H/D American Bantam
Article by: Todd Tillman
Photos by: Art Tardiville
Sunny, 70 degrees, a nice breeze… just another day in the Northern California Mountains. But, it gets even better; add the smell of fuel and gear lube along with the rumble from a 1932 American Bantam and only then life rejoices in riches.
Ten years ago Art Tardiville found his dream car on Ebay. It wasn’t in the greatest condition with its beat up and rusted panels, but he knew this was the car he dreamed about since first seeing one back in Oakland as a kid at the local car cruise.
“I had never seen another one on the street since then, not even at one of the many car shows I’ve been to. I’ve seen them in magazines but that’s it. Not seeing them around made me more determined to have one.” said Art.
For those of you not familiar with the American Austin Bantam, it is a very rare find with only around 20,000 cars ever produced during the 1930’s before its demise. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that the Bantam was recognized by hot rodders and used as altered wheelbase drag cars.
After being a pipe fitter/welder for many years Art had no problems fabricating and building the frame and other parts needed for the Bantam. The body was channeled and the complete floor panels were replaced. The door panels, kick panels, and transmission housing were all done in aluminum and lightly sanded to give it a brushed look.
The dashboard was reworked with Stewart Warner gauges and an old style Moon tach along with a Painless wiring kit to be sure everything electrical was well connected and working properly. The seats are old fiberglass dragster type with naugahyde covers. Harley Davidson logos line the interior and radiator support hints the name H/D Bantam..
The power plant is a summit racing 420hp/460 ft. lbs torque 383 Chevy stroker. Which is now fitted with an Edelbrock tunnel ram and 2 600 cfm four barrel carbs. The transmission is a 350 Hydro with a B&M pro ratchet shifter and TCI converter. The rearend is a 9” Ford housing 411 gears.
Art cruises the Bantam most everyday that the weather permits. And on a day like today even the breeze stops to listen. When Art isn’t wrenching and tearing up the back roads in the Bantam he’s enjoying riding his Harley Fatboy with his wife Danielle or cruising local shows with his 1955 Chevy hardtop.
If you ever get a chance to see Art’s 32′ American Austin Bantam take the time to relish its existence while you can, because it may be the last time you ever get to see a truly all American Austin Bantam again.
At first site you think its too far gone, but then you spark the torches and oil the grinder and a malevolent creation is born. -TT
