Business & Finance: Baby Reborn

Eight months after the stockmarket crash of 1929, the first American Austin scooted out of a factory at Butler, Pa. Copied from the immensely popular British Austin, it was 28 inches shorter than the smallest standard car, came up to a man's chin, cost $445 f. o. b. Butler. It ran 40 mi. on a gallon of gasoline, achieved a speed of 50 m. p. h. Two strong men could lift it into any 10-ft. parking space.

Few products ever received more spontaneous publicity. The first Austins were in constant danger of being upset by...

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