Gramps - the grandaddy of all Jeeps

Ddays

Hooked

• Dec 30, 2015

• #1

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!

 

Last edited by a moderator: Dec 30, 2015

swampdog

New member

• Dec 30, 2015

• #2

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

 

Gadget

Caught the Bug

• Dec 30, 2015

• #3

Amazingly cool

 

TennJK

New member

• Dec 30, 2015

• #4

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

 

dchotrod

New member

• Dec 30, 2015

• #5

Thanks for sharing the cool pics & back story.

 

Jk909

New member

• Dec 30, 2015

• #6

Man that's awesome. Thanks for sharing

 

OJK12

New member

• Dec 30, 2015

• #7

That is really cool!!

 

2007 JKU CANADA

Hooked

• Dec 30, 2015

• #8

Thanks for the cool photos and story. :thumb:

 

soedog

New member

• Dec 30, 2015

• #9

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

 

thardy

Banned

• Dec 30, 2015

• #10

Too cool!! Thanks for posting.

 

Ddays

Hooked

• Dec 30, 2015

• #11

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

New member

• Dec 30, 2015

• #12

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.

 

D

Dwg

New member

• Dec 30, 2015

• #13

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

 

piginajeep

The Original Smartass

• Dec 30, 2015

• #14

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

 

AllAmericanInfidel

Caught the Bug

• Dec 30, 2015

• #15

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

 

Ddays

Hooked

• Dec 30, 2015

• #16

piginajeep said:

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

Click to expand...

Thanks buddy!

 

piginajeep

The Original Smartass

• Dec 30, 2015

• #17

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

 

Ddays

Hooked

• Dec 30, 2015

• #18

Dwg said:

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

Click to expand...

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

New member

• Dec 31, 2015

• #19

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

Hooked

• Dec 31, 2015

• #20

rewolfe13 said:

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

Click to expand...

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: