Starter

austin bantam starter

  Click here for the eBay listing: American Austin / Bantam Starter  Sold for: 111.00

American Bantam Reproduction Grille Badge

Note, this is a reproduction, but it does not look like not a WM Spear unit.  It is missing the “Made in U.S.A. mark which was placed on the original units and the reproduction notice on the rear.

bantam emblem repro  Click here for the eBay listing: American Bantam Reproduction Grille Badge Sold for: 30.00

Late Austin / Bantam Generator and Fan Mount

bantam austin generator bracket

  Click here for the eBay listing: Late Austin / Bantam Generator and Fan Mount

These parts below, I’m not sure about, they are listed as being American Austin, but I don’t believe they are.  If I am wrong, please send me a message to let me know.

Ampere Meter

Amp gauge

  Click here for the eBay listing:

Window Regulator

American Austin Window Regulators

  Click here for the eBay listing: Window Regulator  Sold for: 77.00

Rear View Mirror

Rear view mirror

  Click here for the eBay listing: Rear View Mirror Sold for: 22.50