Willys-Overland launched its Model 77 in 1933. The car looked like no other car on the road.

In its early form, Overland appeared in 1903 with a single-cylinder runabout, and a two-horsepower was added the next year. By 1907 things were not going well.

Two years later, Willys-Overland came into existence. The six-cylinder Model 34 appeared for 1909 only, but reappeared sporadically for a few years.

Since their introduction in 1905, the four-cylinder engine had not missed a year. The Willys-Knight was introduced in 1914 with a difference. This four-cylinder engine offered improvements in operation and efficiency.

Knight engines were expensive to build, but Willys offered them into 1933. Every Willys between 1920 and 1929 had been a Knight. Six-cylinder engines appeared in 1930 and eight-cylinder engines in 1931.

The 1933 Model 77 was the decendant of the smaller Whippet model. The Model 77's most important feature was its price. The most expensive model cost less than $500.

It was affordable to many in 1933 as the Great Depression was still raging. Top speed of the car was 75 miles per hour, and it returned 30 miles per gallon.

Willys had done a good job at design by avoiding the strangeness that sometimes shows up on small cars. The hood slopes downward, the grill leans rearward and the headlights tip upward.

The four side-engine louvers are large and oddly shaped. The reality is that it was a conventional design. The public either liked the car or tolerated its design.

The car was a success with Willys selling 13,000 Model 77's in the first year. Conditions were bad, and Willys was facing severe financial problems. Willys dropped all other models except for the Model 77. Doing so was the right choice. Keeping this model in production through 1936 gave Willys-Overland 50,000 additional sales.

The car was completely revamped with modern and still unusual styling for 1937 when it became the Model 37. It evolved in design until 1942. World War II halted production of the Model 37.

Willys did not go away as it changed focus to building jeeps for the war effort. A Jeep-like station wagon and the Jeepster were its first cars in postwar years.

In 1952, Willys resumed production of a conventional passenger car with the Aero Series. The Aero was a compact car available initially with a six- and later four-cylinder engine.

With little market to fill, the car disappeared after the 1955 model year. The Willys Model 77 was introduced in 1933 and helped Willys-Overland survive the Depression. Today, Willys cars made prior to World War II are scarce.

Jay O'Dell is a senior master judge and exhibitor of antique show cars. Suggestions for column content or other inquiries can be sent to him at P.O. Box 469, Lavalette, WV 25535.

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