In 1937 White Motor Co. introduced a new range of 12-cylinder underfloor engines and new 780-series of buses began to be produced. White built its own bodies for the underfloor-engine buses, all parts were aluminum alloy, including the roof. The greatest success was had with the biggest 40-passenger 788 model and in February 1940 White introduced a 44-passenger 798 model, first orders were for suburban coaches, until Georgia Power Co. took delivery of the first transit types in May 1941. During World War II White built heavy military trucks, the 798s continued until June 1943, with steel body and underframe parts replacing aluminum. The War Production Board allowed White bus production to resume later in 1943. The production of the 798s continued until 1948, at total, 3,244 buses were built.