It’s not quite ready to drive yet, but I can pretend to drive this former four-wheel-steer Bantam. Someday I will drive a running one!
On Monday we drove down to Boise where we met up with Josh to see his prized four-wheel-steer Bantam BRC-40, which appears to have been converted to two-wheel-steer by the military. According to Josh, the four wheel-steer-jeeps were horrendous to drive, so they weren’t used that way for long. He’s in the process of gathering the parts he needs to do a full restoration on it.
Two interesting tidbits about the four wheel steer Bantams. In the first photo, the inner sides of the wheel wells were beaten with hammers to accommodate the four-wheel-steer mechanisms.
One way to identify a four-wheel-steer is by shocks mounted inside and in back of the springs like the ones shown below.
Josh has a few other jeeps around as well. I got so busy talking with him that I forgot to photograph the others. Meanwhile, my photographer got chilly, so she returned to the jeep. Zollie accompanied us on our trip, so Ann posed him in front of this jeep.
After spending Monday night in Boise, we drove down to Salt Lake on Tuesday. We picked up the boys and went to eat some delicious food at the Mahider Ethiopian restaurant. Below is the huge plate of food we ordered. To eat, you tear some of the spongy, fermented bread called Injera from the edges of the plate and scoop up food with it.
On Wednesday we went to Kimball Junction to see the Topeka Hiway Mower for sale here. After that we returned to Salt Lake City and took Colter to a movie (Karson was busy with college). Unfortunately, by Wednesday afternoon snow was predicted on the Blue Mountains in Oregon, so we decided to head back Thursday night.
It was a short visit to Utah, but a good one.
Where Josh found this wonderful Bantam treasure, I am very jealous !!!
David, is he having the parts he needs fabricated or is there someone actually selling some sort of “Bantam” parts?
O Dave, I wish I could of remembered in time! One of my friends has a restaurant with an old Chicago meat and deli theme called Cubby’s. It’s so delicious! Hopefully next time. Your friend has some cool jeeps and I love that big “jeep sign” hanging on the wall!
Travel, food, family, AND a Bantam 4 wheel steer: WOW… that’s a great trip!
It sounds like you could have done a whole post on Josh’s jeeps and projects. Very cool.
Dave, do you have any more insight on how Josh obtained the Bantam or the history of it.
Josh started by restoring MBs and GPWs. When I lived in Boise I did a couple deals with him prior to starting eWillys, so we got to know each other that way. When we did our first deal I *think* he was working on his first or second military jeep. Over time he advanced from MBs/GPWs to prototypes whenever he could get one. You might remember the Ford GPA he purchased a while ago (http://www.ewillys.com/2011/11/06/long-island-or-bust/), though that is still a state of project (it’s hard to get GPA parts). Josh is good about taking on a project, finishing it (or trading it) and then going on to the next one.
Steve: Yes, he is having some of the parts fabricated. A guy out of the midwest will create accurate Bantam body parts.
Mark: He got it through patience. Because he has bought and sold other prototypes, he’s become a part of the crowd that knows where projects like this are or might be. I do not have any specific history on this one.
Todd: Do you mean this one in Lehi? http://cubbyschicagobeef.blogspot.com
Looks like the reviews are good. I’ll try to remember to stop in there next time I’m going through the Provo Valley.
Dave great story . My question is answered now regarding Bantam four wheel steer from a few months ago. Great stuff Josh.
That’s the one, boss!
I’m really curious on that 4 wheel steering ( or Quadrasteer ).
I’ve been wanting to build a 4 wheel steering Jeep…. just sounds like fun!
i’ve got a all wheel drive, 4 wheel steer denali. all 4 wheels turn the same way at low speed but front and rear turn opposite way over 35 mph.
You lucky man, Dave! What a fantastic trip! Thanks a lot for sharing it with us.
Something to consider about a four wheel steer jeep. These jeeps looked the same so if you jumped in one and took off you didn’t know you were driving a four wheel steer until you hit the first bend ,,,,,,,,,, and then it was too late.
A couple of days later I finally noticed the rear brake lines , another leftover from 4 wheel steer. thanks Josh for the great pix and info.
Someday on one of your Utah trips, you’ll have to swing by Orem and any hi. I’d like to say hi to the guy that is part of my every morning ritual of coffee and browsing.
Todd….I concur Cubby’s is yummy, my daughter and I love the buffalo blue cheese fries…mmmm :p
Brett. Right?!? Our schedules never seem to mesh. Let’s keep trying!
– Dave