Socked away in 1970, this never-restored Willys sat idle while decades slipped away. Someone’s dream of restoring this handsome two-door sedan never came to pass, and now the 1932 Willys-Knight 6-90 in Medway, Massachusetts comes to auction here on eBay. At least five bidders have the sidelined classic’s market value over $1500 with about a week to go. The seller-referenced “6-90” refers to this vehicle series, but not a specific body type as you’ll find 6-90 roadsters and four-doors as well as this two-door. I found Willys-Knight cars with both the horizontal engine cover slats and this car’s rectangular vent doors, but I did not find any Willys-Overlands with these rectangular doors, not to say that’s conclusive. Suffice to say that vehicles produced by Willys-Overland are less fully-documented than more common vehicles of the day.
The central engine-turned instrument panel presents four circular dials, while some 1932 models have interesting art-deco semi-trapezoids. What looks like original upholstery is about shot, but offers a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Large rear glass and a slight rake to the roof make for sporty lines similar to the popular Fords of this era. According to OZRods, this body is the same whether two or four doors, so, like a Datsun 510, you can convert one into the other. That site also shows a similar restored two-door sedan.
The Pike’s Peak-winning Willys inline six cylinder makes 65 HP (the same as Ford’s V8) according to wokr, and features a central distributor and an updraft carburetor, common in early cars. Thanks to Lov2xlr8 for some details. The 193 cid six does not run and this vehicle comes in “as is” condition with a 1932 “Sworn Statement of Ownership” in lieu of title.
Model year 1932 represented Willys-Overland’s 25th 50th or silver anniversary, with the Silver Streak engine which went away after 1933 as Ohio-based Willy-Overland restructured subsequent to financial strains of the Great Depression. What future do you see for this interesting six cylinder two-door?
Wow this one was utilized as the odometer is at 35,909. I guess the lil old lady drove a couple hundred miles to church on Sunday.
This looks like a great starting point to restore with the body and interior intact.
Good luck with the sale!
Sooo-we can’t ascertain whether this is a Knight engine?
The water jacket stops halfway down the block. Nowhere to fit the sleeves and associated sleeve crank operating system. Hence, most likely not a Knight.
This is quite a find. From everything I’ve read and been told, these were a contender and it’s kind of surprising that they didn’t do as well as they could have.
I’m fairly certain that this is a variant of the Whippet engine, which morphed into the 213/233 CID engine that International first bought from Willys (Binder’s first pickups were built by Willys) then improved on it to eventually become the Green Diamond.
I had a customer drop by to look for parts for his IH D-1 pickup. Found starter and ignition parts, carburetor parts, a timing chain and a few odds and sodds. Interesting that copies of the blueprints for the wooden frame for the cab are available through some Willys groups. I’m curious if a blueprint is available for the cars?
I might add that a guy in our local club restored a ’29 Whippet which got flooded one spring. He was able to find/fabricate everything he needed to get the body back in shape.
Looks like it is NOT a Knight sleeve valve engine. Too bad, I would be very tempted to bid, simply for the fun of playing with a sleeve valve engine. Read lots about them over the years but never had a chance to touch one.
Todd, just a question regarding the Willys-Overland chronology noted. My impression is that 1932 would have been Willys-Overland’s 20th anniversary, not 50th, as it was formally created in 1912 (following John Willys’ acquisition of Overland a few years earlier). Perhaps my understanding is incorrect…
Thank you, NHDave. I corrected it above. I’ll now don my Dunce Cap and face the corner for 25 minutes. Even the page I linked there clearly shows 1907 – 1932. https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/jeep/32will1.html
My Dad restored a 1933 Willys Knight 66-E, the last known “Knight” Willys ever made. It was 5 serials numbers from the end, and the other 4 are unaccounted for. The Sleeve Valve engine was tough to work on, once seized, and the sleeves are prone to breaking where the short connecting rods attach. For those interested, his cars were featured in Automobile Quarterly.
thnx geomechs, was just abt to show it in its real form.
Medway has all kinda nooks’n crannies. Not surprised it turned up there.
Past most demographics for the purchase (we’re now in the cars/trucks/bikes of mid 90’s for most ‘classics’ sought) this is TWO gens back. I like some Willys (coup/sedan) like the Areo (compact sedan) & Tourer, the latter copied by Wolwo PV 444/544. Hopin a buyer is found and one who restores not heavily mods (I know we probably wont get the details like cloth covered wires, etc).
I believe the Volvo that was inspired by the Willys Aero was the Amazon (122 in the USA).
Todd, A great write up!!! This is an excellent vehicle to restore. DO NOT even think restomod!!!!!!!! It looks like everything but the front fenders are there. And they could possibly be in the surrounding garage???? I hope it finds a good home.
They have the fenders. Look at the next to last picture.
Cool car. A time capsule. I would just clean it up and get it running and not change a thing.
My brother and I have a 21 Model T that is completely original. It is definitely worn but entirely original. When we show it, it always gathers more lookers than the over restored versions in the same show.
That Dash insert is an icon!!!!!!!!!!!
Clean it up and get it running. Throw the front fenders back on and drive it as is.
@PHIL The next to last picture i see is the motor ???????
Look on the ebay listing. The fenders are shown in the next to last picture there. The seller also mentions in the description that they are included. Sorry, I should have been clearer on that.
I believe that is just a Willys. The “Knight” on the end of the name indicates the use of the sleeve valve engine. It had individual cylinder heads, and a split block. That appears to be the Willy “poppet” valve engine. There is a group called the Willys Knight Overland Registry who could give real good insight to that car if anyone is interested. https://www.wokr.org/gallery/gallery.htm