Willys-Knight Explained

Model Years:1914-1933
Manufacturer:Willys
Assembly:Elyria, Ohio (1913-15)
Toledo, Ohio (1915-1937)
Layout:FR layout
Body Style:4-door sedan
2-door coupe

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.

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.

Seven Willys-Knight vehicles including two large trucks and a touring car were used on the Martin and Osa Johnson photographic safari in the remotest areas of Africa.

Models

ModelPeriodCylindersBore x StrokeDisplacementPerformanceWheelbase
K 1719154 Cyl.4530cc45 bhp (33 kW)
K 1919154 Cyl.4530cc45 bhp (33 kW)30481NaN1
84/84B1916-19174 Cyl.400NaN028961NaN1
88-41917–19194 Cyl.400NaN028961NaN1
88-619176 Cyl.45 bhp (33 kW)31751NaN1
88-81917–19208 Cyl.65 bhp (48 kW)31751NaN1
201920–19224 Cyl.3044cc48 bhp (35 kW)29971NaN1
2719224 Cyl.
641923–19244 Cyl.3044cc400NaN029971NaN1
671923–1924
1925
4 Cyl.3044cc400NaN0
420NaN0
31501NaN1
6519254 Cyl.40 bhp (29 kW)[1] 31501NaN1
661925–19266 Cyl.3874cc60 bhp (44 kW)32001NaN1
7019266 Cyl.2915cc53 bhp (39 kW)28701NaN1
66 A[2] 1927
1928-1929
6 Cyl.
NaNx
3874cc
4178cc
650NaN0
700NaN0
32001NaN1 / 34291NaN1
70 A1927-19296 Cyl.2915cc530NaN028831NaN1
56, 56 A1928–19296 Cyl.NaNx2582cc45 bhp (33 kW)27811NaN1
70 B1929–19306 Cyl.2915cc53 bhp (39 kW)28581NaN1
66 B19306 Cyl.NaNx4178cc87 bhp (64 kW)30481NaN1
871930-19316 Cyl.45 bhp (33 kW)27811NaN1
66 D1931–19326 Cyl.NaNx4178cc87 bhp (64 kW)30731NaN1
95 Deluxe1931-19326 Cyl.2915cc600NaN028701NaN1
66 E19336 Cyl.NaNx4178cc87 bhp (64 kW)30731NaN1

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kimes, Beverly. standard catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996. Krause publications. 0-87341-428-4.
  2. Web site: Willys-Knight History . Willys-Overland-Knight Registry (WOKR) . 2015-08-30 .