The D-1347 raised numbers on the cylinder block are the casting and part numbers, and not the motor numbers for all years of American Austin (1930-1935 models), and some very early 1938 Bantams.

The American Austin and Bantam engine numbers are located on the drivers side (left hand drive cars) at the rear of the aluminum crankcase, on the horizontal surface, just inboard of the part of the crankcase the starter mounts to. For American Austins 1930 to 1933 (series A and series 275 cars) the engine numbers would start with the letter L followed by up to 5 digits, such as L12345. We call this the "L" engine, and if it is in it's original configuration, the generator is gear driven off the cam gear, and mounted at a right angle to the longitudinal centerline of the engine block, and the distributor is mounted on the outboard end of the generator.

On 1934 series 375, and 1935 series 475 American Austins, and all Bantams, the generator is mounted parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the engine block and is V belt driven. The distributor is driven directly off the cam gear at the front of the engine.The engines for the 1934 series 375 and 1935 series 475 are known to us as the"M" engine.

The engine numbers start with the letter M followed by 5 digits (always 5 digits), such as M16950. Bantam engine numbers had no letter prefix and started with 60001.

On the right side (passenger side) of the aluminum crankcase there are raised numbers which are the casting date. For example: 8-12-30. We have found a lot of 1930 dates, no 1931 dates, a few 1932 dates, quite a few 1933 dates, and some as late as November of 1934. We have received a couple of sightings, with 1936 dates, but since the records indicate that American Austin production ceased in late 1934, I am inclined to believe the 1936 dated crankcases were built for replacement parts, or for industrial equipment while American Austin was in receivership prior to or during the time that Roy Evans reorganized the company as the Bantam Car Company. One of our Club members has a industrial pump unit with an American Austin engine with a 1936 crankcase casting date.

The serial numbers under which the American Austins were originally sold are located on the horizontal portion of the left frame rail, just below the engine oil level dip stick. The series A cars (1930-1932) had numbers that started with the letter A followed by a dash(-) or numeral 1 layed sideways followed by up to 5 digits (numbers). For example: A-12345. (there have been some reported sightings on early cars where there is no letter A; just numbers.) The second series American Austins, 1933 models, series 275 had serial numbers that had 275 followed by a dash or numeral 1 layed sideways, followed by up to 4 digits. For example: 275-1234. The factory started over again with the numbers with the 275 series starting with 275-101. the numbers were then continuous to the end of production in late1934 for the few 1935 models produced. The numbers were continuous, but the series designation changed to 375 for the 1934 models , and 475 for the 1935 models. The 375 and 475 series cars had the "M" type engine as described above.

From the body plate number you indicated as 138-6827, by comparing body numbers of other cars sighted, and from the records of Club member Lynn James, your car seems to fall within the 275 or later series. If the frame and body are together as the original assembly, the frame serial number should tell us which series car it is. The 138 indicates the car is a American Austin "business coupe" as compared to a regular coupe which was body series 137. The only other American Austin body series, known to date, is the 142 series roadster. Commercial vehicles had numbers only with no body series number designation. For example, my 1933 panel truck has body number 300, with no series indicated.

The body series 138 American Austin coupe in the 1930 to 1932 A series cars was a 3 window coupe. The window count is 1 for each door and 1 for the rear window for a total of 3. (the windshield is not counted in window count terminology). The 137 regular coupe is known as a 5 window coupe. The window count is 1 for each door, plus 1 for each of the quarter windows, plus the rear window for a total of 5. All 1930 to 1932 series A closed American Austins had a verticle windshield. The 2 door hinges were placed near the top and bottom of each door.

For the 275 , 375 and 475 series cars, the 3 window coupe was no longer offered.(with possible exception of one sighting several years ago). Only 5 window coupes were made, and the regular coupe was a 137 body designation, and the business coupe was a 138 designation. The major differences appear to be the seating arrangement,(single bucket, with optional second bucket seat or optional bench seat), and the interior arrangement and trim of the interior package area. The bodies had a slant winshield (the top of the windshield was further back on the car than the bottom). The doors were hinged near the bottom of the door and at the beltline. (the upper hinge was no longer near the the top of the door).