The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1919-09-12
W|LLYS-OvERLAND is
PRODUCING new CAR
Overland ~" Soon to Be Announced
One of Greatest American
Auto Undertakings

Auto Undertakings
cylinder car, held up for the last two
Production of tn new light four
Ecylinde rear, held up for the last two
years because Of war conditions, has
been begun by the Wills Overland
Company, of Toledo, and shipments to
dealers are being made.
The car is known as Overland A..
Its production, which marks the cul-
mination of one of the most interest
ing undertakings in the history of the
automobile industry, is tribute to
the persistent purpose which has
guided President John N. WHY'S, of
the Whlys-overland company since
he built the first Overland ear ten
years ago.
Back of the whole production plan
has been the equally great develop
ment of the Willys-Overland engine
ering department. Heading the de-
partment are men who played a pro-
minent part in the development OF
Packard, Cadillac, Pierce-Arrow and
other notable cars. The development
of the new car from an engineering
standpoint represents a concentra-
ton of skill as intensive as the manu-
featuring skill concentrated in its pro-
duction. Chief among the many en-
cheering features of distinction IN
the new car is the new spring sus-
pension which it is said, after two
years of exhaustive tests, marks
really notable advance in motor car
riding qualities.
More than 10000 employees in the
many allied Willys-Overland indus
trial plants have taken part in the
development and production OF the
new car. Although the announce
ment of the new model was made
more than two years ago by Presl-
dent WHY'S, the entire interval, ac-
cording to him, has been devoted to
perfecting details, improving and re-
fining the car, with view to bring
ing every part up to the standard OF
its riding qualities which are said to
be exceptional.
Plans call for an output that will
greatly exceed that of any single
Overland model yet built. To affect
these plans and bring the new car IN
to actual factory production has re-
ouired the complete re-adjustment or
the production program Of the WHY'S
allied plants.
The size Of this achievement is
more readily understood when 1t Is
realized that barely teight months
ago, the ys-Overland industry was
almost entirely devoted to war pro-
dustion. Following this came the re-
adjustment to motor car production
which reached 425 cars day; then
a complete new adjustment has been
made to a new car program without
holding up the production OF current
models on order from dealers.
Since the armistice was signed, fac
tory routine and methods have been
sinlpliied; specially designed machln-
ery built and installed for making the
new car parts. For the insurance OF
permanently attractive finish, three
batteries of electric ovens, each about
$50 feet long and 40 feet wide, have
been constructed at the factory and
through these the all-steel bodies OF
the new car will pass through a series
of enamel coating and bakings under
high temperature.
To insure uniformity Of steels IN
the new car, a new system of inspec-
ton was installed. Expert metallur-
gists from the Willys-Overland begin
their inspections and tests at the mills
and this inspection is constant at
every operation until the car leaves
the factory. Steel mills, accordingly,
have been organized to meet the strict
Overland requirements for the special
alloys and steels in the new car. Raw
material markets have been organized
to provide for steady flow OF the
required materials.
Allied plants have been at work for
months. under pressure, to produce
the specially designed lighting sys-
ten, steering gear, bearings and other
parts essential to the new Overland.
But this picture gives only lin
tied idea Of the tremendous concen-
tration Of resources which are brought
to focus in the first production of the
new car. To be fully conceived, these
great special preparations must be
seen in the perspective of the exist
ing structure Of the Willys-Overland
organization of which the Toledo
plant alone comprises 100 acres OF