Everyone with an interest in boxing has heard of the bantamweight class: the division for fighters weighing up to 54 kilograms, between flyweight and featherweight.
But the American Bantam automobile is probably far less well known. Small, irresistibly charming, and now offered for sale in the upcoming Bilweb Auctions sale.
Interestingly, millions of Swedes encounter an American Bantam once a year—without even realizing it. Every Christmas Eve. It served as the inspiration for Mickey Mouse's car in the 1938 animated short Mickey's Trailer, in which Mickey, Donald Duck, and Goofy embark on a chaotic journey towing a caravan behind the car.
The car in the film is a convertible, while our auction car is a coupé, but it was built the very same year the cartoon was released: 1938.
This particular example was imported to Sweden from the United States in 1946. It underwent a restoration in 1991 and has remained in the same family since 2002. Over the years it has appeared at several classic motoring events, including the prestigious Gärdesloppet in Stockholm.
Fredrik Nyblad, our vehicle inspector, has only ever seen one other American Bantam—and that was in the United States.
"They really are tiny cars, especially inside the cabin," he says, pointing out that the Bantam is the same overall length as his own Mini—just 305 centimetres (120 inches).
"And bear in mind that the Bantam has separate front and rear fenders, which makes the passenger compartment feel even smaller," Fredrik adds.
Its compact dimensions are more than compensated for by its extraordinary charm. It's virtually impossible to look at an American Bantam without breaking into a broad smile.
The model traces its roots back to England, specifically to the Austin Seven—better known as the "Baby Austin"—introduced in 1922. The design was later built under licence by BMW, France's Rosengart, Datsun, and, most notably, the American Austin Car Company. Following a bankruptcy, the company was reorganized and renamed American Bantam.
The auction for this little gem closes on 1 July, with an estimated market value of SEK 140,000–160,000.
One final piece of advice:
If you're an elite basketball player, you might want to sit in it before placing your bid…
Till auktionen: https://bilwebauctions.se/en/juliauktion-1-2026/american-bantam-coupe-55010
