Willys Model 77 Tourer (Holden Bodied)

The aerodynamic but very small looking Willys 77 sold as the new Whippet replacement from 1933 till 1936 while the company struggled through a receivership. While the styling could be considered advanced, it could only be sold as a four seater as the body width and tread (51 inch compared to Whippet’s 56 ½) was quite narrow and the wheelbase had been brought back to 100 inches. Performance compared to the Whippet was enhanced by the use of a Tillotson downdraft carburetor giving 48 bhp @ 3200 rpm, 8 bhp more than Whippet 96A and reverting back to the old Model 96 bore and stroke of 3 1/8 in x 4 3/8 in. The small aerodynamic body with upgraded engine gave the car 70 mph capability and 30 mpg economy. The clutch was cable operated.

In spite of being one of the cheapest, most economical and smallest of the regular production cars on the American market, it never really stood much chance of becoming a big seller as production, material purchasing, etc was limited to batches of 10,000 as allowed by the bankruptcy court. Prices for the little 4 were from from $395 upwards. The 4 door sedan was around $445 which was 13% more than the comparable 1933 Continental Beacon at $393. Development would have been severely restricted. Even so, a prototype 6 cylinder version called the Willys 99 was advertised at $595 - $695 with optional ($100 extra) sleeve valve motor but never went ahead as the production tooling was not fully completed. Tooling for the Willys 99 side valve engine was however complete and was sold to International Harvester for use in their light pick-up truck. Production totals on the restricted assembly lines over the almost 4 year period was just 67,526 (assuming all the serial no’s were used) - not much when you consider Whippet 96 volumes had averaged 11,000 vehicles per month by late 1928.

The various model years of the Willys 77 can be quickly summarised as follows;

1933 - Headlamps set in front fenders. Hood with 4 vertical doors that open. Chassis No’s 1001 to 13820. Engine No’s 1001 and up.

1934 - Hood with horizontal louvres. New floating power engine mountings. Chassis No’s 13821 to 27055.

1935 - Five circular "Port Hole" vents in hood. Headlamps mounted in apron between fenders and radiator grille (formerly integral with mudguards). Front engine rubber mounting right under water pump. Chassis No’s 27056 to 37700.

1936 - Four point rubber engine mounting. Vacuum Ignition control. Windscreens on closed cars changed from opening to non-opening. Chassis No’s 37701 to 68526.

In Feb 1936, Federal Judge George P. Hahn granted the order freeing the company from its bankruptcy status and new development could once again take place. Restyling and synchromesh brought the car up to date for 1937 as the Willys Model 37 with integral hood and grille hinged from the cowl. The wheelbase remained at 100 inches but the tires were reduced to a 16 inch rim size.

The Willys 77 was released in Australia in April 1933 with the press calling it "a revolutionary car - putting transport on a commonsense basis".

Holden’s Woodville, South Australian plant, produced Sedan, Coupe, Tourer and Roadster. The roadster body style was not available in the USA.

 Willys Model 77 Tourer (Holden Bodied), Netherlands East Indies

Source :

http://www.wokr.org/