Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival Revs Up This Weekend

Article submitted by David Beran and CJ Bantam

The third annual Bantam Heritage Jeep Festival is taking place Friday June 14 through June 16 in Butler. More than 1,000 Jeeps are already signed up to attend the three day event.

At its inaugural event two years ago, the festival put itself on the map by setting the Guinness Book of World’s Records’ mark for total Jeeps in a parade.

For the vehicle’s 70th anniversary, 1,106 Jeeps paraded—and this year’s gathering is carrying on the traditions associated with all things Jeep.

You can expect a healthy dose of historical talks and presentations celebrating the iconic Jeep and its birthplace of Butler. There are also plenty of family attractions such as a little Jeepers playground and a Father’s Day buffet.

“The organization has been phenomenal and they put on quite a festival,” said Larry Johnson, a speaker at this year’s event. “Last year, they had an open sidewalk fair and there was a huge party downtown where it was neat to see all the Jeeps.”

Dave Eilers of e-willys, who is also appearing, is excited to attend his first Bantam Festival.

“I enjoy the good people I’ve met at other Jeep festivals,” he said. “They’re passionate about their vehicles, enjoy history, and will drop what they are doing to help a friend.”

Author of The Joys and Hazards of Buying a Vintage Jeep, Eilers will steer attendees on the fine points of vintage Jeeps.
Moses Ludel, who wrote The Jeep Owner’s Bible, recognizes how vital these gatherings are for the Jeep community and its rich history. Ludel’s 2004 guest presentation on the Jeep at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Massachusetts was the first Jeep discussion in the history of the museum.

“On that occasion, I was quick to acknowledge Karl Probst and the significant role that Bantam played in the development of a WWII quarter ton 4x4 prototype,” Ludel said.

• How-to clinics
• Guest speakers
• Historical presentations
• Flea market with vendors
• WWII encampment

Butler, Pennsylvania is cited as the birthplace of the Jeep where Roy S. Evans bought an auto factory in 1936. He redesigned the American Austin into the American Bantam and called it the BRC40.

“That stood for Bantam Reconnaissance Car and the 40 was not the year, but the horsepower,” according to Lee Bortmas.

Bortmas is slated to give talks at the Festival and is a member of the Butler County Historical Society. He also is affiliated with Pittsburgh’s Heinz Museum.

“Roy Evans encouraged his workers to do the original designs and the government had a list of specs they wanted,” Bortmas said.

Bantam felt they had their foot in the door, but soon Willys and Ford got involved in the race to create the first Jeep.

Larry Johnson sees the festival as a great chance for Jeep lovers of all eras and stripes to get together.

“They also have a WWII encampment set up and there’s a group of people that are really into the military aspect of it,” he said. “Bantam Jeeps are the highlight and the city has a small Bantam museum with automobiles on display.”

Speaker Julius Lorentzson belongs to the Military Vehicle Preservation Association that reconstructs the First Frontier Mechanized Cavalry encampment. The idea is that Jeeps functioned as a mechanized cavalry during WWII.

He marveled at the Butler building where the first Jeeps were built. “It’s the birthplace of the 4x4 industry and they’re trying to turn it into a museum,” he said.

On Friday, June 14, old and new enthusiasts will descend on Butler.

Vintage Jeeps will be on display and vendors will carry parts and accessories for contemporary 4x4s like soft tops and Jeep tire covers.

“Today ,we have the SUV and it has leather and air conditioning and TV, but underneath it’s a Bantam Jeep,” Bortmas said. “The Bantam is the grandfather of the SUV.”

For more information about the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, including a schedule of events, click here.