The previous owner of my heap kindly sent me some old photos. He's known the truck since he was a kid. Here it is when it was bone stock. 18hp four banger. At this point it has a Ford V8-60 but still appears to have the stock rear end, suspension and brakes. Year unknown, late '50s early '60s? Here it wears the red paint it still has on some of the undercarriage and a Corvair front bumper, a sign of things to come. Here it is getting a freshened up engine. At this point it also has Corvair front suspension and a Studebaker rear. The photos from the ad when I purchased it two years ago. Red paint gone, the other side was black primer. As it is now. I've added a huffer, T5, Ford posi rear and changed pretty much everything else underneath. Hope to paint it someday. Drive it often.
Thanks guys. A few more photos. When I got it the wheelbase had been extended for engine clearance. It looked bad proportionally so I cut the front end off and moved it all back to stock wheelbase, making for a tight fit. On the Bantam coupes and roadsters you can move the firewall back but not in the pickup. I was at a car gathering last year and a video game guy approached me wanting to record the engine sound for an upcoming video game. They paid me $300.
I had wondered what the story was with your truck, and here's my answer. Thanks, cool stuff. The pic of it, and the red car is cool.
Hey blowby I liked your car from the first time I laid eyes on it! Now it is even cooler! I'm gonna subscribe to this. And can't wait to see an update!!
Thanks! As I mentioned it had (and still does) Corvair independent front suspension, a popular IFS conversion years ago. It steered OK but the steering box and idler arm protruded visibly in front, along with the funky bumper, and needed to go. I couldn't find any street car rack and pinions narrow enough so I ended up with a circle track unit from the swap meet. The Ackerman was a mess (as shown in the mock up photo) and I had to fab up new steering arms. Had I to do over again I probably would have gone to a straight axle but again it would take a custom one narrow enough. Might do nerf bars for a bumper.
Wow, 5 years went by quick. I built a fresh engine a couple of years ago, stock except for a blower cam and heads. Scored a 1940 bed, more stylized the the square box '37-39 bed. Mine needed replacing anyway so that was quite a score, a rare find. Only 500 American Bantam pickups were ever built. Other than that mainly just drove it in primer and changed wheels more often than Imelda Marcos changes shoes. Last fall I took it down and painted it over the winter. Back in one lump mostly now, driveable but still finishing assembly. Still needs upholstery.
That is cool as hell. That engine puts it way over the top. Looks like it has even less room than my Austin 7. At least I can move the seat back. At 6’4” I’m not sure I could fit but would enjoy trying.
Thanks guys! Yeah American Bantams were based on the Austin 7, same 75" wheelbase. It ain't exactly roomy.. The upright seating position does makes getting in and out easy. My wife is wheelchair bound, getting her out is easier than my old Vette where your feet are at butt level.
Ha, he was an 8 week old pup then. 4 years old now, 50 lbs.. Funny thing though, he grew up in the garage around me working on the Bantam, had to push his nose out of the way constantly. Still jumps in it every time the door is open. Definitely his favorite ride.
The Jalopy Journal
