From the sublime to the ridiculous

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Two things struck us in Worldwide Auctioneers Corpus Christi sale, to take place on 4 and 5 October. First, there’s the number of pedal cars on offer, which has to be seen to be believed. The full inventory can be found here, all nicely photographed and looking very desirable. We especially like the 1930s Steelcraft ones, but hey – they are no real cars.

So, let’s focus on a slightly more grown-up vehicle for slightly more mature persons. Well, only just. The Bantam Riviera may be a real car – it does look like it has been driven from the fairground. With its 1,200cc, inline four-cylinder engine it’s good for 50hp, and with a four-speed manual, it is said to be able to do 60 mph - if you dare.

The history of this vehicle is interesting also. American Bantam started where the American Austin Car Company ended in 1934 and lasted up until the War when the company lost the bid on the US Army contract for the Jeep. The Bantam Riviera convertible that’s on offer is a rare vehicle, designed by none other than Alex Tremulis and dating back to 1941. It is even said to be a one-of-a-kind “as this chassis #66229 is the only example known to exist with all its unique features.”

The second thing that struck us is the sheer number of 1938 Cadillacs being offered. We counted seven of them, clearly from the same collection and all looking very good. From a highly original 60 Series sedan to a 65 Series ‘Resto Rod’, lowered and with dark tinted windows. The most desirable one has to be the Series 90 V16 Seven-Passenger Sedan in a rare paint colour: Fairhaven Blue iridescent paint – believed to be the first use of metallic paint finish on a production car. There is a 60 Series sedan in the same colour, with a slightly more down-to-earth V8 engine. Your favourite?

Words by Jeroen Booij. Photographs courtesy Worldwide Auctioneers.

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