2011 Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival

It’s the quintessential jeep. The Jeep reputation was cast into steel during World War II and quenched in blood. The vehicle hardly could have been less than a success after that baptism of fire. Julius Lorentzson and Russell Dicks show this ’42 Ford GPW still has some “stuff” left.

It’s the quintessential jeep. The Jeep reputation was cast into steel during World War II

If asked to name the core of the Jeep universe, many would answer Toledo, Ohio. Butler, Pennsylvania, has a bone to pick with that, given that the first jeep vehicle was built there by the American Bantam Car Company in September, 1940. Bantam has long endured the proverbial “raw deal” by not being better remembered for developing a jeep-type vehicle, but Butler intends to correct that. For 2011 and the following four years, Butler will be hosting a Jeep Festival at the fairgrounds. It’s intended as a lavish, all-encompassing event for Jeep and 4x4 fans, but the pivot point is the connection to Bantam and the development of the jeep.

The ’11 Bantam Heritage Festival started off with a bang. Butler had the idea to set a new world’s record for the biggest Jeep parade. The Guinness World Record people were drafted to certify the result, 1,106 Jeeps. Miles and miles of Jeeps of every type and description, including four restored ’41 Bantam BRC40s. Butler police estimated the crowd lining Main Street for the parade at 35,000, a pretty good turnout for a city of 14,000.

Just a few miles northwest of Butler on Route 422, the Butler County Fairgrounds hosted 35,000 Jeep fans Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, as well as 91 product vendors and 664 registered show-and-shine Jeeps. If it was a Jeep, had even a minuscule amount of Jeep DNA, or shared in Jeep history, you found at least one example there, whether rusted, restored, or built-to-hilt. Sponsors were many and varied, including Jeep and Quadratec in the anchor positions but 4Wheel Drive Hardware, Nemacolin Offroad Driving Academy, Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, and 25 more helped the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau carry off the event.

There was something just right about this retro-looking CJ-8. It had front and rear winches, early Wagoneer hubcaps, no frills, and all the right gear.

There was something just right about this retro-looking CJ-8. It had front and rear winche

One of the motivations behind the Festival is to acquire and restore the last remaining Bantam factory building. Owned by AK Steel, Butler’s largest single employer, it isn’t used and is falling into disrepair. The idea is to turn the building into a museum. AK Steel has indicated that it might be willing to donate the building, but the repairs and renovation would be the responsibility of whatever organization is formed to manage the process. Step one is to raise lots of money, and to that end the Festival managed to put $20,000 into the coffers. Hopefully that’s just seed money.

American Jeep fans came from as far away as Texas and California for the festival and five other countries were represented, including Australia, Iceland, and India. Next year will probably be even better, so what’s your excuse for not going? Info on the 2012 Bantam Heritage Festival can be found at www.bantamjeepfestival.com.

Is this Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2011 or the liberation of a French village in 1944? Either way, there were fans galore.
Is this Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2011 or the liberation of a French village in 1944? Eithe
There were several courses through a wooded area on the fairgrounds. None were super-gnarly but above the average for an event like this. The potential was there to make some of it even gnarlier and that was discussed by the people from Rausch Creek Off Road Park and local clubs who set up the course. Recent rains as well as rains during the event ensured a fair bit of mud, but Boy Scout Troop 53 had a donation Jeep wash set up at trail’s end.
There were several courses through a wooded area on the fairgrounds. None were super-gnarl
This is the Bantam Administration building as it stands today just inside the grounds of AK Steel. You can see it from behind the Kmart just off Hansen Avenue in Butler. Besides Bantam Avenue in Butler, it’s the last physical link to the company that built the first �-ton 4x4s we now know as jeeps. Its survival is in jeopardy and a major goal of the Bantam Festival Event people is to raise money and preserve this piece of history. Donations are gratefully accepted, and you can find out how on the Festival website.
This is the Bantam Administration building as it stands today just inside the grounds of A

The Superstars of the event were four ’41 Bantam BRC40s. These prestandardized Bantams are extremely rare. Each has a history. The two on the left are held by the Butler Country Historical society and were restored by the local Bantam jeep Guru, Lee Bortmas. The one on the left was found locally in a bad state and restored using parts from another basket case. Second from the left is the factory service truck. It was built from leftover bits and pieces after Bantam jeep production was stopped, used as a factory service truck, and taken home by a Bantam exec when the company shut down. Next is Art Goodrich’s BRC, winner of First Place in the Bantam category of the show-and-shine. On the far right is a Bantam with a regal past. Not only was it used by the British 8th Army fighting Rommel in North Africa, after its return to England in 1943 it ended up on the Queen of England’s Estate in Balmoral, Scotland, and was used by the game keeper there. After its retirement, it was purchased and restored by an English
The Superstars of the event were four ’41 Bantam BRC40s. These prestandardized Bantams are
Arguing over a parking spot is not advisable in the case of this Vietnam-era Gun Truck replica. And, yes, it was built by Kaiser-Jeep!
Arguing over a parking spot is not advisable in the case of this Vietnam-era Gun Truck rep
It’s a workin’ CJ-2A. This rig had many vintage go-to-work accessories, and back in the day you would often see CJs set up this way for snowplowing. Most of them have rusted into the ground long ago, so a survivor like this is a feast for the eyes.
It’s a workin’ CJ-2A. This rig had many vintage go-to-work accessories, and back in the da

If you were a fan of old or obscure winches, there were plenty. This one is a ’60s-era Ramsey heavy-duty electric work gear winch and it’s a bit overkill on a flattie.
If you were a fan of old or obscure winches, there were plenty. This one is a ’60s-era Ram
From these tiny cars, the Bantam jeep was born. The Woody nearest the camera is a ’40 American Bantam Station Wagon and beyond is a ’33 American Austin Roadster. Certain body parts from the roadsters, most notably the cowl, went into the first 71 pilot model Bantam jeeps.
From these tiny cars, the Bantam jeep was born. The Woody nearest the camera is a ’40 Amer
You had to look twice to see the sweetness of this conversion. Take an ’80s era Ford Escort diesel, put it into an otherwise stock and pristine ’42 Ford GPW and make it look original, no easy task. But Will Matthews did it.
You had to look twice to see the sweetness of this conversion. Take an ’80s era Ford Escor

Several venues were available to get your Jeep dirty, from mild to moderate runs though the nearby woods, a built challenge course, and off-site trail rides. The challenge course, especially the mud run, was a crowd favorite and was attended all day. The bog got serious enough that even the backhoe got stuck! The rockcrawl also had its share of carnage. As “manufactured” courses go, these were better than most.
Several venues were available to get your Jeep dirty, from mild to moderate runs though th
A busy corner early Saturday morning shows the Class 1 and 2 sections of the show-and-shine, a corner of the Quadratec tent, the Rusty’s Off Road trailer, and the ever-popular food tent.
A busy corner early Saturday morning shows the Class 1 and 2 sections of the show-and-shin
John Hollenbaugh’s ’80 CJ-5 Renegade drew a lot of attention, as well as Second Place in the CJ-5/CJ-6 Class, mostly due to its original paint and interior.
John Hollenbaugh’s ’80 CJ-5 Renegade drew a lot of attention, as well as Second Place in t

Slat grille MBs are rare enough but this ’41 Willys Script (a very early build) painted in Navy colors and marked as being assigned to the Advanced Amphibious Training Base in Bizerte, Tunisia, (established in May 1943 to train for the invasion of Italy) is even more unusual. It’s marked on the rear as being assigned to the LST394.
Slat grille MBs are rare enough but this ’41 Willys Script (a very early build) painted in
A visit to the First Frontier Mechanized Cavalry WWII (FFMC) encampment is a step back into time. Not only do you get to see equipment and replica weapons, you get to see the everyday things that were part of a WWII soldier’s life. The FFMC is a living history/reenactment group that draws members from Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and Northern West Virginia.
A visit to the First Frontier Mechanized Cavalry WWII (FFMC) encampment is a step back int
Ray Corman’s Jeep inspired more than a few, “Why didn’t I think of that?” moments from folks who built Jeeps back in the day. His ’65 CJ-5 is powered by a ’64 Buick 300 V-8, an engine which was in the same family as the 225 V-6 found in Jeeps of the ’60s and early ’70s. Many parts interchange and with the mountings very similar, it was an easy swap. What’s more, with its aluminum heads and intake, it was a light engine for its displacement and power.
Ray Corman’s Jeep inspired more than a few, “Why didn’t I think of that?” moments from fol

Think of it, Rust Belters, a jeep that will never rust! Stainless steel chassis and body! Joe Dannels brought this Philippines-manufactured jeep to the show-and-shine, no shining required.
Think of it, Rust Belters, a jeep that will never rust! Stainless steel chassis and body!
There were two M422 Mighty Mites. Not really jeeps but certainly jeep-like. They were built by AMC in the late ’50s/early ’60s for the Marine Corps., but one of the designers was Harold Crist, also a principal in the development of the Bantam jeep.
There were two M422 Mighty Mites. Not really jeeps but certainly jeep-like. They were buil
Mike and Jill Thomas pulled a First Place in the Wagoneer, J-Truck, Truck, and FC Class with this restified ’63 FC-150. It’s mostly stock, but the Rally-type wheels and slightly larger tires are a nice visual touch. FW
Mike and Jill Thomas pulled a First Place in the Wagoneer, J-Truck, Truck, and FC Class wi