It's been eight years since Butler last hosted the annual American Austin Bantam Club rally. It's an honor for the city to host this year's rally - a rally during the coming week that will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the American Austin.

Making this an extra-special event will be attendance by members of the Pacific Bantam Austin Club for what will produce a joint rally.

Most members of the Pacific club are from California, while the American Austin club has members from around the United States, Canada and beyond.

Not only is the Butler area delighted to host the rally - a homecoming for vehicles built in Butler - but the event will provide several opportunities for area residents to catch a glimpse of this aspect of automotive history.

Newcomers to Butler might not realize that the city once was the home of three car manufacturers.

In terms of car manufacturing, Butler wasn't a General Motors or Ford Motor Co. in terms of size or scope. However, this aspect of the city is part of what makes Butler's history interesting.

City residents should relish this part of their community's past as they welcome members of the two car clubs to this beautiful part of Western Pennsylvania during the coming week.