Rally

France, 1921 – 1933

Automobiles Rally, Colombes, Seine

The Rally car was a typical French sporting voiturette of its period, starting life as a 2-cylinder Rally cyclecar put together largely out of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, and growing up in 1922 into a normal 4-cylinder, water-cooled Rally car. The engine of this Rally car was of proprietary manufacture, and could be had in two sizes. S.C.A.P., Ruby, C.I.M.E. and Chapuis-Dornier units were used. There were 4 forward speeds on the Rally car. By 1927 there were four models Rally cars, the most powerful being a sports racing car with a Roots-supercharged twin overhead camshaft engine, and the most sophisticated an 1.100cc straight-8. Both these Rally cars were made only in prototype form. Later Rally cars were basically customized Salmsons.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

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