Austin Bantam meet here
The American Austin Bantam Club will return to Butler for its 50th national meet from July 29 to Aug. 1.
The club has hosted its national meet in 20 states and Canada, but the group returns to the birthplace of the Jeep and the home of the American Bantam for the eighth time.
George Halin and his wife, Karol, of Butler will host the event for the second time.
“It's a fun event for the community,” Halin said. “It's always different.”
The meet had its largest turnout in 2005, the last time it was in Butler, with more than 75 Austin and Bantam cars here. The reason for the large crowd was that both the East and West Coast American Austin Bantam Clubs were here.
Halin expects about 100 people and more than 30 Austin and Bantam cars to be at the meeting this year, with people from as far away as Alaska already registered.
Participants will stay at the Days Inn, where they will display their cars to the public at 3 p.m. on July 30 and 4 p.m. on July 31.
The four-day event will give owners and enthusiasts a chance to bond over a common passion. But visitors don't have to own a car to enjoy the meet.
“We strive to keep their memory alive,” Halin said. “You don't need to own a car, although most members own a couple.”
Every member of the club won't be able to make the meet, but Halin said there's good reason for that.
“We have some members overseas,” Halin said. “We even have a guy who lives in Romania.”
While more distant members won't be in attendance, the event will draw a crowd from several states.
Despite the influx of visitors, Halin said the gathering is still an event for the Butler community.“Both cars are an important part of our history,” he said.The American Austin Car Co. was established in 1929 in Butler. It produced about 20,000 American Austin cars before it filed for bankruptcy in 1934. The cars were small in size, measuring less than 9 feet in length, and were equipped with 747cc inline four cylinder engines.The company was reorganized under the name American Bantam in 1935 and resumed production in 1937, producing the newer Bantam cars. While only 6,000 cars were produced, the company has the legacy of building the first Jeep vehicle.The first day of the meet honoring the cars' heritage will consist of registration and a board meeting.A swap meet will start the second day, allowing owners to buy and sell parts and accessories for their cars. A tour of several prominent spots in Butler, including the former factory locations and a Pullman rail car will follow.The day will conclude with a car display for the public at the Butler Days Inn, and a display just for veterans at VA Butler Healthcare.Car judging and a trip to an antique car collection in Zelienople will occupy most of the third day of the festivities.The final day will feature business meetings, technical seminars, and an awards dinner at the Days Inn.Registration is required to participate in the meet's events.For information, call 724-283-1282.
