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Willys-Knight, a 1932 Rare Car Existing in the UK

Willys-Knight, a 1932 Rare Car Existing in the UK
Willys-Knight is an automobile that was produced between 1914 and 1933 by the Willys-Overland Company of Toledo, Ohio.

John North Willys purchased the Edwards Motor Car Company of Long Island, New York, in 1913, moving the operation to Elyria, Ohio, where Willys owned the plant that had previously manufactured the Garford automobile. Production began with a four-cylinder model which was priced in the $2,500 price range. The Willys-Knight employed a Knight sleeve valve engine, generally four- and six-cylinder models.

In 1915, Willys moved assembly of the Willys-Knight to Toledo, Ohio, but continued manufacturing the engines in Elyria. Willys-Knight introduced a sleeve-valve V8 in 1917, which was sold until 1919.

Willys-Knight enjoyed a production run average of 50,000 cars per year after 1922. Willys also purchased Stearns-Knight of Cleveland, Ohio, which also used a sleeve valve Knight Engine, making that marque the crown jewel in his growing automotive empire. In 1925, 250 cars were produced per day.

Willys-Knight production ended in November 1932 (model year 1933) when the company, in receivership, stopped building higher priced cars, and instead focused on the manufacture of the inexpensive but durable Willys 77. The Knights patents expired in 1932 and these were the last sleeve valve automobile manufactured in the US.

The different models produced over the years are as below:

Models

Model Period Cylinders Displacement Performance Wheelbase
K 17 1915 4 Cyl. 276.4 cu in (4,530 cc) 45 bhp (33 kW)  
K 19 1915 4 Cyl. 276.4 cu in (4,530 cc) 45 bhp (33 kW) 3,048 mm (120.0 in)
84/84B 1916-1917 4 Cyl.   40 hp (30 kW) 2,896 mm (114.0 in)
88-4 1917–1919 4 Cyl.   40 hp (30 kW) 2,896 mm (114.0 in)
88-6 1917 6 Cyl.   45 bhp (33 kW) 3,175 mm (125.0 in)
88-8 1917–1920 8 Cyl.   65 bhp (48 kW) 3,175 mm (125.0 in)
20 1920–1922 4 Cyl. 185.8 cu in (3,044 cc) 48 bhp (35 kW) 2,997 mm (118.0 in)
27 1922 4 Cyl.      
64 1923–1924 4 Cyl. 185.8 cu in (3,044 cc) 40 hp (30 kW) 2,997 mm (118.0 in)
67 1923–1924
1925
4 Cyl. 185.8 cu in (3,044 cc) 40 hp (30 kW)
42 hp (31 kW)
3,150 mm (124.0 in)
65 1925 4 Cyl.   40 bhp (29 kW)[1] 3,150 mm (124.0 in)
66 1925–1926 6 Cyl. 236.4 cu in (3,874 cc) 60 bhp (44 kW) 3,200 mm (126.0 in)
70 1926 6 Cyl. 177.9 cu in (2,915 cc) 53 bhp (39 kW) 2,870 mm (113.0 in)
66 A 1927
1928-1929
6 Cyl. 236.4 cu in (3,874 cc)
255.0 cu in (4,178 cc)
65 hp (48 kW)
70 hp (52 kW)
3,200 mm (126.0 in) / 3,429 mm (135.0 in)
70 A 1927-1929 6 Cyl. 177.9 cu in (2,915 cc) 53 hp (40 kW) 2,883 mm (113.5 in)
56, 56 A 1928–1929 6 Cyl. 157.6 cu in (2,582 cc) 45 bhp (33 kW) 2,781 mm (109.5 in)
70 B 1929–1930 6 Cyl. 177.9 cu in (2,915 cc) 53 bhp (39 kW) 2,858 mm (112.5 in)
66 B 1930 6 Cyl. 255.0 cu in (4,178 cc) 87 bhp (64 kW) 3,048 mm (120.0 in)
87 1930-1931 6 Cyl.   45 bhp (33 kW) 2,781 mm (109.5 in)
66 D 1931–1932 6 Cyl. 255.0 cu in (4,178 cc) 87 bhp (64 kW) 3,073 mm (121.0 in)
95 Deluxe 1931-1932 6 Cyl. 177.9 cu in (2,915 cc) 60 hp (45 kW) 2,870 mm (113.0 in)
66 E 1933 6 Cyl. 255.0 cu in (4,178 cc) 87 bhp (64 kW) 3,073 mm (121.0 in)
 
Engine

The Internal Combustion Engine was designed by American Charles Yale Knight.  The vehicle brand Willys-Kniwhg gets the word Knight from the engine developer. The engine had two cast iron sleeves per cylinder and was a unique deisgn for an engine of  that era.  55 to 60 was a comfortable speed for the car. The breathing of the engine was helped through the ventialtion doors on wach side of the hood.

Overall the car had several weak points but the engine was the highlight. European automakers such as Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, Panhard, Voisin and Minerva were all quick to recognise the value of the engine and utilise its benefits. 

In a carryover from horse and buggy days, the design of the clutch and brake pedals were a novelty and had stirrup-like edges to keep muddy shoes from slipping off the pedals.

Design

Amos Northrup, a premier automotive designer of the era, was hired to put some pizazz into the Willys-Knight line of cars. Amos redesigned the entire lineup. The new styling was accentuated by bold three and four color combinations, including such colors as lime green, yellow and orange. These were not your everyday colors 70 years ago. The Body Styles available were a 4 door sedan and a 2 door coupe with a FR Layout (Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive Layout) The car had a capacity of 5 passengers.

The top of the line was the Great Six, Model 66B which had colored fenders while most of the other cars on the road had black fenders. The Willys-Knight also featured unique pinstriping in a rectangular pattern on the side panels. That unusual striping gave rise to the nickname "Plaidside."

The center of the three-spoke steering wheel is a study in 1930 complexity. Like every other contemporary car, pushing the button honks the horn. Lifting the button up, however, activates the starter while twisting the button one notch turns on the parking lights. The second notch illuminates the 14-inch Glolite headlights.

Oak bows support the top while glass wing vents direct the air away from beating the occupants. Both doors feature pockets in the leather upholstery. In addition, on the back of the seat is a pouch to hold the side curtains.Above the windshield is a single wiper, which was vacuum-powered.

A 1932 Rare car exisiting in the UK

Out of about 0.8 million cars manufactured between 1914 to 1932, very few vehicles are available now.

Certified by the Willys Knight Club of America , this is the only Silver Anniversary model in existence today.  (As per last update in 2014) 

The details of the cars are as below:


Model: SILVER ANNIVERSARY LIGHT 6 SECOND SERIES
Year: 1932
Color: Green
Mileage: 150
Engine: LIGHT 6 TWIN SLEEVE VALVE
Trim: 5 WINDOW COUPE
Interior Color: Brown
Vehicle Title: Clear


Asking Price : $28,000

Take a look at the different models in detail on this link : http://www.ranker.com/list/full-list-of-willys-knight-models/reference?var=4&utm_expid=16418821-201.EEIZkBszS3O1rZiBcoCRjg.1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.in%2F

YouTube Video of a Willys Knight in motion : https://youtu.be/jv-sZTStiL8




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