My brother (whom I still love for time being) has talked me into buying a fibergl*** '32 Bantam roadster body from an abandoned project. Does anyone here have any experience with these? Its an M. A. S. body. Not yet sure of its real condition. This purchase is a bit of a gamble but the price was low (or so i think) so it may be worth it. We'll be picking (scooping, shovelling?) it up saturday.
Just one guy's opinion. If you're looking for something kinda unique and it's cheap (i.e., less than $200) go for it. But you can buy a new MAS T-bucket body for about $350 and it's quite roomy by comparison. (I'll save the MAS bodies debate for another day. I've got one, and for the bucks it's fine). As to the Bantam, 99.9% were used for altered drag cars. You'll have to fabricate some type of windshield. Ditto for a dash. Most were produced without a firewall, so you'll need to fab that, too. And If you're over 6 feet tall, your knees will be sticking up over the doorline.But they are cool looking. Have seen a couple from the 60s and 70s that were turned into hot rods.
The newer offerings, I forget who, have an extended firewall. If you look at any old photos they cut out the rear deck and the driver sits between the tires. Look at the dimensions and imagine sitting in you hall closet and needing to move your right foot.
Luckily, we're of Norwegian descent (short legs, built close to the ground) so leg room should be less bothersome for us. Price was $150. Plywood firewall and floor are installed. PLYWOOD firewall! I'll let you guys know what we find when we get it. And, if I still like my brother..........
Ok, we got it! Looks good. Well, at least no cracks or other damage other than a slight relieving of the top of the rear deck's front edge right behind where the driver's seat goes. I guess someone was looking for a bit more room. The firewall and floor are made of 1" plywood. Very sturdy. My brother immediately made a deal with me for it. So, he's got it now. I knew he was going to do that. i just knew it. He's happy. Nice drive to get it. On the way home we stop the Cracker Barrel eatery on I35 south of Minneapolis and there's a small car show going on! Cool. Overall, a nice way to spend $80 worth of gas. All the way home he could only talk of what to do with it.
Way to go! Good price and certainly something that's novel in terms of a hot rod. As Phil said, it's likely they relieved behind the seat either for more seat room or for roll bar clearance. Remember these cars very fondly. Back in late '64, a local (W. KY) guy named Dave Green (the father of NASCAR drivers David, Jeff and Mark Green) built one with a 302 sbc, running 2 fours on a cross-ram (later injected). Ran through a Chevy 3 speed, using only two gears to a Pontiac rear end hung on quarter elliptics. Named "Ill Eagle" it consistently won Middle Eliminator wherever it ran as a B/Altered. Wheelstands were the norm and would sure love to see some old pics of that car. -- found 'em. Thanks www.olddrags.com You and your brother should have fun.
One fof our members just finished his Bantam, He however modified it with a longer cowl and opening doors. Great little cars, has that sort of fear for your life feeling when you ride around in it Pics here... http://www.underdogg.com/bantam.jpg
Saw an interesting approach to more room in a Bantam body at the Hunnert Car Pileup: stretching the body in the door area. My own feeling is if you're going to have a Bantam, put your knees under your chin and drive it. To each his own, though.
If you need it, just put an extended firewall/footwell on it like '33 and after Fords had. Put the "step" in it and it'll look "factory" Stretching the body looks, peculiar. It's not "cute" any more, just odd.
Remember these cars very fondly. Back in late '64, a local (W. KY) guy named Dave Green (the father of NASCAR drivers David, Jeff and Mark Green) built one with a 302 sbc, running 2 fours on a cross-ram (later injected). Ran through a Chevy 3 speed, using only two gears to a Pontiac rear end hung on quarter elliptics. Named "Ill Eagle" it consistently won Middle Eliminator wherever it ran as a B/Altered. Wheelstands were the norm and would sure love to see some old pics of that car. being your from the owensboro area .....i bought a 65 chevelle from a guy who got it from his uncle....his uncle eddie raced this car down there ....not sure of the last name of eddie ....barts last name is beers.....i have a picture somewhere of the car at the local strip ...racing a 65 300 post chevelle...the car was originally white ...but was painted red shortly after he bought it....brandon
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