Gramps - the grandaddy of all Jeeps

[Ddays]

So I finally got down to see the WWII display in Pittsburgh at the Heinz History center today with my daughter. The exhibit highlights the contributions made by companies and individuals in the Pittsburgh region. The highlight for me was the display of the oldest known surviving Bantam Jeep that was made by the American Bantam Car Company in Butler, which is a town roughly 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Also included near the end are photos of the revised Jeep used throughout the war. Hope you enjoy these!

 

[swampdog]

Sweet pictures and an awesome story to boot. Thanks for sharing

 

[Gadget]

Amazingly cool

 

[TennJK]

Always liked reading things like this. Glad you posted this thread.

 

[dchotrod]

Thanks for sharing the cool pics & back story.

 

[Jk909]

Man that's awesome. Thanks for sharing

 

[OJK12]

That is really cool!!

 

[2007 JKU CANADA]

Thanks for the cool photos and story. :thumb:

 

[soedog]

Thank you that's a cool piece of history. Snapped this in the park in downtown Butler when there for Bantam Jeep Fest.

 

[thardy]

Too cool!! Thanks for posting.

 

[Ddays]

Glad everyone is enjoying these. There was a video showing the testing that these went through and you wouldn't believe some of the scenes. They were jumping these things 3 feet in the air with 4 GI's in them while towing one of the trailers and they just kept motoring on. I tried to record the video but there were just too many people there.

 

[Recurve]

Thanks for sharing!! Didn't realize the bantam has a lot of subtle differences. It's funny, I think the willys looks older with its flatter lines.

 

[Dwg]

This is great! I know with the right leadership we can still do this kind of thing. I love seeing this stuff. Thanks!!!!!

 

[piginajeep]

Awesome! I edited your posts so we don't have to click on the small pics.

 

[AllAmericanInfidel]

Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing! That Bantam is a gorgeous piece of history!

 

[Ddays]

Awesome! I edited your posts so we don't have to click on the small pics.

Thanks buddy!

 

[piginajeep]

If I ever hit the lotto, I'm going to pay someone to reproduce me one of these..

 

[Ddays]

This is great! I know with the right leadership we can still do this kind of thing. I love seeing this stuff. Thanks!!!!!

The thing that amazes me the most was that these guys were able to design and produce the working prototype as pictured in 46 days! Stop and think about that. That's unbelievable!
This exhibit focused on the Pittsburgh regions contributions to WWII, but the truth is everyone everywhere contributed like this. Goes to show what we can be capable of when we all stand as one.
The sacrifices that the civilians and all of the military forces made were just unfathomable when compared to what our standard of living is nowadays. This kind of stuff is extremely humbling.

 

[rewolfe13]

Awesome pictures and write up. The Ernie Pyle quote is great. If they could only see where you all take jeeps now a days.

 

[Ddays]

Awesome pictures and write up. The Ernie Pyle quote is great. If they could only see where you all take jeeps now a days.

I'm really kicking myself now for not trying harder to record that video they had running. I'm telling you, they pounded the living shit outta these little guys and that was just the testing.
Wonder what one could do with 35's! :crazyeyes: