Austin Bantam antique cars return to home of their invention
Butler once again will be invaded by vehicles Wednesday, when members of the American Austin Bantam Club convene for the group’s 60th annual meeting.
But unlike the Bantam Jeep Fest that took place in early June, these vehicles are much slimmer and more compact, have a top speed of around 30 to 35 miles per hour and get about 50 miles to the gallon.
In other words, these are the Jeep’s precursor.
“These are all the antiques from 1930 to around 1942 — all pre-World War II,” said Jack Cohen, Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau president. “They are beautiful vehicles; they are fun to drive and great for people to see because it shows the history of our vehicles that were manufactured here in Butler.”
Cohen said there could be as many as 50 Bantam cars parked on Main Street between Brady and Cunningham streets Wednesday. The event takes place from 5 to 8 p.m., and Cohen said it’s a great chance for people to get an up-close and personal look at these antique cars.
“We’ll have these cars here, these antique vehicles people will be able to see and maybe even get a ride,” Cohen said. “These are owners who take a lot of pride in these vehicles.”
The American Austin Car Company was created to build the American version of the British Austin Seven, but reorganized as the American Bantam Car Company of Butler a few years later, according to a news release from the tourism bureau.
American Bantam was the first company to build the prototype of the Jeep, and 2,675 were built before the company lost its contract with the U.S. Army.
According to Cohen, people across the country keep the Bantam name alive by not only attending the annual meeting but maintaining their vehicles and showing them off at the “invasions” held each year.
“It’s part of our heritage, history and region and it’s the bureau’s responsibility to raise awareness of not only the amazing things in Butler County now, but how our residents and businesses have impacted the country throughout past decades,” Cohen said.
Chris Germana, president of the American Austin Bantam Club, said the club chooses a different meeting place every year, and it has been hosted in Butler several times because of the city’s historical significance.
Coming from New Hampshire, Germana said the annual event is like Christmas to car lovers and Jeep historians, because the meeting week also includes a swap meet and charity auction.
“For the 60th anniversary we wanted to come back to where they were invented,” Germana said. “Everybody comes from all over.”
Germana said a club member is bringing a prototype Jeep to the invasion event this year, which is a special draw for many enthusiasts. He also said some of the vehicle owners enjoy explaining their cars to visitors, and even giving people rides.
Already, Bantams may be seen traveling around Butler County as club members file in and traverse to different locales. Germana said it is all in the name of promoting history.
“We try to drive them around to get them noticed,” Germana said. “We always try to get people interested in Jeeps and the Bantam history.”
