πππ’π«π πππ« ππ ππ‘π πππ²: 1938 American Bantam Roadster
In an era when American cars were ballooning to battleship proportions, the 1938 American Bantam Roadster zigged where others zagged. This tiny Butler, Pennsylvania-built charmer was essentially America’s first serious attempt at a microcar – though “serious” might be stretching it for something that looks like a carnival ride.
Created after the American Austin’s failure, the Bantam got a makeover from Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky (who apparently needed only $300 to create its adorable streamlined shape) and some mechanical tweaks from racing legend Harry Miller. Its tiny 50 cubic-inch engine wouldn’t win any drag races, but it could squeeze more miles from a gallon than most Americans thought possible.
While only 7,000 were built before production ended in 1941, the company’s legacy lived on through an unlikely source – they developed the original prototype for what became the military Jeep. Today, these cheerful little roadsters serve as a reminder that sometimes the best things come in small packages, even if Depression-era America wasn’t quite ready for the message.
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