1929 Overland Whippet 98A Series Sedan
"The Whippet sold 110,000 units in its first year of production, pushing Willys Overland to third place in 1928 just behind Chevrolet and Ford. A 6 cylinder model set a 24 hour endurance record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with an average speed of 56.2 mph. This run established a new American speed record for stock cars priced under $1,000. Willys Overland also demonstrated the Whippet's climbing ability by running the car over hurdles, much like the demonstration hills for Jeep at the Philadelphia International Auto Show." Thx to ontelauneeAACA.com
For consignment, a 1929 Overland Whippet 98 series sedan with a title verified 35,583 actual miles, presenting in original, unrestored but running condition. The car was named for the Whippet breed of dog, a small cousin of the Greyhound, diminutive, fast and high energy.
Exterior
Black paint is now characterized by prevailing patina and plenty of surface rust and cracking paint that shows the car's age, nearly 100 years old! The unique painted trim that widens as it tracks across the shoulder line of the car and frames the rear panel, was possibly a medium brown, now heavily faded and contrasting with the black paint while the once gleaming radiator shell is also brown, this time colored by surface rust which also covers the light bar. In detailed attention to marketing, Whippet is cast into the bumper brackets and the metal plate on the radiator is still readable and also relaying the model name. Though oxidized and pitted, the Motometer is in place and intact and the housing on the cowl lights match its condition. 19-inch wooden spoke wheels are all there along with a windshield visor, solid rubberized roof, and epic stop light in back. As noted, metal and paint would need a full restoration if show quality was your goal, but the bones are here.
Interior
Vintage but aged, we find brown mohair door panels with hardware that hint at the deco era to come and topped with a black sill. The stuffed bench seat in front extends from B-pillar to B-pillar, worn in places and bordered entirely with brown piping. In back, another bench with suicide door access, with mohair creating a cozy cavern of soft brown, with a robe bar in front of passengers for convenience. An elegantly simple 4 spoke steering wheel is in front, and its wooden rim is smoothed from use but clean and intact. The seemingly revolutionary knob in the middle is Overland's "Finger Tip Control" which sounds the horn, turns lights on at various levels, and engages the starter when pulled. The dashboard has a patina of its own and houses the center gauge cluster in a brass plate along with the choke and spark levers. A simple shifter rises from the floor that's covered with high pile tan carpet while the headliner is constructed of stitched mohair.
Drivetrain
Other than some flashy red wires, an open air filter, and the clean carburetor, the engine presents in original condition and is a 178.3ci L-head inline 6 cylinder rated at 23.5 horsepower, and in 1929, half horsepower measurements were counted! It has an updraft 1-barrel carburetor and is married to a 3-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear axle where it finds 4.56 gears. Mechanical drum brakes are the standard in 1929 and are found front and rear on this car.
Undercarriage
Surface rust and oil, as expected are prevalent underneath but we're not seeing the dangerous, corrosive rust you would find if this had been stored outside. The simplicity underneath is refreshing and a newer looking single exhaust runs through a glasspack muffler before exiting near the rear-mounted spare tire. Naturally, leaf springs are utilized front and rear on this early car.
Drive-Ability
With the right combo of ignition, spark, and choke, the L-head fires up and we shift the 3-speed into gear and roll along the test loop at a conservative speed where we find a smooth running engine and comfortable ride and full functionality. Even the external gas gauge located on the back of the car works as it should! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
More than 200,000 Whippets, touted for their small size and quickness, were built in 1929, right before the Great Depression. Willys Overland would suffer during the following years but was revived to build Jeeps for World War II. This example is a great candidate for restoration, but you can also drive it as is and still get plenty of conversations started. Though engraved on the exterior of the cars, you'll still get guesses. Ford? Chevy? Buick? Nope, it's a Whippet!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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