1935 American Austin Two-Door Sedan Delivery

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

* * * 

American Austin began production for the 1930 model year in Butler, Pennsylvania. Despite being introduced during the Great Depression; America was not quite ready for a small car based on the English Austin Seven. With just 15hp on tap, and a base price of $445, the car cost just $5 more than a Ford Model A while offering 40 mpg. Styling came courtesy of Alexis de Sakhnoffsky.   

Fewer than 10,000 were built before the company found itself in receivership in 1932; bankruptcy in 1934; and re-emerging as the American Bantam Car Company in 1937. Despite designing and producing the first successful Jeep for the U.S. Army in 1940, Ford and Willys garnered the bulk of the military contracts for production. Final vehicles left the assembly line in 1941.  

This jaunty little American Austin will bring a smile to the face of everyone who sees it. Once restored, it will provide an excellent opportunity to promote your business, or unrestored, it could be a great piece of automotive art for any collector of vintage automobilia.   

Highlights  

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection  

• Very complete restoration project 

• Unique piece of yard art 

• Considered the rarest of the American Austin bodystyles 

• Styling by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky 

• Great opportunity to promote your business 

 Features  

• Accessory E-L-C headlamps 

• Disc wheels 

• Split vee windscreen 

• Restoration project 

Ownership History  

This 1935 American Austin Two-Door Sedan Delivery is known as the “creek bed car,” as it was rescued from the bed of a creek by J.B. Nethercutt. 

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “You’ve heard of the Mullin’s 'Lady of the Lake.' Well, this is our very subtle version of that. This car was pulled from a creek in Memphis, Tennessee. We are lovers of tiny cars and have several on display in our museum. However, this restoration project may be too far out on the calendar for us. Also, it would make for a great decoration!” 

Additional Notes  

Sold on Bill of Sale only.

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Donnie Gould    Phone: 954.647.0779     email: dgould@hagerty.com