Turnarounds in the automobile industry are nothing new. Even before 1910, there were rescue efforts aimed at foundering car companies. A prime example was the Overland Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. Charles Minshall and Claude Cox collaborated in 1903 to build a small runabout they christened “Overland,” appropriate to its intended purpose. A fairly advanced automobile for its day, it had a single-cylinder engine in front, a two-speed planetary transmission, and jump-spark ignition. Sales increased encouragingly, but profits were elusive. By 1907, the company was in a cash-flow crisis.

To the rescue came John North Willys, the company’s Elmira, New York dealer. Unable to get cars from the factory to fulfill his many orders, he went to Indianapolis to investigate. Willys was not only a brilliant salesman, he was also a good manager. Within months he had production humming again, assembling cars in a circus tent because orders exceeded factory space. By 1910, Overland was the third best-selling car in America, after Ford and Buick. In 1912, it rose to second place behind Ford, a position it would hold for seven years.

From 1906, all Overlands had featured four-cylinder engines. For the 1915 season, the company introduced a new Series 82, a top-of-the-line six-cylinder model on a long, 125-inch wheelbase. Power came from a 303 cubic-inch, 50-horsepower L-head engine. Available only as a seven-passenger touring car, it also heralded Overland’s conversion, like most of the industry, to left-hand drive.

This 1915 Overland Model 82 is an early example, carrying a 20 December 1914 assembly date. Acquired by its present owners in 2017, it had been the subject of a full frame-off restoration.

It has been fitted with new wheels, rims and felloe bands, black buttoned leather upholstery, and a top. Painted in correct Overland Blue, it has contrasting red wheels. An ideal candidate for touring, it is worthy of concours competition, or simply enjoyment on the open road.