1928 Whippet
edited by David Barth, 10 January 2009.
Courtesy The Forney Museum of Transportation at 4303 Brighton Blvd., Denver,
Colorado. Photos were taken in January 2009.
The Whippet was built by the Willys Overland Motor Company. Whippet cars were only produced for three years.
Production of the first and most popular of the Whippets, the 4 cylinder Model 96, of which this car is an example,
commenced Wednesday 12th May 1926, ready for public introduction in the Eastern and Midwest United States on Saturday,
26 June 1926. The West had to wait a week later and Saturday July 3rd was their introduction date. Overseas releases
followed quickly afterwards.
The publicity surrounding its launch was a such a success that in the first three weeks of its introduction in the
United States, approximately 14,580,000 people visited dealer showrooms to see the new car: a light, fast, economical,
and stylish, yet inexpensively priced, car.
Features of the car include 4-wheel brakes, a water pump to cool the engine, and pressurized lubrication, all strong
technical features for the time. Styling was said to be European, a compact, yet roomy body, low center of gravity,
good looks, performance, and economy.
Until January 1927, the car had Overland hub caps and an Overland radiator badge. After that, these items were given
the Whippet name.
There were a host of changes during the production run of the Whippet 96. Some were cosmetic but most were to reduce
production costs. These changes can help in dating a vehicle and assist in identifying which parts are the correct
ones to fit but the most obvious ones were the external ones listed below.
- 1926 cars have "Overland" badging on hub caps and radiator.
- 1927 cars have "Whippet" badging and beaded fenders. Closed cars have an extended roof line for visor.
- 1928 cars have "Whippet" badging and plain or "full crown" fenders. Closed cars have a cadet or "military"
style of visor.
The wheelbase is 100 1/4 inches, only slightly longer than a Model T Ford, but the 3 1/8 bore x 4 3/8 stroke
(2.2 litre) engine produced 30 brake horsepower, and the resultant performance of this lively little car may
have influenced Henry Ford to announce his Model A in late 1927.
Production of the Whippet Model 96 ended on 3rd December 1928. Its replacement was the Whippet Model 96A. The
96A had a 3/8 inch longer stroke but it was the basic Model 96 engine with the same 3 1/8 bore x 4 3/8 stroke
that powered the Willys 77 during the depression years and the Willys Jeep for World War 2.
US Chassis Serial Numbers and Approximate Production Dates:
- 1 to 110344: May 12, 1926 to December 1927
- 110345 to 316405: January 1928 to December 3, 1928
