Bantam Jeep Fest Recap
Butler, PA, with it’s beautiful landscape and small town charm has a little secret. Well it’s not much of a secret, it’s more of a heritage; the heritage of the Jeep; the birthplace of the Jeep. Over seven decades ago when the Army requested auto manufactures develop a light weight reconnaissance vehicle to use on the battlefields during WWII. Only 2 companies stepped up to the plate one being Willys-Overland and the other being the American Bantam Car Company in Butler, PA. Bantam original won the contract, but ultimately Willys received the commission with the help of Ford to meet the military’s quota. Fast forward 70+ years and the town of Butler decides to celebrate it’s heritage by hosting a Jeep gathering. Last year being the inaugural year the event set a Guiness world record for the longest Jeep parade and followed it up by starting this year’s event with…
In Route to Butler, PA for the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival
BDS Suspension hit the road this morning in route to Butler, PA for the 2nd Annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. The festival takes over the town of Butler, PA as thousands gather to celebrate all that is Jeep; the people, the lifestyle, and most importantly the heritage. Back in 1940 the US Army requested auto manufacturers design a light weight 4wd reconnaissance vehicle. The Bantam Reconnaissance Car (BRC) was built and originally chosen, but due to unattainable production demands, the contract was given to Ford and Willys who produced over 600,000 Jeeps during WWII. The event is sure to be a great time for the whole family. Events start Friday night with the invasion of downtown Butler and continue Saturday and Sunday out at the Butler Fairgrounds. BDS Suspension will be out in the vendor area next to Meridian Offroad Center so stop by to see us and take advantage…
Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival Recap
Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival Butler, PA Â Â Aug.12-14, 2011 The guys from BDS took that familiar cruise along I-80 from Coldwater, MI to Butler, PA to hang out with Meridian Off Road Center at the 1st Annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival this past weekend. Hosted by Butler Country, this historic event was nothing short of amazing as well over 1000 Jeeps of all years, sizes, shapes, and pedigrees inundated the area and held the largest Jeep parade in history. Butler is the known as the birthplace of the Jeep, where back around 1940 the Bantam Car Company won the bid to manufacture a small light-weight 4WD vehicle to aid in the war efforts. BDS made it early and set up in the vendor area next to our local distributor, Meridian Off Road Center, a local 4×4 shop to Butler, PA offering top-notch service with over 27 years of experience.…
Loading up for Butler, PA: Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival
BDS is loading up the trailer and getting ready to hit the road tomorrow for Butler, PA for the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival this weekend Aug. 12-14, 2011. The cruise from Michigan to Pennsylvania along I-80 has become routine with this our 3 trip this month for PA Jeeps Show, Carlisle Truck Nationals, and now The Bantam Jeep Festival. The show has all the makings to be enormous with the entire town of Butler, PA chipping in to host events, parades, demonstrations, off-road trail rides, live music, show and shine, and Jeep playground. Butler, PA if you didn’t know was the birthplace of the Jeep where back in 1940 the Bantam Car Company produced the first all purpose military vehicle back in 1940-41. Come celebrate the heritage of Jeep with us!