Team-BHP - Willy's Knight in India

A casual stroll to dad's workshop where they repair bullet proof cars turned out to be a eye opener. hidden inside the workshop was a willy;s knight completely covered. what caught my attention was the wheels, which are made of some wood. car is in storage and is like that for some 10+ years now .
while i resize the pics here is the teaser . most probably this is a 1926 willy's ( going by the tyre design and front grill ) forget to look for information plate in the excitement of catching such a rare beauty..

Mods - starting this thread here since wiki says willy;s night was manufactured between 1914 to 1933 . kindly move if this thread is not appropriate here.

Dear wasif sir

unfortunately i am a complete zero in identifying the engines and all the technical stuff . below is the pic of the engine way . all i can figure out with the help of dad was that this is a 6 cylinder motor .

WOW that is the original sleeve vlave engine and it looks completely original.

What is the story of the car ? is it in running condition ?

Please post pics of the boday and teh das as well.

That is one very rare car in India today. I have seen a couple of Willys Overlands but never a Willys Knight in India.

That engine would be someting no ordinary mechanic would be able to work on .

Post some pics of teh other side of the engine as well. The carb is very unusual

I am not much aware about the history of the CAR. All i know is that car belongs to a former retired DIG of a para military force and he has sort of abandoned it. nobody knows where he is . she has participated a bit in car rally;s previously i guess...so those aware of vintage scene in delhi should be able to identify the history of the car more clearly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by agspins (Post 2501731)

That must be a Willys Knight 70A sedan, sleeve valve engines were i think used in Minervas, Daimlers also.

You are absolutely right about teh other makes that used sleeve valv engines.

I would wait to see pics of the car in detail to correctly identify the precise model year

this thing rotates . no idea why

more clearer shot of foot well.

It's in a pretty amazing and original condition.

The accelerator shoul be between the brake and t clutch ....maybe the foot rest is missing whihc rested on that knob in the middle.

There is also a lever on top of teh advance/ retard lever that gives hand control of the throttle in effect an early form of cruise control

Any idea if the car runs and when it was last used.

Wooden spoked wheels were pretty common in the early an mid twenties.

The spokes are wooden that mate up with a metal hoop that carries the tire.

Dear wasif Sir

There are two point circled in below picture. you mean that one of them is accelerator ( off course pedal is missing ) than what;s the use of other one. I remember me and dad tried to move both and one was connected to accelerator but i not sure for what other one was . we both were not able to trace it ..
I have no idea when the car run last . most probabaly she is lying like that for 10 + yrs now . excellent thing is that she is stored properly and jawans make sure that she is well taken care of .

On a separate Note : - any ideas where can i find the chasis no / info sheet on this car. usually cars from that era come with a metal plate riveted to the chassis . if i can find out that info , most probably we can find out the actual history of the car.

Looking closer at the pics I think the round knob is actually the accelerator and the bottom bracket is where on is to rest ones heel and use the toes to press the accelerator knob. Ther probably was not any pedal required.

Looking at how the brake and the clutch pedal have those little curved pieces on the sides to hold the foot in place I think the same is to be said for that piece below the button.

Not sure where to look for the chassis number.

Look around the net for the Willys Knight club and they will be able to help you.

Send Awini an PM , i think he might have more info on this car as he was discussing a similar car with the AACA members

There is a possibility that this is the only Willys Knight in India today

Nice car there .sushilkumar. And in a pretty well-preserved state too!

Interesting to also note comments about the probability of this being the only Willys Knight in India! Although in general the marque is rare, there are indeed a few more of them around, and the pics of at least one of them are also on the forum here! Please search for delhi-related vintage and classic rally threads, and something about Khimsar also if I remember right, or by the name 'Willys Knight,' and you'll at least find pics of the car that I'm posting here again, having been discussed extensively before!!

This car here belongs/belonged to a prominent collection in Delhi (dunno about it's current ownership, since the collector did plan to trade a part of his collection sometime ago) and is a 1928/29 model. Btw, the DIG of the paramilitary forces that you mentioned - does his surname begin with the letter A?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by .sushilkumar

here are the rest of the pics.. i think this a 1926 make , if one see the design of wooden alloys and front bumper ( i hope they are called bumper only ) .

Another query : - do all the tyre RIMs were wooden at that time. i was really surprised to see them wooden .

there are few more . will post them shortly as well

there were only break and clutch . where is accelerator
<img src="http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=608067"/>

this thing rotates . no idea why
<img src="http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=608068"/>

more clearer shot of foot well.

<img src="http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=608069"/>

Is this car a tourer or a two door rumble seat. There a few cars in india and glad this is also taking a due course of coming on the road.