1935 American Austin Panel Truck
Offered by Bonhams | Greenwich, Connecticut | June 2, 2013
The Great Depression put a lot of American automobile manufacturers out of business – but they weren’t all glamorous marques like Auburn and Pierce-Arrow. American Austin went into the red big time in 1935 and the company had to be re-organized, this time as American Bantam (production would cease in 1941). This car was produced shortly before the company became American Bantam.
Much like the pickup featured above, this Panel Truck (with “truck” being used very loosely) is a very rare variant of the American Austin. It uses the same 747cc straight-four. The lot description lists it as “rated” at 15 horsepower. The life of this car is known since 1959 and it had a full restoration in the 1970s. It’s one of only a handful of panel van American Austins that survive. It should sell for between $20,000-$25,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.
Update: Sold $9,350.