Flint

US, 1902 – 1904

Flint Automobile Co, Flint, Mich.

The Flint was a light two-seater runabout with a rear-mounted single-cylinder engine and no mudguards. The Flint was designed by A.B.C. Hardy who was later general manager of Marquette and then Chevrolet. Flint is sometimes erroneously called the Hardy after the designer.

US, 1923 – 1927

Flint Division, Locomobile Co of America, Long Island City, N.Y., 1923 – 1924, Elizabeth, N.J., 1924 – 1927, Flint, Mich., 1924 – 1926 

Fitted with a 7-bearing crankshaft and a steel tube for added reinforcement, the Flint occupied an important niche in William C. Durant’s car empire. With its 6-cylinder Continental engine and a price of less than $2.000 for the closed models, Flint was popular in its class and as many as 3.000 Flint cars were sold in a year. Lockheed hydraulic 4-wheel brakes came with the 1925 Flint model, and during the company’s last two years there were two big sixes of 3.8-litres and 4½-litres, as well as the 2.8-litre ‘Flint Junior’. A compact six Flint with rear wheel brakes only.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG, KM

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com

American Austin (Bantam)

US, 1930 – 1941

(1) American Austin Co Inc, Butler, Pa. 1930 – 1934

(2) American Bantam Car Co, Butler, Pa. 1935 – 1941

This was a license-produced Austin Seven with mirror-image engine. Chevrolet-like styling, and fixed disc wheels with detachable rims, selling in sedan form at $445. Unfortunately Americans have never been keen on sub-compacts, and rumoured orders for 180.000 American Austin cars boiled down to a trickle of sales. The make’s first year was its best, and even then only 8.558 American Austin cars were sold. There were receiverships in 1932 and 1934, and no car at all were produced in 1935 or 1936. In 1937 the American Austin was renamed the Bantam, with styling by Alexis de Sakhnoffski, a new horizontal-barred grille, pressure lubrication, mechanical pump feed, and synchromesh. The 1940 Bantam models had enlarged 800cc engines with 3-bearing crankshafts, and the range now included a four-seater convertible as well as roadsters, tourings, station wagons and light commercials, but few found buyers. In the same year the Bantam company produced the first successful Jeep prototype with 4-cylinder Continental engine for the US Army. Though the big contracts went to Willys and Ford, Bantam not only rescued themselves but abandoned car manufacture for good.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com