In photos: Thousands of Jeeps celebrate 75 years

2015 marks the Bantam Jeep’s 75 th birthday. To celebrate, the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival kicked it up a notch in Butler, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the Bantam Jeep.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival made history again by getting back into the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest parade of Jeeps in the world. It crushed all previous Guinness World Records with 2,420 Jeeps set on the opening day of the festivities, June 12, 2015. The festival broke the first record on August 12, 2011 with 1,106 Jeeps. But they lost the title briefly in April 2015 after a Jeep parade in Daytona Beach, Fla. had 1,846 Jeeps. Butler now has the title and bragging rights again.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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Old, new, stock and modified Jeeps joined the Guinness World Record parade. Even my tester, a bright yellow 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4 (base $35,395; as tested $45,250) was right at home - one of a few dozen Jeeps donning Ontario license plates that joined the record-breaking feat. It took several hours to drive a few kilometres into downtown Butler for the official tally. Thankfully, an optional automatic transmission ($1,495) was an added bonus and a welcome break from shifting gears when crawling along the route.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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A burst of heavy showers, thunder, and lightning couldn’t keep Jeep enthusiasts at bay for the “Jeep Invasion”, which followed the parade, in downtown Butler. Thousands of Jeeps including Willys, YJs, Cherokees, and Wagoneers took over the streets of the downtown core. Jeeps as far as the eye can see, stretched more than one kilometre. Military Jeeps and CJs overflowed onto side streets. Traffic was diverted from the area to make room for the crowds of fans and the Jeeps.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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The Bantam, the grand-father of all Jeeps, was invented, developed, and produced by the American Bantam Car Company, which was based in Butler, Penn. The Bantam evolved into the Willys MB. It was used by the U.S. Army in World War II. Many military Jeeps like this vintage 1945 Willys MB 4x4 with its 60 hp 4-cylinder L-head engine mated to a 3-speed transmission stole the show and held its own against newer, modified Jeeps.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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Cooper’s Lake Campground in nearby Slippery Rock was transformed into a massive Jeep playground filled with giant mud pits, rock crawling exercises, hill climbing and descending trails, log traversing, and obstacle courses.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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For non-adventure seekers who wanted to relax and take it slower, several how-to-clinics - such as Tires 101 by BFGoodrich, LED lighting by Rigid Industries, and Engine Conversions by Hauk Designs - were also up for grabs.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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By far, one of the hottest attractions on the playground was rock climbing. All types of modified Jeeps tackled the terrain and tested their off-roading poweress with several instructors nearby to guide their every move. A few prerequisites for Jeeps venturing on the rock crawl and mud pits: working 4WD, tow points, seat belts for every passenger and a spare tire, just in case of any mishaps. Some made it out unscathed...Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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Others weren’t as lucky. This Jeep Rubicon needed more than a helping hand. Literally stuck between a rock and a hard place, a bulldozer had to lift it to safety not once, but twice. Luckily, the third time was the charm, making it gingerly across the jagged rocks without any more setbacks. The modified Jeep finally conquered the course, but it took more than an hour to make the grueling trek. This exercise was definitely not for the faint of heart.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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Long queues were inevitable, but definitely worth the wait. A scenic drive following a guide along an old logging road to nearby Moraine State Park was spectacular. Along the 45-minute route, we caught glimpses of Lake Arthur and drove along untraveled parts of the park, which aren’t usually accessible by car. Other adventures included a mystery road rally, a glacial interpretive driving tour, and a historic travels tour through Butler County.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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Some Jeeps are strictly for show – no off-roading allowed. This classic 1951 Willys Overland owned by Joe Clemente of McKeesport, Penn. was part of the Show ‘n Shine competition. Owners shine up their Jeep and show it off for a chance to win trophies in 15 different categories including Bantam Civilian Trailer, FC Trucks, Jeepster, CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7, CJ-8, Comanchee/Wagoneer/J-Series Trucks, and JK Unlimited Jeep.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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The festival isn’t just fun and games. It’s competitive, too. This vintage 1947 CJ2A owned by Cody Feyock of Windber, Penn. competed in the Ruff ‘n Tuff competition. Several categories including the Jeep with the Most Mud, Most Extreme, Best Chick Jeep, Best Beater Jeep and Best Trail Ready Jeep were just a few classes in the competition.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

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