this may not be the best place to ask, but I don't know where else to go. going to look at a 1930? bantam coupe (i think thats what they are called). wondering what others (if any) have done in replacing the tiny engine with a more modern tiny engine. also, where to get brakes, whl cyls etc. thanks for any help I might get..
Info here: Everything Bantam | American Austin & Bantam – Parts, Services, and Information HAMB thread: Hot Rods - Austin Bantam Hot Rods | The H.A.M.B. I Love the Austin Bantam's
That car is probably an American Austin which later became the Bantam. It is based upon the Austin 7 which was built in England. I have the English version - a 1934 Austin Ruby. They are a very small car and not a lot of parts fit. I am currently converting mine into an electric car with powertrain pieces sourced from China. Before deciding to go this route, I came up with a powertrain consisting of a 1000c.c. 3 cylinder Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift/Chevy Sprint/Pontiac Firefly engine coupled to a Suzuki Samurai transmission and a narrowed Ford 9" rear axle. It all fits but I hope the electric option will be easier. As far as front suspension, Super Bell will make a special narrowed dropped axle. On my car, I've gone Chinese as well with IFS pieces, but that is because I no longer have to deal with an engine in the front. Anyhow, I still have all the ICE pieces but Pa. is a far distance away. Send me a PM if you want more info.
Fitting a modern engine would be a challenge as mentioned in the Everything Bantam thread but certainly possible. I have a Bantam frame that I used to register my 1933 Austin Ruby body that is now serving as yard art. It has mechanical brakes and a partial torque tube driveline. The Ruby was a little bigger than the Bantam and had no frame so I built one and extended it 6" which is 12 inches longer than the Bantam frame and widened the body 4". It is still a tough cabin fit and is essentially a two seater. I stretched the frame in front of the firewall and installed a 215 Buick with a T5 transmission.
Maybe a Datsun A-15 and 5 speed out of a B210? Pretty small and not an overhead cam so it looks kind of like it belongs. And the Aussies make some cool speed goodies for these motors. But in stock it should make the little Bantam be a blast to drive. Don't think a 9 inch would be necessary. Maybe a S-10? Looking forward to see what you decide on.
I love the HAMB! An esoteric question answered quickly with great information. I seen a few and the stock space is really, really limited. I didn't read the links provided, but tiny would seem to include perhaps a Crosley engine which is newer but also pretty 'big' and limited. Maybe a single rotor Mazda like Rob Dahm is building but without turbo. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WBGUqYPQpc Motorcycle engines tend to be low on torque for a car weight, especially in smaller displacement and size along with driveline challenges. Maybe look into small industrial packages. EXAMPLE although liquid cooling would be better/quieter. https://predatorpowereast.com.au/product/30hp-petrol-engine-gb750-efi/
There is a good write up of Jim Lattin's Bantam in the September 2012 issue of Hot Rod Deluxe. I would like to scan it but I've replaced my printer/scanner with a new one and haven't a clue how to do it with this one.
I’ve always wanted an early Austin/Bantam. But I would keep it original. They were a cool looking micro car.
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