This 1939 American Bantam roadster was designed as tiny, but thrifty, transportation in the depths of the Great Depression. The company, which evolved from the American Austin auto company, produced a full line of cars, including coupes and even station wagons, which could get more than 40 mpg.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Kenneth Goering, left, a longtime auto education instructor, was more than happy to help his sister and brother-in-law, MaryAnn and Morey James, get their little Bantam roadster back on the road after it sat in storage for many years.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Morey James posed with boxing gloves alongside the American Austin coupe that was his high school car. Looks like another boxer perched atop the car.
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/ Courtesy of Morey James
Restorer Kenneth Goering said he couldn't justify spending $1,500 apiece for original factory headlights, so he made do with these nearly identical tractor lights.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
This is what the Bantam two-seater looked like when Kenneth Goering began the restoration process. The car was remarkably complete and in decent overall condition.
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Kenneth Goering / Courtesy
The rear fenders are fully enclosed, with chrome spears highlighting their flow. Model A taillights, a near-match for the missing originals, were used.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Power for the James' little roadster is provided by this inline 46-cubic-inch 4-cylinder power plant cranking out 22 horsepower. Weighing in at a little over 1,200 pounds, the car was a capable two-seat grocery-getter.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The original bench seat, which folds forward for access to the "trunk" area, was reupholstered in correct vertically pleated black material by the Glass & Upholstery Center in El Dorado.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The 3-speed gearbox sports a long shifter that follows a double bend back to the seat's edge, topped with a non-factory oversized shift ball. One missing part that has yet to be located is the oval speedometer in the middle of the dashboard.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Door panels received the same black upholstery treatment. Note there are no window cranks, as this car is a roadster.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
For such a small car, the Bantam roadster employs a hefty steering wheel -- a challenge to the lanky Morey James when he climbs in for a drive.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Bantams were delivered with either solid or two-tone paint schemes. Goering used a modified Honda orange color for the cove area on the Jameses' 1939 roadster, with a stock Honda red covering the rest of the car.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Without an opening trunk, the only place for a spare was on the deck lid, which actually added to the Bantam's stylish good looks. The roadster is outfitted with a full set of 5x15-inch BFG Silvertown white walls by Coker Tire.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Morey James always wanted another American Austin coupe like the one he drove in high school. Instead, he settled for this nifty American Bantam roadster, which his wife, MaryAnn, says may inspire her to learn how to drive a stick shift.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The cowl tag on the little roadster not only contains the car's serial number, but basic maintenance and parts-ordering advice.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The original hood emblem was saved, along with the bright metal grille divider.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Kenneth Goering says the Bantam roadster was perhaps the most enjoyable restoration program he's ever undertaken.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
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