Exhibition a showcase of Butler’s automotive past
BUTLER TWP — Butler County was long known primarily as the birthplace of the Jeep.
On Sunday, March 16, Experience Butler County celebrated the county’s automotive heritage with Butler-Built Garage, an exhibition featuring a collection of lovingly restored antique vehicles made decades ago in Butler plants.
“We have stored the cars, and worked on the cars, and shined them up and everything,” said Amy Pack, president of Experience Butler County. “Previously they'd just been going to festivals, parades and things like that to exhibit. We wanted the public to see them more often, and make them more accessible to learn about the history of the Bantam and how important that is to Butler.”
The cars on display were relics of long-gone car manufacturers, such as Pullman, Standard, Huselton and Austin — all of whom had a presence in Butler County. This included American Austin, the short-lived U.S. division of the British car manufacturer which lasted from 1929 to 1934.
Eight vehicles were on display at Butler-Built Garage, 110 Barracks Road, including one which dated back to 1909. According to Pack, all of them were in working condition except for one 1920 Standard vehicle which was displayed as a skeleton.
Each of the eight vehicles — even the skeleton — drew plenty of attention.
“My favorite vehicle is the (1939) Bantam Speedster,” said Mars resident and automotive enthusiast Jason Moka. “Great color, it’s small, it’s well-preserved, it’s elegant … it’s a great car.”
The club responsible for maintaining the vehicles is the Old Stone House Region Antique Automobile Club of America.
“They’re the ones that maintain these cars and make sure they get to festivals and parades and things like that,” Pack said.
The garage on Barracks Road which hosted the exhibition was formerly home to a Subaru dealership — in fact, some Subaru signage still litters the walls.
Part of the building is also being used as a branch office by state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th. Pack says Mustello “loves” having the antique cars in the same building as her office.
The first day of the exhibition was March 16, and it will reopen on the third Sunday of every month until September 2025 — except for April, in which the event is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, to avoid Easter. The exhibit will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
“We're just delighted that the public is coming out to see these,” Pack said. “It's so important to share the history and the collection.”
