Willys 77
The Willys 77 was an American car first sold in 1933 by Willys-Overland from Toledo. It was a successor to the Willys Whippet.
In the same year Willys-Overland went into receivership but the 77 was still released on the market.
The car had a four-cylinder engine in the front with a 145-cubic-inch capacity which produced 48hp. The wheelbase was only 100 inches and the car was sold at a price below $500, making it the cheapest American car of its era. The car was also highly economical, delivering 25 miles per gallon.
The Willys 77 had a top speed of 65mph, which made it a good base for equipping a racing car. A tuned-up Willys 77 achieved an average speed of 65.2mph in the 24-hour race on the Muroc Dry Lake.
In the years leading up to the United States participation in World War II the model range was continued under the names Willys 37, Willys 38, Willys 48, Willys Speedway and Willys Americar.
When civilian auto production was discontinued in 1942 the car disappeared from the market.
Sources
- Kimes, Beverly Rae, Clark, Henry A.: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942, 1st edition, Krause Publications Inc., Iola (Wisconsin) (1985), ISBN 0-87341-045-9