1926 Willys Knight Model 66

In 1908 the Willys-Overland Company of Toledo, Ohio, was founded when Elmira, New York auto dealer, John North Willys, bought into the Overland Company of Indianapolis to save it from bankruptcy. Overland and its progenitor, Standard Wheel Company of Terre Haute, Indiana, had been making cars since 1903 under a variety of names.

Around 1913 the company was well into the mainstream of auto manufacturing with the modestly priced Overland when it purchased the Edwards Motor Company of Long Island, New York, and moved production of their car to Elyria, Ohio, renaming it Willys-Knight. Production moved to Toledo in 1915. Willys-Overland produced cars under the Willys-Knight brand from 1914 to 1933.

Most innovative was the double-sleeve engine, patented by Charles Knight, which powered these cars, both four- and six-cylinder models. Rather than conventional valves the design featured two close-fitting sleeves around each piston that moved up and down opening and closing intake and exhaust ports. It was an exceptionally smooth engine and as carbon built up tolerances tightened for even more efficiency and less oil consumption.

This car was the prototype for Willys-Overland with a body by Robbins and Buffalo wire wheels. It came with an optional top and side curtains for the rumble seat.

Total production of all body styles - Roadster, Touring, 5-passenger Touring, Sedan, 7-passenger Sedan, Cabriolet, and Brougham - were 28,614.

Willys-Knight automobiles were produced between the 1914 and 1933 model years by the Willys-Overland Company of Toledo, Ohio. These expensive cars were known for their sleeve-valve engines in four- and six-cylinder designs, though they also had a V8 from 1917 to 1919. This engine design was smooth and quiet and allowed for better breathing at higher RPMs, but used more oil and seized easily if improperly lubricated. Production of Willys-Knight automobiles ceased in November of 1932 as the company quit producing high-priced automobiles but continued with the less expensive and notably durable Willys cars.

The 1926 Willys-Knight Great Six Roadster is powered by a 60-horsepower, 237 cubic-inch double-sleeve engine and it sold for $1,845 new. It weighed 3,700 pounds and had a top speed of 70 mph.