- Joined
- Sep 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,227
- Reaction score
- 81
- Points
- 48
- Age
- 11
- Location
- USA
- Website
- www.igotajeep.com
Today, most people in most of the world are familiar with the Jeep, but few have ever heard of the American Bantam Company, or Butler, PA., for that matter.
The American Bantam Car Company invented, developed and produced one of the most famous vehicles in the world ? the Jeep and it all happened here in Butler, PA.
In 1940, the US Army asked 135 tractor and auto manufacturers to design a four-wheel drive, 40 horsepower, 1,300-pound reconnaissance car that could haul soldiers as well as heavy artillery. The challenge? The designer was expected to have a working prototype available for a test run within 49 days.
Only two companies responded to the request, The American Bantam Car Company of Butler, PA. and Willys-Overland Motors of Toledo, Ohio. Because Bantam promised to deliver the prototype in 45 days, they won the contract and the rest is history!
The Jeep over the last 75 years has had a huge following and every year in June people from all over the world come to Butler, PA for a weekend of everything Jeep. The event is called the Bantam Jeep Festival.
IGOTAJEEP.COM is proud to say that we live, eat and breathe Jeeps in the Butler PA area and are focused on making this the best community ever. We love Butler, PA and live here and see Jeeps daily. We hope you'll join us and share with us all your Jeep stories.
Jeep On!
God bless,
igotajeep
The American Bantam Car Company invented, developed and produced one of the most famous vehicles in the world ? the Jeep and it all happened here in Butler, PA.
In 1940, the US Army asked 135 tractor and auto manufacturers to design a four-wheel drive, 40 horsepower, 1,300-pound reconnaissance car that could haul soldiers as well as heavy artillery. The challenge? The designer was expected to have a working prototype available for a test run within 49 days.
Only two companies responded to the request, The American Bantam Car Company of Butler, PA. and Willys-Overland Motors of Toledo, Ohio. Because Bantam promised to deliver the prototype in 45 days, they won the contract and the rest is history!
The Jeep over the last 75 years has had a huge following and every year in June people from all over the world come to Butler, PA for a weekend of everything Jeep. The event is called the Bantam Jeep Festival.
IGOTAJEEP.COM is proud to say that we live, eat and breathe Jeeps in the Butler PA area and are focused on making this the best community ever. We love Butler, PA and live here and see Jeeps daily. We hope you'll join us and share with us all your Jeep stories.
Jeep On!
God bless,
igotajeep
