The Whippet 98A was the 6 cylinder, (50 bhp @ 3000 rpm) replacement
for the Whippet 98 and equivalent in body styling to the 4 cylinder Whippet
96A. The extra 9 ¼ inch wheelbase over the 4 cylinder (ie
112 ½ inches) is observable in the hood length. Brake surface
area was 200 ¼ inches, 10 square inches more than on the 96A.
Cowl lamps were included. Advertising highlighted the 7 bearing crankshaft.
Top speed was quoted as being more than 65 mph.
Production of the Whippet 98A began on November 9th ,1928 ready
for the January 1st, 1929 introduction and finished on September 30th,
1930. Out of a total of 82,207 only 8,191 or around 10% were built
in 1930. It’s replacement was not a Whippet, but designated a Willys
6, Model 98B which appeared on the market in March 1930. The 98B
used the same stroke of 3 7/8 in, but bore was increased by 1/8 in to 3
¼ in thus giving a new 195 cu in displacement. Compression
ratio was increased to 5.25 and gave a much improved 65 bhp.
However the Whippet 98A couldn’t be called underpowered as in a 24
hour endurance run on the Indianapolis Speedway, one averaged 56.52 mph
- a record for cars of it’s class.
1929 | USA | * 52001 - 121592 |
1929 | Canada | C-2003 - C-6874 |
1930 | USA | * 121593 - 129783 |
* Notes: Vehicles with the following
blocks of serial numbers were assembled in the W.O. Los Angeles plant;
62001 - 62300, 77001 - 77500, 91001 - 92668, 121001 - 121456, 129768 -
129783.
Serial Number blocks 92669 - 93000 and 118001 - 118116 were never used.
Coach (5 passenger) | $695 | Jan 1929 |
Coupe - Commercial (2 passenger) | $695 | Jan 1929 |
Coupe - Rumble Seat (4 passenger) | $725 | Jan 1929 |
Roadster (4 passenger Sport Deluxe) | $850 | Jan 1929 |
Sedan (5 passenger) | $760 | Jan 1929 |
Touring (5 passenger) | $635 | Feb 1929 |
Sedan - Deluxe 4 window | $??? | After S.N. 78078 |
Sedan - Deluxe 6 window | $850 | June 28, 1929 after S.N. 108866 |
Landau Sedan | N/A | Drawings exist, but it never reached prod’n |
Tourer | £275 | Peter Pan Blue, Sandoval Green |
Roadster | £283 | Peter Pan Blue, Sandoval Green |
4-door Sedan | £360 | Suburban Blue, Dune Brown |
Wire Wheels | £12 12s |
Tourer |
622
|
Roadster |
80
|
Sedan |
275
|