Anybody have any pictures/info about this car? I've searched every bantam thread here and have never seen it before.
It is a Bantam, think it was in Street Rodder many years ago -- 70's maybe? Did you find in on the E-Bay ad for the Bantam coupe remains in Washington state?
I believe the red one was Marv Ginter's. Narrowed rear end, SBC powered, allegedly very fast. Was around Santa Monica in the early '60s. The yellow one (Car Craft article) was Randy Chaddock's, built six or eight years earlier in the SFV. Flathead powered. Saw it at the Petersen Motorama ca. 1955, loved it, never saw it again.
Thanks for all the info, I'm starting my 38 bantam soon. I was going to chop it but after looking at these photos I'm not sure thats the route I'm going to go.
Marv's still around and building a 57 chevy, say he misses the Bantam but can't remember who he sold it to.
I don't think I would consider chopping one of these! They are pretty limited on room any way you slice them! I just finished one up for a client here in Phoenix, (there is a mid construction shot on "Hot rod Bantams" thread). Ironically, I got the build because I had a copy of Popular Hot Rodding in my car with that car on the cover, and knew who Marv Ginther is! I would post a picture of it finished, but it's wheel and tire choice is not exactly H.A.M.B. friendly... I do know where an ultra rough body is for sale locally here!
I am shy of 6 feet and I fit into nearly everything. The Bantam is a tight fit...but better than a chopped and channeled '28 Model A Coupe!!!!!!!!!!
I'm exactly 6' and mostly arms and legs, and tip the scales at an even 195 everyday. After absolutely maximizing every inch of usable space in this thing with a real minimal channel and no chop, my head is just below the open roof top. To realy drive this thing any amount of real time (like say the L.A. to Phoenix runat 6 hours or so) would be a real uncomfortable deal. Not saying I wouldn't, but it would be tough. the owner of the car wants to fill the roof, But I keep trying to get him to use a cloth fold back sunroof manufactured locally here that would keep most of the open spaces above to kill the clostrophobia. Funny part is he runs more like 240 and 6' 1" and barely fits...
They're a tight fit for sure, but I'm 6'5"-230 and it is do-able, by leaning the seat back and keeping it low. Think go-cart seating. What's challenging is the width, add a passenger, then shift gears.
I agree--- but nearly ALL early coupes are tight. My first ride in a '32 3 window when I was a teen was an eye opener, I was SHOCKED how tight it was! Even now, most early cars are a tight fit ..... (and I am 170 pounds soaking wet)......... The roll back sunroof was EXACTLY what I had in mind with the Bantam body I just sold. Still might do it on a Model A or something.... A guy I worked for back in the 90's...in a rod shop.... was originally an East Coaster in the late 50's early 60's...LOTS of channeled cars. He had a LOT of "solutions" for getting big older guys to fit in cars (LOL). One of the more interesting solutions was to "drop" the seat pan like modern cars with a seating position like a Corvette (or GoKart). We had a channeled T-bucket once where the driver sat so low his shoulder barely broke the top of body.... it was OT...but the principles apply. Also...looked a bit odd with such a long steering column.
The problem with the Bantams are most builders (including myself) cut the cowls off at the bead line where the stock hood ended, a natural place to cut them but it just kills the leg room. With so much interest in metal shaping today IMO the partial answer to the space problem is to lengthen the cowl several inches . It certainly couldnt hurt.<O</O I remember the Marv Ginter Bantam very well, it was the car that inspired me to build my BBC powered Bantam coupe when I returned home from Vietnam in 1969. Ginters coupe was featured on the cover of Popular Hot Rodding in June, 1963 when red and also featured in Rod & Custom at a later date when it was re-painted yellow. The body was so severely raked on the frame that the firewall leaned forward severely as well and made the car look kind of bent from a direct side view. A smart photographer from Popular Hot Rodding had a pretty girl kneel down right in front of the firewall (see photo in post #1) blocking it from view, well thats my take on it anyway. About 10 or so years ago I saw Ginters coupe for sale in one of those comic book style publications that features rods, customs & high performance cars from all over the country so theres a good chance the car is still around somewhere. I've got another body (not for sale) stored away. ~ John Buchtenkirch <O></O>
Funny you should mention the raked channel on that car! When my client and I were sorting out the build and getting going, he kept saying "your gonna do it JUST like this one, right?" Yup, all but the channel! "No, I want it that way" Then take it over to Don... I won! That's the only thing I can't stand about Ginther's car. I too if I had this to do over again would leave about 2" of the firewall (Maybe 3") intact instead of cutting to the cowl line. Just wish it didn't look soooo damn good trimmed back like that!
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