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Re: what is it?

To: steveb5815@juno.com
Subject: Re: what is it?
From: Phil Bates <jello@ida.net>
Date: Fri, 31 Dec 1999 08:50:29 -0700
Can't say right or wrong on the Bantam, but I think Bantam was an American
car company, so their cars would be left hand drive.  My understanding of
Bantam is also that it was initially the American Austin company, and
produced the American version of the Austin "chummy."  And I don't think this
is a chummy, but again can't be sure.

For the trivia buffs - Bantam designed the first 4 wheel drive for the
military, contracted with the US military, which resulted in the military
owning the blueprints, and then contracting with Willy's to produce the Jeep
- thus effectively putting Bantam out of business.  Then the military
contracted with Ford to produce Willy's jeeps (with the willy's name, but at
ford factories) - thus later puting willy's out of business (not as
immediately as bantam), and sending the jeep production to AMC.  Interesting
but odd situation.

steveb5815@juno.com wrote:

> After all the discussion about the mystery car I had to take a look.
> Without doing any research it looks very much like a Bantam. I saw one at
> a car show at a place called Star Drive-In in Lakeville, Massachusetts
> last year. It was very narrow and tiny.
>
> SteveB
> www.bmcne.com


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