A Bite of History:  by Mike Thies

American Bantam “Woody” Station Wagon

The American Bantam Car Company was a small but innovative automaker based in Butler, Pennsylvania. Originally established as American Austin in the 1920s to produce miniature cars under license from the British Austin Motor Company, the firm reorganized as American Bantam in 1935. With a focus on building compact, fuel-efficient vehicles during the Great Depression, Bantam offered economical alternatives to the larger cars of the era, carving out a niche market for lightweight and quirky American-built subcompacts.

Throughout its brief lifespan, Bantam produced a range of charming and efficient vehicles including coupes, roadsters, convertible pickups, and the rare and collectible station wagon, often referred to as the “Woody.” Introduced in 1939, the Woody Wagon was a hand-built utility vehicle that featured genuine hardwood body framing and compact proportions. Fewer than 330 of these wagons were produced between 1939 and 1940, making them among of the rarest wood-bodied American production vehicles built.

Despite its small size, Bantam holds a monumental place in American military history. In 1940, the U.S. Army tasked Bantam with designing a lightweight reconnaissance vehicle. The result was the original prototype of what would become the "Jeep." Though the military ultimately awarded mass production contracts to Willys and Ford due to their scale and resources, Bantam’s design laid the groundwork for one of the most iconic military vehicles in history. Ironically, Bantam’s influence far outlived the company itself, which ceased automobile production shortly after.

One of the most distinctive features of the Bantam Woody Wagon was its window configuration. While all wagons came with roll-down glass windows in the doors, the standard factory offering included snap-on canvas side curtains for the three rear window openings (two side panels and the tailgate). However, for an additional cost, buyers could upgrade to sliding glass windows for the rear side panels and a fixed glass window in the lift-up tailgate. These rare glass-equipped models are distinguishable by the absence of snap studs on the wood framing and are highly prized among collectors today for their usability and uniqueness.