Willys-Overland
In 1908, former bicycle salesman John North Willys took over the cash-strapped Overland Auto Co. in Indiana, producing the first batch of vehicles in a circus tent.
Willys-Overland were in direct competition with the hugely popular Ford Model T, and between 1912 and 1919 they were in second place to Ford in American car production.
Overlands, like Fords, were also popular in Australia where there was a great need for a reasonably priced car that could cope with the rigours of outback travel.
Overland cars and the Whippet which replaced them in 1926-27 were assembled at the Eagers plant in Newstead, Brisbane, and the Eagers sales organisation promoted the ruggedness of their cars with a wide variety of outback journeys and daring stunt-driving. The Willys-Overland Co. went on to be major participants in the production of the famous military Jeep.
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There are approximately 2,700,000 registered vehicles in Queensland. In 1996, there is one car registered for every two Australians. |
Last updated: 28th May 2008
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