 1929 Model 66B |
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1930 Willys Knight Model 66B news, pictures, and information | ||
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During World War II, Willys and Ford Motors produced the Jeep. They are still being produced by Chrysler-Daimler Motors.Source - Frick Car Museum
 |  |  | Roadster Coachwork: Griswold Motor Body Company Chassis Num: 66B46319 |
| Sold for $220,000 at 2012 Gooding & Company. | |||
In an effort to add more flair to the top of the line, Willys commissioned Amos Northup to design a new body. Northup was chief of design at the Murray Corporation of America. He believed that the automobiles of the 1920's were not very attractive, and that stylish appearance and high comfort were the primary reasons that customers would purchase a car. Northup's efforts resulted in the beautiful plaid-side line of Willys Knights. He was aslo commissioned by other independent auto manufactures and produced such impressive designs as the REO Royale and Graham Blue Streak streamliner.
The car shown here is a 1930 'plaid-side' roadster model 66B equipped with the famous Knight Great Six sleeve-valve engine. The Model 66 represented the top-of-the-line for Willys Knight, and was good for a healthy 87 horsepower. This plaid-side sports the original paint scheme and colors. Note the squares on the doors which are hallmark of the plaid-side.
The Plaidside Roadster, designed by Amos Northrup, is noted for its unique 'Plaid' pattern on the bodysides. The Plaidside Roadster was accompanied in the 66B Series by a Plaidside Phaeton. This Roadster body was manufactured by Griswold Motor Body Company of Detroit, MI. Griswold produced coachwork beginning in the 1980's and the Plaidside Roadster was their last automobile body manufactured prior to their demise in 1932.
 |  |  | Plaidside Phaeton Chassis Num: 5727-A |
This is the New York show car and only survivor.
Designed by Amos Northup in 1929, this rare Phaeton is a registered CCCA Full Classic. The novel paint scheme reflects the 1930 factory built car. From 1903 thru 1933 the Willys Overland Company prouced Willys-Knight, Stearns Knights, Whippets and Overland cars and 400,000 Sleeve Valve Engines. One of the company's final efforts was the WWII Willys Jeep.
 |  |  | Roadster Coachwork: Griswold Motor Body Company |
In 1913, Willys-Overland was the number two selling automobile in America, just behind Ford. That same year, John North Willys was told by his doctor that he had been working far too hard and should either go abroad or to a sanitarium. Not surprisingly, Willys choose Europe, but couldn't stray far from his work. While there, he met Charles Knight, who had invented an engine with sleeve valves rather than the usual poppet valves. Willys wasn't a mechanic or engineer by any means, but he was a proven salesman who saw the sleeve valve's novelty and promotional possibilities. The sleeve valves were much quieter operating, though they had a propensity to burn more oil. Willys-Overland produced more Knight-engined cars than virtually all other manufacturers in the world combined.
Although the Willys-Knight was middle-market range, Willys couldn't resist giving his namesake car an upscale edition. Introduced at the New York Automobile Show, the car was styled by designer Amos Northup, better known for styling the Reo Royale. It was Northup who gave the car its distinctive grid work on the doors (offered on both a roadster and a phaeton), to which the New York press nicknamed 'plaidside' - the name stuck. Roughly 400 Plaidside roadsters and phaetons were produced, of which eleven are known to survive.
The Willys-Knight 'Great Six' 66-B series was created by famed designer Amos Northup, who added some special zing to this line-up by designing a 'plaid side' roadster, phaeton and coupe - three very memorable cars of the early 1930's.
The bodies were built by the Griswold Body Company and shipped to the Willys-Overland plant in Toledo.
Willys-Knight was the most popular car built with the Knight sleeve-valve engine - advertised as 'The Engine You'll Never Wear out' and 'The Engine That Improves with Use.'
This outstanding car was owner-restored (an estimated 95%), including body work - a remarkable achievement. The owner also has two Willys-Knight 'Great Six' 66B phaetons.
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1930 |
| Chrysler Series 77 ($1,625-$1,825) |
| Studebaker President ($1,795-$2,795) |
| Nash Series 490 ($1,625-$2,260) |
| Willys Knight: 1920-1930 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Willys Knight |
| 88-8 Model 66 |
| 1929 Model 66B |
