Willys (Willys-Overland) Whippet (Overland Whippet) History

Introduced in 1926, the Whippet was Willys-Overland's light, low-priced small car, launched first as the four-cylinder Model 96 (a six-cylinder Model 98 followed in 1927). For its size it was well specified, with four-wheel brakes, a seven-bearing crankshaft on the six, and full-pressure lubrication.

It was an immediate hit — roughly 110,000 sold in its first year — and helped vault Willys-Overland to third place in US sales behind Ford and Chevrolet by 1928. The Depression then collapsed the low-price market; the Whippet was dropped after 1931, its place taken by the Willys Six and Eight.