The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-10-04
WlLLYS- OVERLAND BEGINS
PRODUCTION OF NEW CAR

81 one of the greatest American
Undertakings and the work of 3d.
900 people. The new car, which
was delayed by the war, has been
exhaustively tested during the last
Two years.
The car is known as Overland A.
Its production, which marks the cul-
mination of one of the most inter-
esting undertakings in the history of
the automobile industry, is, tribute
to the persistent purpose which has
guided President John N. WHY'S of
the Willys-Overland Company since
he built the first Overland car ten
years ago.
Back of the whole production plan
has been the equally greatly develop
ment of the Willys-OveIland engin-
eering department Heading the de-
! partment are men who played a
/ prominent part in the development
CT the Packard, Cadillac, Pierce Ar
low and other notable cars. The de-
velopment i:of the new car from an
engineering standpoint represents a
concentration of skill as intensive as
the manufacturing skill concentrat-
ed IN its production. Chief amongI
the many engineering features of
distinction in the new car is the new
spring suspension which, it is said,
after two years of exhaustive test,
marks a really notable advance in
motor car riding qualities.
Mere than 10000 employees in the
many slned WHY'S 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 Presi-
dent WHY'S, the entire interval, &C
cording to him, has been devoted to
perfecting details, improving and re-
filming the car, with a view of bring
every part up to the standard Of it's
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
into actual factory production has
required the complete re-edjustment
of the production program of the
WHY'S allied plants.
The size of this achievement is
more readily understood when it is
realized that barely eight. months
ago, the WHY'S Overland was almost
entirely devoted to war production
Following this came the re-adjust-
ment to motor car production which
reached 425 cars day; then a COM
plete new adjustment has been made
to new car program without hold
ing up the production of the current
models on orders from dealers.
Since the armistice was signed
factory routine and methods have
been sylnplifed; especially designed
machinery built and installed for
making the new parts. For the in
surance 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 series of enamel coat
ing and bakings under high temper
ature.
To insure uniformity in the new [
car, new system of inspection was
installed. Expert metallurgists from
the Willys-Overland begin their in
spections and tests at the mills and
this inspection is constant of 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 stea- !
dy flow of the required materials. /
Allied plants have been at work
for months, under pressure, to pro- l
duce the specially designed lighting
system, steering gear, bearings and
other parts essential to the new ov- ]
erland.
But this picture gives only limit 2
ed idea of the tremendous concen-
,rations which are brought to focus b
n the fire production of the new car e
To be fully conceived, these great
special preparations must be seen in
he perspective of the existing struc- {
lure of the WHY'S Overland orgari. 7
.ation of which the Toledo plant r
lone comprises 12O acres of floor
space and thirteen miles of private a