Other Makes Whippet Six (1927)
for sale
Price: US $1,927.00
Price: US $1,927.00
1927 Whippet Six Speedster
Just Out of a Long Term Collection of Antique
and Classic Automobiles
Very Likely Constructed in this Configuration Prior to World War II
Believed to have been in the eclectic Melvin Hershey Collection at one time
Please Wait for all Pictures to Load - It's
Worth It!
Discovered at last fall's Hershey swap meet
in less than ideal condition and with very little information as to its
origins, this six-cylinder 1927 Overland Whippet is definitely an unusual
one-off creation likely constructed from readily available spare and salvage
parts in the 1930s or 1940s. It is possible that this construction was by
Central Pennsylvania 'bricoleur' and cousin to the chocolate king Milton
Hershey and that further improvements came later in the car's life.
Whatever the case, what we do know is that this
car recently came out of a large collection amassed from a number of area
estates and collectors over many years and that while not as seen in these
photos cosmetically or mechanically when we acquired it, it was tantalizing
enough to buy it and stash it up the hill in my friend Ron Light's garage
last October prior to getting it down to our Savannah shop for some evaluation
and repair.
Fortunately for us, someone recently fitted
four new high-dollar Good Year reproduction tires and tubes that are appropriate
to the period Whippet oak artillery wheels and the stance of this racy Speedster.
The dual spares on the rear are older but would get one home in a pinch
and certainly look the part.
Speaking of the artilleries, when we found the
car, they along with the chassis were all a flaky yellow similar to the
bodywork and had not aged well. We stripped everything below the top of
the frame and refinished said pieces - the wheels are a work of art with
multiple coats of marine spar varnish, while blacking out the chassis really
gave the car an entirely new personality.
It is incredible how the original 1920s wheels
match the beautiful oak employed in the seats and bodywork here. None of
these pieces are from some sort of modern speedster kit body but appear
to have been hand-crafted by someone with real woodworking skills.
We believe that the majority of the woodwork
is newer than the WW2 era but probably no later than the 1970s. The leatherette
covering on the seats and rear trunk seems to date to that period - it is
high-quality and hard wearing stuff.
Needless to say, the fenders and bodywork are
straight and solid throughout with the look of a brass-era Vanderbilt Cup
racer.
The performance of the Whippet 178.3 cubic-inch
6-cylinder is sprightly - Whippets were known for being quite quick as A.J.
'Cannonball' Baker found out when he set a new cross-country average
speed record in 1927 of over 50 miles per hour - impressive given the roads
(and lack thereof) in 1927!
We left the engine compartment pure - apart
from a fluids service and a replacement carburetor (a practically brand-new
Carter BB1 replaced the original Tillotson that was not savable), it's about
as we found it.
This was a fantastic conversion that made our
Whippet a stellar performer.
This wonderfully simple car starts, runs and
drives so easily. As most Overland/Willys/Whippet owners attest, these are
very reliable classics.
The Overland-script lenses are fantastic period
pieces in early vintage barrel-style lamps with a central spot lamp on the
bar.
Above the cowl, a terrific period spotlamp also
lights the way.
This Howe Searchlight is likely a rare accessory
from the prior generation and is older than the original car!
The monocle windscreen is also not a readily
available reproduction item but a real period accessory piece.
The dashboard is simple with nice brass trimmings
and simple instrumentation - an amperes gauge and an oil pressure gauge
that reads nice and high!
The Stewart Warner speedometer does not currently
work and we have not determined why.
The master switch is very simple, ignition and
lights on and off. The two pull knobs to the left are spark advance and
choke.
The battery lives in the box on this side, while
the other side is presently empty.
Brass and nickel go well together on this Speedster!
The fuel tank holds plenty for an afternoon
jaunt.
We discovered quite a number of interesting
documents including a xeroxed parts list and some WOKR issues and other
paperwork in the trunk.
Four wheel brakes are nice to have on this Whippet, as it's quite quick and can be made to stop just as quickly.
Nice and dry under the little Six. You'll find
no rust or excessive grime down here. We have had the wheels and drums off
when we did the chassis detailing.
The transmission is a lot less drippy since
it came in as now it has the right grade and weight of oil in it.
The exhaust is tight and solid from front to
back.
The rear axle and suspension are also nice and
dry.
My partner Joe Frazar took the Whippet to a
Porsche meet yesterday and got more attention than any 911!
Photo Credits Jim Goodlett, Rob Wilson
payment/shipping
This car is being sold by a licensed and bonded
dealer of fine used automobiles located in Savannah, Georgia. Please understand
that this is an unusual 89 year old vintage car hand-built by men and not
gods - and is thus sold as-is, where-is with no implied or stated warranty
or guarantee; please be realistic about your expectations (i.e., if you
expect it to run, start and drive like a late model used car, buy one of
those instead). As stated above in the listing, we have made a significant
effort over the last few months to correct issues that we found with the
car - and with said effort now believe it to be in extremely good health
based on many years of experience with other sports, classic and unusual
cars of all types over many years.
Full payment is due within seven days of auction
close unless
discussed with us in advance of your bid. Your winning bid is a contract
to buy, not just to look or for first right of refusal; the only reason
your contract would be null and void is if it was found that we willingly
misrepresented the car in the above description. If you feel you need to
inspect the car prior to purchase, please arrange and have this inspection
done prior to placing a successful bid, we welcome your visit. Accepted
forms of payment include a cleared certified cheque or wire transfer in
the dealership's bank account, or cash in person on pickup (no cash via
the mail, eBay!). We require that paperwork be completed prior to or at
the time of pickup (should you do this in person) or filed back with us
if done remotely. We do not charge any tax to out of state buyers as this
is something you handle at the DMV or, naturally, other dealers in all 50
states.
Shipping or pickup must occur within fourteen
days of auction close unless
discussed with us in advance of your bid. We are happy to refer you
to one of the high-quality open or enclosed collector car shipping companies
that we use frequently in the normal course of business - and we cannot
stress enough the importance of using such a carrier and not a random transport
broker or carrier you might find online, particularly as this is a unique
vintage car in phenomenal condition. For international buyers, we can carry
the car to the port of Savannah at no charge or to other ports for a nominal
fee, though shipping beyond the U.S. border must be entirely arranged for
and paid by you. Please contact us if you need any assistance with logistics
and we'll be happy to help.
We reserve the right to cancel all bids and
end the auction early at any time during the course of the sale should a
sale occur outside of eBay as the car has been offered quietly through other
channels over the past couple of weeks. We typically do not do this at all
and only when full payment has been received from such a buyer will the
auction be pulled.
Any legal action associated with this sale from
either the buyer or the seller is to take place in the State of Georgia
in the Chatham County Courthouse. The bidder/buyer further agrees that any
legal action will be heard in Chatham County in the State of Georgia. All
legal actions associated with this auction/sale will be governed by the
laws of the State of Georgia and buyer agrees to be responsible for all
legal costs including, but not limited to, court costs, expenses, attorney
fees, cost of process service, and all other costs associated with the normal
course of business.
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
CONCERNS?
E-MAIL ME
OR CALL +1.804.357.4926
(Cell)
update: 2016-02-08
Used |
“SEE ITEM DESCRIPTION” |
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | W5372497 | Make: | Other Makes |
Number of Cylinders: | Six | Year: | 1927 |
Transmission: | 3-Speed Manual Transmission | Model: | Whippet Six |
Body Type: | Speedster | Trim: | Speedster |
Warranty: | None | Engine: | 178.3 Cubic Inch Sleeve Valve Six |
Vehicle Title: | Clear | Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Fuel Type: | Gasoline | Mileage: | 68,200 |
For Sale By: | Dealer | Exterior Color: | Yellow |
Disability Equipped: | No | Interior Color: | Black |