The Company That Invented the Jeep Is Building Again.
In 1940, American Bantam® built the first Jeep. In 2026, we’re building rugged American off-road vehicles — assembled in the USA, made with American steel.
The First Jeep
In Butler, Pennsylvania, American Bantam designed and built the first Jeep prototype in just 49 days — delivered to the U.S. Army on time.
Built Again
A modern off-road vehicle built on the original BRC-40 design. Six-point roll cage, 35-inch tires, 2WD/4WD — trail-ready out of the box.
Same DNA. Eighty-six years later. Built better.
Why American Bantam®
Heritage You Can Stand On
Assembled in America
American steel. American workers. American assembly. No asterisks.
Built to Go Anywhere
Six-point roll cage, 35-inch tires, 2WD/4WD. Trail-ready out of the box.
86 Years of History
We invented the Jeep. Now we’re building its successor.
Engineering
Built on the Original
The BRC-40 design that went to war in 1940, re-engineered for the modern trail with the safety upgrades the original never had.
- Six-point roll cage and safety seats
- Modern seat belts and laminated glass
- Military-grade axles and aluminum alloy wheels
- Removable doors and removable roll cage
Trail-Ready
Goes to Market Sooner
As an off-road class vehicle, the BRC-40 skips the long crash-certification road that slows passenger cars — which means it reaches your driveway faster.
- CARB + EPA off-road compliant
- 2WD and 4WD configurations
- 35-inch all-terrain tires standard
- Coil-over rear axle, independent front
Choose The Best
Pick Your Finish
MSRP starting at $TBD*
Patriot Blue
Inside The Build
Details That Earn Their Place
Comfortable Seating
Built for long days on rough ground without giving up a thing.
Purposeful Lighting
Clear, functional lighting designed around how the vehicle is actually used.
Configurable Utility
Spec it for the work you do. Nothing on board that doesn’t earn its keep.
In 1940, a small company in Butler, Pennsylvania built a prototype that changed the course of World War II. They called it the Jeep. The world remembers Willys. We remember who built the first one.Explore Our History →
The Record
Eighty-Six Years, One Story
American Bantam Car Company founded in Butler, Pennsylvania.
First Jeep prototype delivered to the U.S. Army on September 23 — 49 days after assignment.
Army production scaled to Willys-Overland. Bantam got the credit, not the contract.
Bantam-designed jeeps serve in theaters across the globe.
American Bantam Car Corp. re-established.
New vehicle production begins. The company that invented the Jeep builds again.
Leadership
When a company’s name contains the word American, the products they sell in the USA must be built in the USA. No two ways about it.
Charles D. PagleeChairman & CEO, American Bantam®
American-owned. American-assembled. Made with American steel.
We’re bringing manufacturing jobs back where they belong.
Questions
What You’re Wondering
Does reserving cost anything?
Is the BRC-40 street legal?
Where is it built?
When can I expect delivery?
Be Among the First 1,000.
Reserve your place in American Bantam history. No payment required.
No payment required. Fully refundable. We’ll contact you when production scheduling opens.
You’re in. We’ll be in touch.