1938 American Bantam Series 60 roadster

[@BrewBlaster]

Talking Heads// Take me to the river.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah buddy congratulations you got it =)

[@BrewBlaster]

@@What.its.like. TY Kind Sir

[@Troy_nov1965]

Nice of you to cover the Bantams , they are a neat little car company that often gets over looked.

[@What.its.like.]

The goal is to cover at least one car from every manufacturer. I love covering the ones that get overlooked. Honestly can't wait to cover more body style maybe one day we'll get the drive one day =)

[@Troy_nov1965]

@@What.its.like. I would suggest the Willys Americar if you can find any stock ones.

[@What.its.like.]

I wanna cover a bunch from Willy's have done a few but older ones like Willy's knight kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIbbeYamq6ahocUfeature=shared

[@ronkemperful]

I saw a Bantam roadster many, many years ago in the 1960's in the Harrahs Auto collection. Will be looking forward to your presentation.

[@What.its.like.]

They are very cool cars and built in Butler Pennsylvania, which is only a hop skip and a jump from here.. =)

[@rhberg5679]

I owned and truly loved my 1940 Bantam. It was my first car. It had a 1938 Ford V8 engine in it so it halled balls. Loved that car.

[@What.its.like.]

Awe man that's awesome I'm guessing you don't have it anymore?

[@Jerry-ok8gj]

That Bantam is actually quite stylish!

[@bobdillaber1195]

Neat car, have only seen in pictures. Great design and colors.

[@What.its.like.]

I've seen a couple of them, but usually they're missing parts. This one was missing some dashboard pieces. That's why one of the reasons why I didn't do the gauge button switches and knobs. When I searched on the Internet it seemed like every one that I could find had different gauges, for some reason I'm happy to dig this episode I'd love to cover more body styles

[@bparksiii6171]

Glad you featured a Bantam, the ancestor to my Jeep, good comparison of the Austin to the Bantam, both looks good. First pick Crosley hotshot, second 38 Bantam.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices i'm happy you like that comparison I did forget one thing though the Austin has a split windshield.

[@hcombs0104]

For WYR, it’s the American Bantam, and the Singer. It’s a cute little car. Never saw one in the wild myself. Thank you for covering this.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for watching great choices

[@edgabel6814]

That era had such great style. Unbeatable today.

[@monkmchorning]

My first exposure to the Bantam was the altered roadster dragsters of the '60s. It was a long time before I ever saw what they looked like forward of the cowl.

[@DSP1968]

Wow, this has to be a rare bird to spot these days! I'm glad you featured it, as I don't think I have ever seen one in person. Such a little engine! And I'll take the American Bantam and the Messerschmidt KR200. A fun episode!

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices yeah these are still out there they go for or ask a ton of money for what they are especially the roadsters there is one for sale on marketplace for $20,000 the coupe facebook.com/share/6xQEJjFxcddupQdk/?mibextid=79PoIi

[@ronnieroberts9478]

As always, very good video thank you

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for watching I'm glad you dig this channel. It really means a lot a lot to me. I was going to try to have this done yesterday, but I had so much stuff come up that was unexpected and I didn't get it done Tomorrow is going to be the thrift Power 6 from ford =)

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Jay! Thanks for showing the COOL Bantam! These little cars were too little, too soon! Had they come out in the late 1950's, who knows? Maybe they would still be around! WYR#1 Austin! #2 Austin! Alexis DeSakhnoffsky also designed the body for those, too! #2 BANTAM!

[@What.its.like.]

@@JefferyHall-ct2tr awesome choices I think if it came out when the fuel crisis happened in 72 probably would've made it through but then again there were cars that were small that got insane gas mileage that didn't make it or they evolved into something else like the Honda 600

[@randyrobey5643]

A dizzying array of cars have been made in this country. Thank you for covering this company.

[@What.its.like.]

Your welcome one day I'd love to do an episode on car companies by state there were a lot of cars made in Pennsylvania

[@myronpross814]

I guess the AACA museum wouldn’t let you enter their Bantam? Saw that car many times in Hershey and am glad you chose to feature it.

[@What.its.like.]

They would probably let me do it I just haven't been out that way this one was in a collection I visited a month or so ago

[@P_RO_]

Never saw one of these but descriptions are always "tiny". The price difference may not seem big now but it was considerable back then, as the economy and money was still tight for most people. Roadsters aren't at all a practical choice if you can have only one car so the low production numbers don't surprise me. The Austin did do good in England where more people could only afford a very basic car, so I think that was part of the design coming here where they hoped it would do at least a well. Lots of Bantams ended up being made into drag racing cars in the late 50's and early 60's because they were cheap and light. I've only seen Bantams that way including an A/Altered which could barely be kept in it's lane during a run but it was fast! WYR though it looks more dated, I like the Austin's looks; all it needs is wire wheels to look superb. Next the Singer is nicer even though the "KabinRoller" 200 is more iconic as a microcar. The "200" denoted the engine size in CC's. BTW, the Singer was a more upscale car in England compared to the more common names. It definitely outclasses all these other cars here. It's later years were as a 'badge-engineered' version of cheap cars which effectively killed it's sales and the brand.

[@What.its.like.]

I've seen one singer in my life, and that was at classic auto mall going to try and cover it if it's still there Thank you so much for sharing all that insight and information =)

[@bobstuart2638]

You may be confusing this car with the Mochet, which actually did evolve from pedals to power. The Austin, also built by BMW, was never close to light enough to pedal. Its outstanding feature is underneath, with a frame that ends ahead of the rear axle, which is located by quarter-elliptic springs, a wonderfully light and elegant arrangement.

[@seanhoward8025]

Jay…I believe the term for fender skirts back then was “spats”! Keep up the great work and the promotion of the ACD and Greenfield Village events.

[@What.its.like.]

I didn't know that terminology. I'm still trying to get better terminology for things. =) I want to see as many people go to those events as possible, especially the Greenfield Village for anybody that hasn't been there it's an experience that's the best way I can describe it that car show by far that I've ever attended and I honestly can't wait. I'm taking my family this year.

[@ragtopdeluxezl1]

They have been called spats but mainly in the UK. Thunderbird called them Fender shields. I had to look it up so thanks I had not heard that before.

[@seanhoward8025]

@@ragtopdeluxezl1 I was specifically speaking of back on the late 1930's, not later in the 50's and 60's.

[@seanbatiz6620]

Of the way-too-many things I’ve collected over the decades, I have a WWII Waukesha Portable Generator that was used for starting aircraft.. its in-line 4 cyl engine is super itty-bitty & really looks about the same as one of these Bantom engines! This gives me hope of me fabricating an itty-bitty car, using this Waukesha engine, WOULD suffice! It’d be one heck of an interesting project 👍🏻👍🏻

[@What.its.like.]

I want to do an engine family on the Waukesha have no idea how to say it but one day lol thank you so much for sharing

[@scooterdover2771]

Great little car. I think I would take it in both scenarios.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@buildingracingvideos4714]

Sweet, street legal legends cars. That little pick-up is pretty sweet.

[@faerieSAALE]

I always wanted a Bantam Roadster. Only for the unique novelty of owning one. My personal WYR vehicle would be a 1930s Jaguar SS or a Squire. A MG TA - TF would be wonderful too.

[@What.its.like.]

Hahaha nice

[@leedaniels7196]

I wouldn’t mind having one of these!.😎

[@russC13]

Looks similar to the car in Roger Rabbit! Very cool. You do a lot of work on your videos Jay, Well done!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for noticing I love doing it. I wish I had animation skills though, I forgot to mention that this car is Donald Duck's car.. Happy you dig the channel =)

[@johncolette6014]

Bantam made some interesting little cars. It wasBantam that designed the WW2 Jeep. They built around 3000,but could not produce enough for the war. Most, using Bantam design, were built by Willys and Ford.

[@winstonelston5743]

My Pop was a WWII pilot, said that the Willys Jeeps were more durable in the longevity department than the Fords were. Pop drove Studebakers, an Opel Kadett, and a Dodge Omni, drove them all 'til they wouldn't go no more.

[@josephgaviota]

10:57 "I love that it has the 'STOP' " Me too 🙂

[@ernielaw]

Just like the Brill buses.

[@kennethanway7979]

My GF would take all of the WYR! We went to Lane Auto museum... she wanted all of the micro cars! I almost bought a king midget once..cheap, but needed restored.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome =)

[@winstonelston5743]

Somewhere close to sack-NOV-ski. Very highly regarded designer in his day.

[@seanhoward8025]

It's a reference to spats used on shoes back then. Spats covered the laces on low rise boots, just as these covered the wheels.

[@What.its.like.]

=)

[@markbrown8110]

I’ve got 1939 bantam roadster, it’s was hot rodded in the 50’s by Harry hull It’s built with midget sprint car parts and is powered v8-60

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome that thing probably scoots

[@markbrown8110]

@ wouldn’t know, it’s under my porch right now haha I think the last time it was together and running was maybe the 80’s. It’s third in line for car projects. Really enjoying your channel btw, keep up the great work man!

[@Helm-w1q]

There used to be a Bantam on display at Combo Hall in Detroit

[@asteverino8569]

This 38 cartoon car is for me. Small and very stylish, with the most beautifully integrated spare tire mount .

[@What.its.like.]

@@asteverino8569 I totally forgot to mention this is Donald Duck’s car

[@asteverino8569]

@@What.its.like. 😂

[@nevco8774]

Even this small car is built as a truck with frame, running boards, separate fenders covering front wheels, front engine, rear wheels drive. Untill 1950ties there was no separation between trucks and cars. The same chassis, running boards, engine, transmission, brakes were used for a truck, sedan, roadster. The most prominent example is Ford Model T, a 2 wheels drive off roader, used as car, truck, tractor and so on. Granted the payloads were not so high to warrant a clear differentiation between the passenger cars and trucks. The slow engines could be used as tractors also. A modified Ford Model T often was used as snowmobile. Today in 2024 only commercial trucks still have running boards and fenders covering front wheels still resembling yesteryear designs.

[@What.its.like.]

Great information and insight =)?

[@bobmccurdy8881]

Interesting little car beautiful. American Austin - Singer

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices and totally agree

[@winstonelston5743]

9:25 That hood mascot bears an abstract resemblance to the those gracing far more expensive models. At first glance I was thinking Cadillac.

[@49commander]

The reason Willys got the contract was due to their excellent Go Devil 4 cylinder engine. The Bantam engine was just too small to provide the power that the Military required. Bantam used a 134 CID Continental 4 Cylinder Industrial engine however, it only produced 40 HP.. Continental was already overtaxed building engines for lots of other Military Equipment. The Willys Go Devil was the same 134 CID but made 60 Hp!! plus more torque and had proven to be a very stout engines! Remember these engines were used in the Willys Whippet which was a low priced sensation when it came out in 1926, it was a hot selling car in its first year they sold over 110K cars!!! The Whippet was a cheap hot rod in its day! You can read more with the link below! Until the 1927 Model A Ford was in full production the Whippet was a hot seller. Willys had all the tooling just sitting Idle and they could ramp up quickly and supply all the engines required initially. Willys also had the presses and capacity to make the bodies as other key parts. They also had a working relationship with the companies that would supply Frames, Transmissions, Axles etc. Willys had another ACE in the hole, Delmar Barney Roos, who had a reputation for excellent engineering! He is the reason the final design was so sturdy and reliable. Have to give Bantam lots of kudos for coming up with a real prototype so quickly for the US Military to evaluate their specifications and test! www.wokr.org/gallery/wh96his.htm

[@What.its.like.]

Great information I just feel like bantam got cheated because they're the ones that came up with the idea yea Willy's had one hell of a marketing campaign with the Jeep, but they just took somebody else's homework and slept their name on. It essentially bantam was out of money and they could not fight for the right to produce the jeep after the war.. Ivan bought his jeep from bantam

[@billkircher2310]

Err, you failed to mention Willy's first Jeep at the Army's testing grounds in Maryland blew 3 engines. Yes that is correct. Guess who assisted Willy's with identifying the engine's problem? Give up? None other than Bantam's Harold Crist! No kidding. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the Bantam's engine was underpowered and could not do what the Army required. The Army tested if fully and the Bantam Pilot model was touring various military bases when Willy's finally showed with their first Jeep. Russian representatives were at the "Jeep trials" in June 1941 observing the testing and could choose what ever Jeep they wanted for their country. Wouldn't know that Bantam was their winner. Psst, a secret you unlikely knew. The owner of Bantam was Willy's largest distributor!

[@What.its.like.]

@@billkircher2310 yeah, we didn't really go in depth on this episode. We did an episode on the Bantam jeep as well as the evolution of the Jeep. I'm not a huge fan when companies take credit for other things, other other companies did

[@49commander]

​@@billkircher2310 The Bantam prototype used a Continental Engine.

[@winstonelston5743]

WYR1: The Bantam looks like a baby Duesenberg, but I'd probably go for the Crosley. WYR2: Cousin Itt in the _Addams Family_ movies had a Messerschmitt KabinRoller. So did the TV character Steve Urkel. That narrows it down to the Bantam or the Singer. I think the Singer, but the Isetta 300 or the BMW 600 have that front-loading Westinghouse look. I'd probably step up a bit in size to the Goggomobil or the DKW 3=6 or 1000.

[@johnboydTx]

1934 Austin 1938 Bantam I think 🤔 they shared DNA with the metropolitan ????? Ignition Starter Clutches It's been over 30 years since I worked on one 🤷.... Great Styling We turned a Yamaha bike motor sideways.. A ujoint on the bike sprocket and a shaft to the batam trans 🤔.. A small driveshaft, transmission then another drive shaft 🤦😂. Bored during Xmas time 🤪🤣 Happy Motoring ✌️🤠

[@What.its.like.]

I was wondering that the metropolitan has overhead valves though, but I think the edges in the metropolitan is the evolved version of this engine great information =) Sweet choices

[@grahambell4298]

@@What.its.like. The Metropolitan used the BMC B Series engine, which is same engine family as used in MGA/MGB and is indeed overhead valve. As you say, the Bantam was based on the Austin 7 - a car that originated in the 1920s and provided Britain with an affordable car for the masses much like the Ford Model T did in the US. BMW's first car was a version of the Austin 7, as was the first Datsun.

[@What.its.like.]

@@grahambell4298 I wanted to put together an engine episode with the Austin engines. Eventually, the foreign engines are harder to do here. For some reason the line isn't cut and dry. I use talk text a lot that's what helps me answer everyone and it makes me out to be a complete idiot. I have to go back and fix that.

[@roberthamrick2580]

Your channel is very informative. If they had put a higher horsepower engine, they could have had a more of a pure sports car, ahead of the corvette.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you =) I really try to gather as much as I can on each vehicle as I possibly can find try to keep the information out there for anybody that needs it I want to see these cars on the road more =)

[@geebs76]

This car is so cute. The spare tire cover looks pretty fancy for the car and I am impressed that it would have had a radio. I want to shove a rag in the open oil filler tube though. I'd choose the Bantam in both scenarios although the Singer would be a hotter performer.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah, this one was missing some odds and ends, but it was still a cool, complete car. I've only seen a couple of these in my lifetime in roadster form, the other two were missing some major parts like fenders grill. It's hard to do a whole car without those pieces.

[@rumplestilskin5776]

I think I'd like the Singer.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choice

[@61rampy65]

It's unfortunate, but the camera does not accurately depict how TINY these cars were! You didn't say, but how well did you fit your 6'2" body in that driver seat? Anyway, those cars are pretty cute, including the Austins. WYR= I'd take any of them, but an Isetta would be better. Fun fact: The Messerschmidt was a 3 wheeler, which meant if you steered to center your car over a pothole, the rear wheel would hit it full force. Great video, and thanks for showing what other stuff Bantam made. Thanks, Jay!

[@What.its.like.]

I didn't get in this car to be 100% honest. It was parked too close to the other car for me to open up the door to get inside. It was parked next to a Porsche 356 Porsche 356 is pretty small... happy you enjoyed this one Definitely going to come back and cover bantam again =) I almost added four choices to this one the BMW Z it would've been another one. I was thinking Nash Metropolitan, but the metropolitan are way bigger car than this. Maybe peel p50 great choices

[@JamesAllmond]

The Russian GAZ looked like the Bantam jeep for decades. (At least they got to make the trailers after Willys and Ford took over production. And yes, the US Army did Bantam wrong!). Bantam! The Austin looked right out of the 20's nor 30's 38 American Bantam 38 American Bantam, but the Singer is interesting...

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices great insight =)

[@denislandry7577]

They are very nice , i guess rare , i’m 62 years young into car big time , and so sorry , never seen one

[@What.its.like.]

They are rare I've only seen 3 including this one the other two were missing a bunch of stuff in roadster form I've seen other bantams

[@juanasanelli6831]

El autito del Donald Duck

[@andreamills5852]

Bantam ---Singer

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@chuckkottke]

1934 Bantam, it looks good enough for Frank Lloyd Wright, a hard customer to please. 22 horsepower is adequate, that's all the model T's had, and you could probably hep it up to 30. 🐓🌞

[@What.its.like.]

It would be cool to drive a bantam to falling water =)

[@wolfwind9658]

I saw one of these and they look like they are the car you make after cutting the middle out to make a limo out of another car.

[@rdmineer1]

Bantam out of all choices. Bet it's overall less expensive and environmentally cleaner than any EV. The reliability of the tiny Bantam engines was well known.

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices Don't even get me started on EVs I'm a car enthusiast I like everything, but I'm willing to bet the farm in a few years it will come out that EVs aren't as environmentally friendly as they suggest... not against EVs just wish they were more honest about there cause it's an alternative fuel source the only thing green is the pile of money someone pays when they buy it.. I have a hybrid I like the new ionic 6 but wish it was a hybrid Cars companies don't car about gas mileage there are cars from the 50s that get better gas mileage than some of these new cars there is no reason we can't get 40 as a minimum number with computers and direct injection

[@rdmineer1]

@@What.its.like. Three things I won't have are turbo, CVT and direct injection without complimentary MPI to protect the valves. TBI vs MPI would be a simpler solution. Have my last two vehicles. First, a base 2012 Sonic LS 105k with manual everything. Replaced all rubber parts and oil, the rest is original including brakes and AC. Never lost a drop of oil, no recalls or TSBs to date. The other is a 2017 Frontier SV Premium 4X4, 120k. Nissan got it right and left it alone 15 years. Both of those are road trip ready. My first born has only a 2005 Prius. His work is 50 miles away and this thing just does it every day without a problem. New battery installed by Toyota was only $3000 1.5 years ago. Simple, refined and proven technology is the safest bet out there, that's why I enjoy your channel. Proper maintenance and use is why so few older vehicles survived for you to share with us. Thanks for what you do, Jay.

[@What.its.like.]

@@rdmineer1 I have a Prius I have a 2009 Prius because I do a lot of driving to feature the cars that I feature on this channel but if I could have it my way I would have a Metropolitan gets the same amount of gas mileage almost.. but I will admit the Prius is a lot of fun to drive. I might make a follow-up video on what it's like to own a Prius two years after the fact or three years after the fact, I bought it in 2021. It's hard to believe I've had it that long and I've owned a lot of cars almost 30 cars nothing anything crazy. The Prius is definitely top three the other two would be the 52 Chevy Truck and I owned an 88 Lincoln town car signature series at one point I think that was my favorite car that I've ever owned.. it got great gas mileage for what it was. You hit a pothole the size of the Grand Canyon, and wouldn't feel it super smooth.. Thank you so much for sharing your cars with us and your experience. Greatly appreciate it. I'm happy you g this channel =)

[@peashooterc9475]

Need a picture of two full size, well maybe micro size adults together in this car. King Midget another nearly forgotten peddle car. I think we need a race to settle which is best.

[@What.its.like.]

Hahaha yes =)

[@joebutchko2223]

I can't make up my mind... You forgot to do the glove compartment test.

[@What.its.like.]

I don't know if this one had a glove box

[@kennethroyce101]

The grille is very much like the grille of the 1938 buick.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah it does I love the grill on this car =)

[@luisvelasco316]

WYR: Crosley (though I like the tiny station wagon better), American Bantam. Shame Bantam had the JEEP taken away from them; should have gotten licensing fees.

[@What.its.like.]

That's what I'm saying it was bantams idea and Willy's just stole it the army did say in the beginning that the jeep was a group effort between the three of them and not one company could copyright it but eventually relented bantam didn't have the money to fight it and Willy's knew that.. and I believe that started a cruse every company to produce or off the jeep went bust

[@winstonelston5743]

"There was a young fellow from Boston Who traded his Ford for an Austin. There was room for his --- And a gallon of gas , But his ----- uh ---- I'd better quit while I'm ahead.

[@What.its.like.]

Hahahaha nice

[@winstonelston5743]

@@What.its.like. Oh. You'd heard it? I heard it from my Dad when I was a toddler. Among my earliest memories was listening to Wagner opera over the radio in the '51 Studebaker while he was repacking the front wheel bearings, another toddler memory. I would have been about three.

[@What.its.like.]

@@winstonelston5743 do tell I never heard the story I was just saying ha ha ha cause it sounded like it was provocative

[@winstonelston5743]

@@What.its.like. " ---- hung out and he lost 'em" Popular limerick about the American Austin. Have you reviewed the late sixties Austin America?

[@What.its.like.]

That's crazy, not yet foreign cars don't do that well on the channel so I just pepper them in from time to time.. Their is a delage in the pipeline

[@matthew9363]

American Austin was not the birth of the micro car in the USA. For example, check out the 1921 Hanover from Pennsylvania.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for that one. I didn’t know about that car. I will have to look that one up.

[@eddiea1213]

1938 Bantam Roadster. 1953 Singer Roadster.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices

[@draggonsgate]

The original SmartCar? LOL... It's cute, wouldn't wanna be in it on the open road. City driving, ok... highways, nope... WYR: 1) '38 2) '53 Singer

[@What.its.like.]

Apparently there was a car before this one that was that takes the title as the first micro car I had no idea, but they only made 800 of them so I don't know if you would consider 800 units mass production because mass production is different things to different people

[@ColtonRMagby]

WYR: All of them.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome

[@Friedbrain11]

I'd take a panel model and put a more modern drivetrain in it:)

[@What.its.like.]

Sweeet motorcycle engine would move this along nicely

[@Frank-sf1wh]

Very unfair WYR, I can’t decide on any one mini car. So I’ll just take them all 😄

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices I try to make all the wyr hard to make you think =)

[@Frank-sf1wh]

@@What.its.like. I enjoy a good head scratcher! Keep up the great job 👏

[@markchandler1130]

Crosley Singer

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@retrobilly1719]

Bantam Bantam Roadster,

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices

[@rapidrrobert4333]

I'd buy that on sight if I could (for that $)

[@Friedbrain11]

'38 Bantam, '38 Bantam.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@whattheflux2733]

Toodaloooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@allenhanford]

Repeatedly calling it "an adult-sized pedal car" makes you sound like an a-hole.

[@What.its.like.]

Eh it was a joke, some people can't take jokes now a days, not an asshole.. just making the observation that it's a small car