Butler in Butler County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Invention Of The Jeep
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 22, 2011
1. Invention Of The Jeep Marker
Inscription.
Invention Of The Jeep. . In September 1940 a team headed by Karl Probst delivered to the United States Army a prototype for the World War II jeep. This small, four-wheel drive vehicle was produced by the American Bantam Car Company, located one block east. Here, Bantam manufactured 2,675 jeeps. Although larger companies ultimately received the chief wartime orders, it was Bantam, in cooperation with the Army-that originally created the jeep.
In September 1940 a team headed by Karl Probst delivered to the United States Army a prototype for the World War II jeep. This small, four-wheel drive vehicle was produced by the American Bantam Car Company, located one block east. Here, Bantam manufactured 2,675 jeeps. Although larger companies ultimately received the chief wartime orders, it was Bantam—in cooperation with the Army-that originally created the jeep.
Erected 1993 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Location. 40° 51.246′ N, 79° 54.697′ W. Marker is in Butler, Pennsylvania, in Butler County. Marker is at the intersection of Hansen Avenue and Renaissance Drive, on the right when traveling north on Hansen Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Butler PA 16001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. General Richard Butler (approx. 0.9 miles away); Butler County (approx. 0.9 miles away); George Edward Waddell (approx. 7.7 miles away);
3. A Bantam "peep car" or "jeep" negotiating rough terrain during test trials for the U.S. Army
After successful tests of its pilot Scout car, Bantam made some improvements, and introduced more military looking, squared-off front fenders in its Reconnaisance Car vehicles. In late 1941, Bantam stopped manufacturing jeeps after losing the Army contract to large auto makers Willys and Ford.
U.S. Army Transportation Museum
Photographed By Unknown, 1940
4. The first "Jeep" vehicles manufactured by the Bantam Motor Car Company
After receiving its first Army contract, Bantam hand-built sixty-nine BRC-60s (the Mark II)–seventy, including the pilot: forty for the Infantry, twenty for the Cavalry, and ten for the Field Artillery.
United States Army
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,762 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 22, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on July 27, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.