The American Austin Car Company was a US car manufacturer established in 1929, producing cars licensed from the British Austin Motor Company from 1930 to 1934. It filed for bankruptcy in 1934 and was liquidated in 1935. Evans Operations, Inc. acquired its assets, and a new company named American Bantam Car Company was created in June 1936.
History
The American Austin Car Company produced a version of the British Austin 7 car in the US called the American Austin. They set up manufacturing operations in Butler, Pennsylvania, but after initial success, the Great Depression hit and sales declined. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 1934 and was liquidated in 1935. However, the assets were acquired by Evans Operations, Inc. who continued production under the new company American Bantam Car Company. The cars had 747 cc inline-four engines, could return 40 mpg, and travel 1,000 miles per fill of oil. The bodies were designed by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and made by the Hayes Body Company. The car became popular among hot rodders and drag racers in the 1960s.
