Huell introduces this episode of California’s Gold from May 2001 with a quick look at one of the many exhibits in the Petersen Automobile Museum in Los Angeles — but then he’s off to Pasadena to discover a collection of beautiful small cars from the 1930s. If you’re like me, you’ve probably seen these classic beauties in old films but never realized how special they are. The Austin Bantam Society is also still going strong; their most recent trophy meet was held in September 2022 in Twin Falls, Idaho.

When do you think the economy car hit the American market? Most people would say the ’70s or maybe the ’60s, but you might be surprised to know that in 1930, the American Austin car company premiered a miniature car that could get 40 miles to the gallon. The cars were not a huge success with the general public, but Hollywood fell in love! Huell visits with a man who has the largest collection of these little cars in the world. We’ll see some great cars and look at some fun film clips from Hollywood’s golden age.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)