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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000892569-03-000039.txt : 20030107
<SEC-HEADER>0000892569-03-000039.hdr.sgml : 20030107
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030107135411
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000892569-03-000039
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-8
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030107
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20030107

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN VANGUARD CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000005981
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AGRICULTURE CHEMICALS [2870]
		IRS NUMBER:				952588080
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		S-8
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-102381
		FILM NUMBER:		03506276

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4695 MACARTHUR COURT
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9492601200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4695 MACARTHUR COURT
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AEROCON INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720620
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-8
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a86872sv8.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM S-8
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>American Vanguard Corporation Form S-8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="76%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="21%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;7, 2003.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Registration No.&nbsp;333-</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<HR size="4" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -5px">
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -10px">








<P align="center"><FONT size="4"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</FONT>
</DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>FORM S-8</B></FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<br>
Under<br>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</FONT>
</DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="6"><B>AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION</B></FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</FONT>
</DIV>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>95-2588080</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>4695 MacArthur Court, Suite&nbsp;1250</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Newport Beach, California</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>92660</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION<BR>
1994 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN*</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Eric G. Wintemute<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
4695 MacArthur Court</B>, <B>Suite&nbsp;1250<BR>
Newport Beach, California 92660<BR>
(949)&nbsp;260-1200</B><BR>
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">Copy to:</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>John B. Miles, Esq.<BR>
McDermott, Will &#038; Emery<BR>
18191 Von Karman Avenue, Suite&nbsp;500<BR>
Irvine, California 92612-0187<BR>
(949)&nbsp;851-0633</B></FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="28%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="12%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="17%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of securities</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount to be</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>offering price per</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>aggregate offering</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>to be registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Registered<sup>(1)</sup></B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>share</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>price</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>registration fee</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="1">Common Stock (par
value $.10 per
share)<sup>(1)</sup></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="1">
99,973 shares<sup>(3)</sup>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="1">$21.925<sup>(2)</sup>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="1">$2,191,908<sup>(2)</sup>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="1">$</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="1">201.66</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P>
<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">*</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">This Registration Covers the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and
restated by the 1994 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and the
Second Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (collectively, the
&#147;Plan&#148;).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">In addition to the number of shares of Common Stock stated above, this
Registration Statement covers options and other rights to purchase or
acquire the shares of Common Stock under the Plan and, pursuant to Rule
416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, an additional
indeterminate number of shares, options and rights which, by reason of
certain events specified in the Plan, may become subject to the Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the amount of the
registration fee pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, based on the average of the high and low sales prices of a share
of Common Stock of American Vanguard Corporation (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) as
reported on the American Stock Exchange on December&nbsp;30, 2002.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Represents the registration of shares of Common Stock issuable under the
Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B></FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement registers 99,973 additional shares of Common
Stock of the Registrant for issuance pursuant to the Plan. The contents of the
earlier Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 in respect of the Plan, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;2, 2002, Registration
No.&nbsp;333-76218 are hereby incorporated by reference.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000"> SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001"> INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a86872exv5w1.htm">EXHIBIT 5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a86872exv23w1.htm">EXHIBIT 23.1</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>






<!-- link1 " SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the undersigned registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly
caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newport Beach, State of
California, on the 7th day of January, 2003.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><FONT size="2">AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By:
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ James A. Barry</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR align="left" size="1" width="100%" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;James A. Barry, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Secretary/Treasurer and Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints
Eric G. Wintemute and James A. Barry and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to sign on his
behalf, individually and in each capacity stated below, all amendments and
post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto and any other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and
purposes as each might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
each act that said attorneys-in-fact and agents may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue thereof.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities indicated on January&nbsp;7, 2003.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="65%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Eric G. Wintemute<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Eric G. Wintemute</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
President,   Chief   Executive   Officer  and  Director   (Principal<BR>
Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ James A. Barry<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
James A. Barry</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary/Treasurer<BR>
and Director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">2</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="65%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Herbert A. Kraft<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Herbert A. Kraft</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Co-Chairman</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Glenn A. Wintemute<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Glenn A. Wintemute</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Co-Chairman</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ John B. Miles<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
John B. Miles</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Carl R. Soderlind<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Carl R. Soderlind</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Jay R. Harris<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Jay R. Harris</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">3</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<!-- link1 " INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B></FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Description of Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
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    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion and Consent of McDermott, Will &#038; Emery (filed herewith).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

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    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, independent certified public accountants
(filed herewith).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of McDermott, Will &#038; Emery (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (included on signature page).</FONT></TD>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">4</FONT>




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<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>a86872exv5w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 5.1
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">EXHIBIT 5.1</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">OPINION OF McDERMOTT, WILL &#038; EMERY</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&#091;McDermott, Will &#038; Emery Letterhead&#093;</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">January&nbsp;7, 2003
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">American Vanguard Corporation<BR>
4695 MacArthur Court, Suite&nbsp;1250<BR>
Newport Beach, California 92660
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;RE: Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have acted as counsel for American Vanguard Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;)
in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on
Form&nbsp;S-8 (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) for the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 99,973 shares of the Company&#146;s Common
Stock, par value $.10 per share (the &#147;Registered Shares&#148;), which may be issued
pursuant to the Company&#146;s 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated by
the 1994 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and the Second Amended and
Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (collectively, the &#147;Plan&#148;).
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In so acting, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement, the Plan and
such corporate records, agreements, documents and other instruments and such
certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and
representatives of the Company, and have made such inquiries of such officers
and representatives, as we have deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for
the opinions hereinafter set forth.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies and the
authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. As to all questions of
fact material to this opinion that have not been independently established, we
have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of officers and
representatives of the Company.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications stated herein,
we are of the opinion that the Registered Shares, when issued pursuant to and
in accordance with the terms of the Plan against payment of the purchase price
provided for therein, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby consent to the reference to our firm in the Registration
Statement and to the filing of this opinion by the Company as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
</FONT>

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    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Yours very truly,</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
/s/ McDermott, Will &#038; Emery</FONT></TD>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>a86872exv23w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23.1
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">EXHIBIT 23.1</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT<BR>
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">American Vanguard Corporation<BR>
Commerce, California
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference as part of this
Registration Statement of our report dated March&nbsp;1, 2002 (except for Note 16,
which is as of March&nbsp;18, 2002 and Note 17, which is unaudited), relating to the
consolidated financial statements and schedules of American Vanguard
Corporation appearing in the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year
ended December&nbsp;31, 2001.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Los Angeles, California<BR>
January&nbsp;7, 2003
</FONT>

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