First Composite Group Association
To Preserve The Past
For The Future
For The Future
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1940 Bantam Jeep
During
World War II, the US Army was looking for a vehicle to replace the
motorcycle as a mechanized form of transportation. The vehicle was
Classified "GP" for General Purpose, and was therefore referred to as
Jeep.
In 1940, the American Bantam Car Company of Butler, PA. constructed 62 quarter-ton, four-wheel-drive prototypes for the military.
Jeeps were produced in large numbers by Willys-Overland Motors, the Ford Motor Company, and the Bantam firm. According to one newspaper account, about 660,000 were made. Jeeps were incredibly important to the war effort and became for many a symbol of American ingenuity. This is one of the prototypes of the famous army vehicle.
In 1940, the American Bantam Car Company of Butler, PA. constructed 62 quarter-ton, four-wheel-drive prototypes for the military.
Jeeps were produced in large numbers by Willys-Overland Motors, the Ford Motor Company, and the Bantam firm. According to one newspaper account, about 660,000 were made. Jeeps were incredibly important to the war effort and became for many a symbol of American ingenuity. This is one of the prototypes of the famous army vehicle.
In 2007, one of the Bantam prototypes was donated to the First Composite Group Association. The following shows the restoration by FCGA members dedicated to "Preserve the Past for the Future."