A SNAPSHOT OF 1916

Progress was a mixed bag for the American automobile business in 1916, way before the Second World War and, admittedly, even before America’s entry in the First. In certain respects, the industry was still transitional in that era of electric-, steam- and gasoline-powered motorcars.

Willys-Overland Co. of Toledo, Ohio, was a strong operator thanks to good management and the high success of Overland car sales. Mainly it was an era of open cars; most of Willys-Overland’s offerings were touring cars. Some roadsters were tossed in (old-timers in the field still tended