Hauler Back! American Bantam Pickup Rides In Silverado Cargo Box
No, this is not GM's secret attempt at a range-extended full-size pickup. We've been taking a few days off visting the Grand Canyon when we came across this amazing sight in the park -- a late-model GMT800 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD crew cab diesel long box parked with a rare American Bantam pickup in the bed!
American Bantam cars and trucks were designed by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. They were built from 1938 to 1940, derived from the English Austin Seven. The car version averaged 35 mpg and could hit 50 mpg at a steady 30 mph. Its four-cylinder gas engine was rated at only 20 horsepower. Prices started around $330!
The tiny Bantam pickup weighed about 2,000-pounds, well under the Silverado's 3,163-lbs. maximum payload rating. It was only about 10-feet long.
The Bantam's bed sticks out about a foot past the lowered tailgate of the Silverado's 8-foot long cargo box, but its front wheels sat approximately a foot back from the front of the Silverado's box.
Too bad future CAFE requirements for light trucks won't allow setting fuel economy with a Bantam in the bed to average out the number!
Comments
I wonder what that extra weight does to the gas mileage...
Hello,
I am the owner of the owner of the Bantam picture . I was amazed to see this on this site! A friend from Kansas sent me the link. That is a great picture. It was a fun trip. We were on our way to or from Boulder Nevada for the Austin Bantam Society Annual Trophy Meet. I can't tell where the picture was taken.
Someone commented about the fuel mileage,round trip from the Fort Worth, Texas area to Boulder and back we got 18.8 MPG of diesel. One thing I will note, the Bantam pickup only weighs about 1,200 pounds.
If interested you can Google "Austin Bantam" and find out more about these great little cars, trucks and the first ever American Military Jeep that was designed, built and delivered in 49 days.
Paul
Thanks for posting Paul.
I took the picture while I was with my family at the Grand Canyon. They had trouble pulling me away the sight of your trucks to see the park!
1,200 pounds is flyweight compared to the HD Silverado.
Regards,
Mike
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